A gay men’s dating website hoping to peddle its wares with a 30-second spot during the Super Bowl has been tackled at the line of scrimmage. CBS says it’s the content, not the client. The client says it’s discrimination. (video below)
According to reports, the CBS Standards and Practices department found that the creative wasn’t up to snuff. CBS said that in such situations it was willing to work with the client on producing alternative material.
But it also said it was unable to verify ManCrunch’s credit, and wasn’t sure that the website would be able to come up with the estimated $2.5M pricetag.
ManCrunch said it has the money, that the content is not tasteless (and not in the class of the infamous Adam Lambert AMA same-gender kiss). A spokesperson called the rejection discriminatory.
CBS has already come under fire for allowing Focus on the Family to run an anti-abortion ad during the Super Bowl. CBS and other networks have frequently steered clear controversial advocacy spots during this event.
