Your Face in AI Ads: DirecTV’s 2026 Screensaver Plan
▼ Summary
– DirecTV will show AI-generated screensaver ads on its Gemini streaming devices starting in early 2026 through a partnership with ad company Glance.
– Gemini devices are available as both a USB-powered Android TV device (Gemini Air) for internet customers and a set-top box for satellite setups.
– The AI screensavers will activate after 10 minutes of TV inactivity, replacing the current default Google wallpapers.
– Users can create personalized AI avatars by scanning a QR code, which can be dressed up to trigger product recommendations via reverse-image searches.
– Glance, owned by InMobi, has a history of deploying ads on lock screens and smart devices, including a recent AI feature on Samsung Galaxy phones.
DirecTV is set to introduce AI-generated screensaver advertisements on its Gemini streaming devices starting in early 2026, according to a recent announcement from its advertising partner, Glance. This move marks a significant shift for the satellite TV provider as it seeks new revenue streams amid ongoing customer retention challenges. Gemini device owners, including those using the satellite-free Gemini Air model, will encounter these personalized ads whenever their television remains inactive for a brief period.
Currently, Gemini streaming hardware displays default Google wallpapers during screen idle times. Under the new arrangement, Glance’s AI-driven content will activate after just ten minutes of inactivity, replacing the existing imagery. The Gemini Air, a USB-powered Android TV adapter, provides access to live broadcasts and popular streaming applications without requiring a traditional satellite link. DirecTV began distributing these devices to its internet subscribers in 2023, initially launching a set-top box version compatible with satellite systems.
Glance, the company behind this initiative, previously gained attention for implementing AI-generated lock screen advertisements featuring users’ own photographs on Samsung Galaxy smartphones. The Indian firm has recently expanded its advertising platform to include smart television operating systems. Prior to leveraging generative AI technology, Glance delivered targeted ads and tracking capabilities through mobile lock screen interfaces that also displayed news updates and other engaging content. The company operates under InMobi, a mobile advertising network with a documented history of monitoring users without their explicit knowledge.
The upcoming interactive screensavers will enable viewers to generate personalized AI avatars by scanning an on-screen QR code. Once created, these digital representations can navigate through various AI-generated scenarios. Users will have the option to customize their avatar’s appearance with different virtual outfits, enabling Glance’s system to suggest actual products for purchase through reverse-image search technology.
Rajat Wanchoo, Glance’s Group Vice President of Commercial Partnerships, revealed that the company maintains access to over a trillion product SKUs that can be matched with AI-generated imagery. While the advertising content will appear on television screens through Gemini devices, any resulting transactions will need to be completed using separate hardware such as smartphones or computers.
(Source: Ars Technica)
