Yeah, ad revenue couldn't possibly be just "found revenue" to layer on top of existing profits. Why folks are so willing to carry water for corporations, by making unsubstantiated excuses for them, mystifies me.
Because if you don't keep making excuses for them, you're left with the alternative: doing a bunch more work yourself, which many people don't find remotely enjoyable.
Which reminds me, I need to go and try installing Axolotl on my PinePhone again :)
Well, except for the alternative of not watching content with excessive ads at all. If companies feel like they need intrusive ads I guess I they can do that, but they are dead to me and my life is better for it.