Fox Won't Sell Super Bowl Ads to Candidates

FOX WON'T SELL SUPER BOWL ADS TO CANDIDATES
[SOURCE: TVWeek, AUTHOR: Ira Teinowitz]
There may be ads for beer, cars and computers on the Super Bowl, but there won't be any for presidential candidates. Fox has put an end to speculation that one or more of the presidential candidates might use the highest-rated TV broadcast of the year to air a national campaign spot two days before more than 20 states hold presidential primary and caucus votes. While no candidate has yet requested time, the network has declared it won't sell Super Bowl spots to their campaigns. The reasons: The show is sold out and equal opportunities couldn't be provided to all candidates, even if some additional time could be found for one to buy in. Sources close to the situation said that because ad time in the Super Bowl is essentially sold out, Fox will choose to not sell time to a candidate, citing an FCC ruling that a network can reasonably refuse to sell political time in “unique, one-time-only” broadcasts where equal ad time can't be offered to all candidates. Evan Tracey, chief operating officer of TNSI Media Intelligence’s Campaign Media Analysis Group, which tracks campaign ad spending, had suggested a Super Bowl spot could help to motivate supporters, with parties to watch the game and a half-time “get out there and fight” call from the candidate. Mr. Tracey said he had heard rumors that some campaign staffs were looking at the possibility.
http://www.tvweek.com/news/2008/01/fox_wont_sell_super_bowl_ads_t.php
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* No candidates, OK -- but what about Brady?
http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2008/01/25/brady...