The Hidden Cost of Cheap TVs
Screens have gotten inexpensive—and they’re watching you back.
TL;DR
- Early TVs were large, expensive, and built like furniture, intended to last for decades.
- Today's TVs are significantly cheaper and offer much higher resolution, with prices defying logical deflation compared to other goods.
- Manufacturing improvements, such as efficient cutting of 'mother glass' for panels, have drastically reduced component costs.
- Intense competition in the TV market, with new companies entering and established ones lowering prices, further contributes to affordability.
- A major reason for cheap TVs is 'post-purchase monetization' through smart TV features that track viewing habits and display advertisements.
- Smart TV operating systems generate substantial revenue from advertising and data sales, allowing manufacturers to sell hardware at or near cost.
- The data collected by smart TVs can influence advertising not only on the TV but also on other connected devices and online platforms.
- The shift to cheaper, easily replaceable TVs contributes to the growing problem of electronic waste.