Telly’s dual-screen TVs, offered for free in exchange for user data and ads, have struggled with delivery. The startup’s original promise to ship 500,000 units in summer 2023 fell short, with only about 35,000 TVs in homes by late 2025, according to an investor note.

Shipping problems, including a 10 percent breakage rate with FedEx, have hampered its direct-to-consumer model. Telly’s business model relies on a mandatory survey and non-removable ads on its secondary screen, which displays content even when the primary display is off. The company recently switched to a new logistics partner.

Despite scaling issues, the ad-centric model is generating notable revenue. The investor note cited $22 million in annualized revenue for Q3 2025, equating to roughly $52 per TV per month. This figure surpasses the per-user ad revenue reported by Roku and Vizio, suggesting strong advertiser interest in its captive audience.