Looks like you've been chosen as a beta tester.

I can live with the giant ad, I can't live with the auto-play the news articles claimed they are going to have. Can you confirm if it auto-played?

Sadly, it is the first step as more ads later on are coming according to this Google Blog Post announcing the masthead ad:

This is just one example of our commitment to building out the most effective TV screen experience for advertisers. We are excited to announce more innovations coming to the TV screen early next year.

you have the option to pay a subscription without ads

https://9to5google.com/2019/09/18/youtube-ad-tv-app-masthead/

ITT: youtube apologists

Good thing there's youtube alternatives on Android, not sure if there's any leanback specific ones though.

Will this apply to YT Premium? I have seen them yet, but it dont mean I wont.

youtube is one giant ad platform anyway. The only way I can bear it is through ad blockers.

This is a joke.

If you don't pay for YouTube then you get ads before each video anyway.

What's the point.

Man fuck that Hyundai Venue. That Korean piece of shit needs an advertisement that big to sell.

Did you think access to millions of dollars worth of servers and networking infrastructure was free?