Telly inks partnership with DirecTV Stream for free TVs

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

Less than two weeks after announcing its flagship free television set, startup Telly has inked its first major partnership.

Starting this week, new customers who sign up for a DirecTV Stream plan will get priority access to Telly’s waiting list for their no-cost 55-inch dual-screen smart TV set.

Telly is expected to begin shipping later this summer and has set a goal of distributing at least 500,000 high-end television sets.

Telly’s TV sets sport a 55-inch 4K resolution display with three HDMI ports, an integrated soundbar with a six-speaker driver system, and a unique secondary screen that displays advertisements, sports scores, stock tickers, weather, and more.

The company says the secondary screen shouldn’t interfere with the overall viewing experience.

The TV set is unique in that it requires no upfront payment

Yes, Telly will give customers a TV free of charge. The company collects data on how a person uses the set — including what programs they watch — and delivers personalized advertisements on the lower screen.

Executives at Telly said they developed Telly to be mindful of how and what kind of advertisements are shown.

Telly officially debuted last week with an offer that gives streamers the chance to get their hands on a free TV set.

That offer still stands, but starting this week, viewers who sign up for a DirecTV Stream package will get priority access to the waitlist.

“Telly is the biggest innovation in TV since color, and through our new collaboration, DirecTV Stream customers will be among the very first homes in America to experience the ultimate television living room upgrade,” Ilya Pozin, the founder and CEO of Telly, said in a statement. 

DirecTV’s partnership with Telly is a big sign of support that media brands see real value in the startup’s approach of offering a no-cost TV set that pays for itself over time with advertisements. 

“DirecTV has disrupted the pay TV industry since our fouding nearly 30 years ago, and this collaboration with Telly allows us to continue that focus while providing additional value to first-time DirecTV Stream customers looking for new low-cost ways to enjoy their entertainment,” Vikash Sharma, the general manager at DirecTV Stream, said on Friday.

Jump on this DirectTV Stream deal and get priorty access to Telly’s waitlist

DirecTV Stream offers dozens of streaming channels, including live broadcast stations of major networks (ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, PBS, and others) and cable networks focused on entertainment, lifestyle, knowledge, news, and sports.

To learn more about DirecTV Stream and its partnership with Telly, visit the DirecTV Stream website here.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Disney explores ditching cable for streaming-only version of ESPN
• HBO Max relaunches as Max — here’s what you need to know
• Montana outright banned TikTok for everyone — is that legal?
• Disney explores ditching cable for streaming-only version of ESPN

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.