So, you and your neighbor are both watching the Sunday football game. The game goes to timeout and the TV interrupts for a commercial break. Question. Do you and your neighbor see the same TV add?
If you said yes, you would likely be wrong. These days cable and satellite companies target TV ads on a per household basis using a combination of things. They use consumer profiles through all that data you provide, sensors in the cable or satellite box, and by your TV literally listening to your conversation. This is not a joke. They are called "addressable ads".
As you read through the various articles, bote their date. This technology was rolled out officially 5-6 years ago but was in the testing phase long before that. It looks like those "paranoid conspiracy theorists" are right yet again.
Targeted per individual households
techland.time.com/2011/03/10/targeted-tv-ads
adage.com/article/cmo-strategy/cmo-s-guide-addressable-tv-advertising/291728
Consumer profiles
www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704226504576029871779927478
mobile.nytimes.com/2015/10/05/business/media/with-the-tv-business-in-upheaval-targeted-ads-offer-hope.html
http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704226504576029871779927478
Sensors in your box
TV listening
www.cnn.com/2015/02/11/opinion/schneier-samsung-tv-listening
money.cnn.com/2015/02/09/technology/security/samsung-smart-tv-privacy