Creating an Ad-Free Android TV Experience

Google TV, the standard interface on most Android TV devices, displays a promotional banner that persists even in apps-only mode, with no settings to disable it. The author developed a configuration combining four applications to eliminate ads and improve the interface: Projectivy Launcher replaces the home screen with a customizable apps-focused display, SmartTube provides ad-free YouTube viewing with SponsorBlock integration, Wholphin serves as a Jellyfin client, and Button Mapper remaps the remote so the YouTube button launches SmartTube. This setup has been deployed on two Chromecasts with Google TV and a Hisense TV.

Implementation involves using command-line configuration tools. The process requires enabling developer options, setting up wireless debugging, disabling the stock launcher, removing the official YouTube app, configuring accessibility services for the new apps, and adjusting animation speeds. The article provides specific steps for each stage of the setup, with all changes fully reversible through standard commands if needed.