Political Talk Shows Talk Themselves Out of Ads

Could Glenn Beck be killing off an entire cable genre? After the recent controversy over the cable talker, marketers seem to be considering pulling ads from the politically oriented cable news shows that have helped NBC Universal's MSNBC and News Corp.'s Fox News Channel thrive in the ratings -- no matter what their political leanings. Walmart Stores, Berkshire Hathaway's Geico and Men's Wearhouse have already said they've taken steps to ensure their ads will no longer appear during Fox News' "Glenn Beck" show. Procter & Gamble and S.C. Johnson recently said they had never intended to advertise on the show and ads were placed there by mistake. Now Clorox Co. has said it is taking its ad dollars out of all politically oriented talk programs.