How to remove TelevisionFanatic (Virus Removal Guide)

by Sean Doyle · Published May 16, 2015 · Updated September 11, 2022

TelevisionFanatic by Mindspark Interactive Network, Inc (also found as TelevisionFanatic virus, TelevisionFanatic Chrome New Tab, TelevisionFanatic Chrome Television) is a very questionable browser extension and toolbar with a bad online reputation. TelevisionFanatic is known to be deceptive, intrusive, and destructive. It changes existing internet browser settings including the homepage, new tab setting, and default search engine which will cause browser to start up on and redirect to sponsored webpages such as “TelevisionFanatic by myway.” It can also inject the webpages you visit with pop-up ads.

TelevisionFanatic

What is TelevisionFanatic?

TelevisionFanatic is promoted as a free web is promoted as a free web utility that will allow you to watch free TV online. It claims to give you access to your favorite shows on ABC®, CBS®, NBC®, Fox®, Netflix® and more. The TelevisionFanatic extension also claims to “offer convenient web search and features from the Chrome New Tab page.” The application communicates with the publisher’s servers to deliver its functionality and record usage metrics.

The primary symptom of this browser extension is that it will take control of existing internet browser settings including the new tab page, homepage, and default search engine. This will cause browsers to redirect to TelevisionFanatic by myway search engine when users open a new browser tab, open a new browser window, or search the web with the browser address or omni bar.

TelevisionFanatic also serves ‘targeted’ advertisements to users while they browse the internet. This is a privacy concern because targeted advertisements can only be produced by the adware if it has access to user browsing data, such as all browsing activities, bookmarks, app data, and browser history. This information is observed and used to generate advertisements it feels users are most likely to click on.

Furthermore, potential TelevisionFanatic malware primarily bundles with additional unwanted programs, malware, and other possible malicious threats. This means that it might be necessary to uninstall multiple programs from Windows and remove multiple browser add-ons and extensions from Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Safari. Many of these programs can not easily be found on a computer system without third-party security software.

TelevisionFanatic adware and the additional programs that it bundles with also manufacture new tasks and change existing Windows start-up settings in order to run every time the operating system starts and remain enabled if disabled by the user. Programs and browser attachments that may arrive with this deceptive piece of adware can also cause other issues for computer and internet users aside from pop-up advertisements, including browser redirections and a loss in computer functionality and internet connectivity. Furthermore, if TelevisionFanatic is manually removed, it is possibly that the adware or another one in its place will return before a week has passed.

How did TelevisionFanatic get on my computer?

TelevisionFanatic adware is usually contracted without consent or knowledge of the computer user alongside third-party programs and files, such as freeware, shareware, torrent files, and other free downloadable content. The potentially unwanted programs and files that deliver the adware can be introduced to a computer system and affected internet browsers with or without user authorization.

Computer and internet users who seek to download and install free programs and files online may be presented with an opportunity to accept or decline a ‘custom’ offer to install TelevisionFanatic adware and other programs during the setup and installation process. However, the request to decline TelevisionFanatic adware from installing is often presented in a very confusing manner. In some cases, the download manager may completely ignore the user request to decline TelevisionFanatic from installing and the adware will install against user consent and knowledge.

[fancy_box title=”TelevisionFanatic overview”]

The TelevisionFanatic extension can read and change all your data on the websites you visit and read and change your browsing history.
The TelevisionFanatic extension can manage your apps, extensions, downloads, and themes.

TelevisionFanatic virus

TelevisionFanatic bundles with other potentially unwanted programs and possible malware.
TelevisionFanatic can arrive on a computer system packed inside installers and downloaders from websites such as download.com, Softonic, and others.
TelevisionFanatic injects visited webpages with pop-up, pop-under, in-text, and in-image advertisements.
TelevisionFanatic makes unwanted changes to existing Windows settings and schedules new tasks allowing it to run every time Windows starts and to check to see if the program has been disabled. If the program has previously been disabled it will enable itself to run.

[/fancy_box]

How to remove TelevisionFanatic (Removal Guide)

[list style=”pointer” color=”red”]

Step 1: Remove TelevisionFanatic extensions
Step 2: Uninstall TelevisionFanatic from Windows
Step 3: Remove TelevisionFanatic virus with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
Step 4: Cleanup and repair settings with CCleaner by Piriform
For Tech Support Call: 1-888-986-8411

[/list]

Step 1: Remove TelevisionFanatic extensions

We recommend that you write down the toll free number below in case you run into any issues or problems while removing this infection. Our techs will kindly assist you with any problems.

Google Chrome

1. Click the Customize and control Google Chrome icon on the top menu and navigate to More tools > Extensions.

TelevisionFanatic Chrome New Tab

2. Search for the TelevisionFanatic extension in the list. Remove unwanted browser extensions individually by clicking the trashcan icon next to each one.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Type Ctrl+Shift+A.

2. Search for the TelevisionFanatic add-ons on the Extensions and Plugin tab. Highlight each one individually and click remove.

Apple Safari

1. Click Safari and go to Preferences > Extensions.

2. Find the TelevisionFanatic extension in the list and click the Uninstall button.

Step 2: Uninstall TelevisionFanatic from Windows

1. Open Windows Start Menu and go to the Control Panel.

2. On Windows Control Panel, click Uninstall a program or Add and remove a program in the Programs section.

3. Search for TelevisionFanatic and other unwanted programs in the list of installed programs. Once an unwanted program is located, double click the item or select it with your mouse and click the Uninstall button. If you can not find this program in the list of installed program please see steps 3 and 4 below.

Step 3: Remove TelevisionFanatic virus with Malwarebytes

1. Download and install the free or full edition of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. The full edition of this program enables real-time protection to block malware and unwanted programs from infecting your computer, while the free version is only a free scan and removal tool.

[button link=”https://store.malwarebytes.org/342/cookie?affiliate=23046&redirectto=http%3a%2f%2fdownloads.malwarebytes.org%2ffile%2fmbam%2f&redirecthash=79CD12ECAB939D32967B5D05C6C86E32″ align=”center” bgcolor=”#ff0000″ hoverbgcolor=”#0015ff” hovertextcolor=”#ffffff” textcolor=”#ffffff” size=”large” style=”flat” fullwidth=”true”]Download Malwarebytes Free[/button][button link=”https://store.malwarebytes.org/342/?affiliate=23046&scope=checkout&cart=139724″ align=”center” bgcolor=”#ff0000″ hoverbgcolor=”#0015ff” hovertextcolor=”#ffffff” textcolor=”#ffffff” size=”large” style=”flat” fullwidth=”true”]Buy Premium Now[/button]

2. Open Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.

Malwarebytes

3. Click the Scan Now button or go to the “Scan” tab to manually run a scan.

Malwarebytes 2

4. When the malware scan is complete you will notice a list of files it has detected. Click the Remove Selected button, then click Finish, and reboot your computer.

If you are still having issues with malware it is recommended to download and install a second opinion scanner such as HitmanPro by Surfright to eradicate existing malicious files and automatically repair corrupted settings.

Step 4: Cleanup and repair settings with CCleaner

1. Download and install the free or full edition of CCleaner by Piriform.

[button link=”https://secure.piriform.com/502/cookie?affiliate=23046&redirectto=https%3a%2f%2fwww.piriform.com%2fccleaner%2fdownload%2fstandard” align=”center” bgcolor=”#ff0000″ hoverbgcolor=”#0015ff” hovertextcolor=”#ffffff” textcolor=”#ffffff” size=”large” style=”flat” fullwidth=”true”]Download CCleaner Free[/button]

[button link=”https://secure.piriform.com/502/cookie?affiliate=23046&redirectto=https%3a%2f%2fwww.piriform.com%2fccleaner%2fdownload%2fprofessional” align=”center” bgcolor=”#ff0000″ hoverbgcolor=”#0015ff” hovertextcolor=”#ffffff” textcolor=”#ffffff” size=”large” style=”flat” fullwidth=”true”]Buy Professional Now[/button]

2. Open the program and go to Cleaner and click the Analyze button. After files and have been analyzed, click the Run Cleaner button on the bottom right of the program interface.

3. Go to Registry and click Scan for Issues. When the scan is complete click Fix selected issues… and then click the Fix All Selected Issues button.

CCleaner startup

4. Go to to Tools > Startup and search through each tab starting from Windows, Internet Explorer, all the way to Context Menu, for additional suspicious entries and click Delete once anything suspicious is found to remove it.

If you are still experiencing issues removing potential TelevisionFanatic malware after using this removal guide we recommend to perform a system restore/recovery or a reset/refresh for Windows 8.