YouTube denies reports of 90-second unskippable ads on TV app

• Photo from Pixabay

YouTube has denied claims that it is rolling out 90-second unskippable ads on its TV app, following viral posts that triggered backlash from viewers online.

Responding to the reports, TeamYouTube said: “YouTube does not have a 90-second non-skippable ad format. This isn’t something we are testing right now. We’re looking into this further.”

The clarification comes after screenshots circulated showing what appeared to be extended ad countdowns on TV screens, leading users to believe the platform was introducing longer, non-skippable ad formats.

While YouTube maintains that no such format exists, the company has not yet explained what caused the reported experience. It leaves open the possibility of a glitch, a bundled ad sequence, or a misinterpretation of how ads are displayed on TV devices.

The incident highlights ongoing user sensitivity around ad load on connected TVs, where longer viewing sessions often come with more aggressive ad delivery compared to mobile or desktop platforms.