# Broadcast sports virtual ads aren't "targeted" yet, are they? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 20, 2026, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadcast-sports-virtual-ads-arent-targeted-yet-are-they/1031810 "2026-07-20T16:05:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2026, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadcast-sports-virtual-ads-arent-targeted-yet-are-they/1031810/1 "2026-07-20T16:05:43Z")
Because I source industrial manufacturing parts on-line all day at work my ad feed while browsing are never ending ads for stuff I purchase. Even at home they’ve found a way to link to my work browsing history and fill ads on news sites, facebook, youtube, etc. with targeted ads. However, watching the Yankees-Dodgers game on DirecTV streaming over the weekend there was a virtual ad on the backstop behind the plate that was for THK Automation and had a picture of a linear guide rail. I thought that was a rather niche product to be advertising during a nationally televised game since I doubt there’s a plethora of people out there that know what a linear guide rail even is. So did everyone see this same virtual/digital ad I did? They aren’t able to target these things already, are they? ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2026, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadcast-sports-virtual-ads-arent-targeted-yet-are-they/1031810/2 "2026-07-20T17:17:20Z")
I have not noticed that level of targeting, but I have gotten between innings ads on MLBtv (the streaming service for watching out of market games) which appear to be targeted - specifically for quilting supply companies (Mrs. Martian is a quilting fanatic). ETA: Found these possible relevant articles: > **[Virtual Replacement Perimeter Overlay Technology](https://coffeebeans-brewinginnovations.medium.com/virtual-replacement-perimeter-overlay-technology-82a321a14972)** > > By Rahul Kumar > **[How geo-targeted virtual ads are transforming sports broadcasts across regions...](https://banyanboard.com/blogs/virtual-ad-placement/how-geo-targeted-virtual-ads-are-transforming-sports-broadcasts-across-regions/)** > > Note: AI generated image to visualize the concept of geo-targeted virtual advertising By : Smruthi Karthik Sports have always attracted global audiences. Today, a single football match can attract millions of live viewers from different continents... ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2026, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadcast-sports-virtual-ads-arent-targeted-yet-are-they/1031810/3 "2026-07-21T05:44:53Z")
With uBlock Origin, I don’t see any of these ads at all. And I can’t see why people put up with them! ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2026, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadcast-sports-virtual-ads-arent-targeted-yet-are-they/1031810/4 "2026-07-21T07:52:12Z")
Your ublock origin isn’t blocking banner ads on the field of play in a directv stream, those are exactly the sort of ads that are resistant to blocking because they’re baked into the broadcast. ---
**Author:** ![zbuzz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e19b73/32.png) [@zbuzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zbuzz)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2026, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadcast-sports-virtual-ads-arent-targeted-yet-are-they/1031810/5 "2026-07-21T10:25:13Z")
> [@Hampshire](#): > > watching the Yankees-Dodgers game > **[Los Angeles Dodgers and THK announce partnership agreement](https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-dodgers-and-thk-announce-partnership-agreement)** > > LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed to a partnership agreement with Tokyo-based machine parts manufacturer THK. As part of this arrangement, THK will enjoy in-stadium LED signage at Dodger Stadium, reaching millions of fans and... I don’t think the backstop ads are personalized yet, though I’m sure that’s something that’s coming. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2026, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadcast-sports-virtual-ads-arent-targeted-yet-are-they/1031810/6 "2026-07-21T12:54:28Z")
One relevant nitpick: Your thread title said “broadcast”, but your post said “streaming”. They can’t customize the ads in a broadcast, but they (at least potentially) could for streaming.