Home / Business and Economy / Free TV Startup Telly Faces Shipping Woes, Low Adoption
Free TV Startup Telly Faces Shipping Woes, Low Adoption
23 Jan
Summary
- Telly shipped only 35,000 sets by Q3 2025, far below projections.
- Ten percent of Telly's shipments reportedly arrived broken.
- Customers reported delayed shipments and broken replacement TVs.
Telly launched in 2023 with a unique business model, offering free dual-screen televisions in exchange for viewers watching continuous advertisements on the lower screen. The company initially projected shipping 500,000 screens by the summer of 2023. However, recent reports from late 2025 indicate a severe shortfall, with only 35,000 sets in homes by the end of the third quarter.
Further challenges have plagued Telly's operations, particularly concerning product delivery. The startup reportedly experienced a high rate of damage, with an estimated 10 percent of televisions sent via FedEx arriving broken. This issue has been corroborated by customer complaints detailing significant delays and problems with receiving intact replacement units, casting doubt on the viability of their ambitious plan.
