Generally speaking, you're right. Nothing is free - esp not for YT to host the data. But I think it's fair to complain about the scope. OP mentioned unskippable 15 sec ads before a 17 sec video. That's bullshit. I've seen it. It's not just on the 4th short video. It's on every video. Sure, you can go elsewhere anytime - nevertheless it's frustrating.

Why would I give money to a site whose moderation enforces a political ideology and which was complicit in the cover up of the pandemic lies?