For most bowls outside of the top ones, ADs actually lose money. But they're part of the TV contract so there's no way to opt out of them.
Plenty of players don't care-- that's why so many are opting out now. That's not a NEW thing, it's just more acceptable now to opt out. Previously those guys didn't want to play, but didn't feel like they had a choice.
Some fans are putting WAY more stock into the outcomes than the players and coaches.
But if you care, that's totally cool. I'm just pointing out to folks like Gigem whose feelings have changed over time, that the bowls themselves haven't really changed. They were created to be exhibitions, and that's what they've always been.