As the hardworking staff has noted, there are lots of scambit ads associated with Super Bowl LXV (spots submitted with the express purpose of being rejected by Super Bowl broadcaster Fox Sports, the better to get press).
But only one got its own Beliefs column in the New York Times.
Namely, Fixed Point Foundation‘s “John 3:16” spot:
From the Times piece:
It is a reference to a Bible verse: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life . . . ”
[snip]
But according to Fox Sports, which will broadcast the Super Bowl this year, the verse you can see in the stands on television is not suitable for a commercial. The network’s rejection of a 30-second spot centered on John 3:16 is just one example of an advertising culture that can be allergic to expressions of faith.
Fox Sports, for its part, issued this statement:
“Fox Broadcasting Company does not accept advertising from religious organizations for the purpose of advancing particular beliefs or practices.”
No, they leave that to Fox News.
I’m not aware that Fox News Channel “accept[s] advertising from religious organizations for the purpose of advancing particular beliefs or practices,” as you seem to imply.
I thought that FNC integrated such advertising directly into the content of their broadcasts, free of charge.
That’s actually what I meant, Michael. Just didn’t say it very well.
Pretty silly if you ask me. The only religious organizations to have commercials that I can recall was LDS and I always considered them rather uplifting, even though I’m not Mormon.
This must be a preemptive move so they won’t catch heat for not running Chabad commercials. 🙂