Observed Signal · Oct 2, 2026 · Technical Release · Source: t3n · Impact: 3/5 · Sentiment: Positive
FritzOS 8.5 Adds DNS Ad Blocking for Smart TVs
AVM's Fritzbox routers are introducing DNS-based filtering in FritzOS 8.40 and 8.50, enabling users to block ads displayed on Smart TV home screens. This feature allows users to create or import filter lists (e.g., from hagezi/dns-blocklists) directly on the router, preventing the TV from fetching ad content from manufacturer domains. Initially, FritzOS 8.50 is available only for the Fritzbox 7690, while the beta version 8.40 supports a range of DSL, cable, fiber, and mobile models. The article provides step-by-step instructions for installing the beta and configuring DNS filter lists. This development empowers consumers to reduce unwanted advertising on their TVs without needing external hardware like a Raspberry Pi running Pi-hole, potentially impacting the ad-supported TV business model.
AVM's introduction of ad blocking at the router level for Smart TVs could significantly impact the delivery of CTV/OTT advertising by giving consumers an easy way to block ads on their TV home screens, posing a threat to the ad-supported TV ecosystem.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- AVM introduces DNS filtering in FritzOS 8.40 (beta) and 8.50, allowing users to block Smart TV ads on the router level.
- FritzOS 8.50 is initially available only for the Fritzbox 7690; FritzOS 8.40 beta supports many DSL, cable, fiber, and mobile models.
- The feature uses DNS block lists (e.g., hagezi/dns-blocklists) to prevent Smart TVs from fetching ad content from manufacturer domains.
- The article includes step-by-step instructions for installing the beta firmware and configuring DNS filter lists on the Fritzbox.
- The feature provides an alternative to Pi-hole, requiring no extra hardware or Linux knowledge.
Ontology Mapping & Concepts
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Fritz OS 8.40 adds DNS-based ad blocking for smart TVs
Fritzbox routers with the upcoming Fritz OS 8.40 update will allow users to block ads on their smart TVs using DNS filter lists. Currently in beta as a lab version, the feature lets users manually add filter lists to block ad-related domains at the router level, preventing ads from loading on smart TV home screens across all devices on the home network. This offers a simpler alternative to dedicated solutions like Pi-hole, which require a separate always-on device. Supported Fritzbox models include various fiber, DSL, cable, and 5G models. Users can manually install the beta firmware from AVM's website and configure custom filter lists via the router's web interface under 'Network Settings' -> 'DNS Filter'. The feature has been tested successfully with a Roku TV using the hagezi/dns-blocklists project on GitHub, and can also block ads on Fire OS, webOS, and Samsung TVs.
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