AdWeek reported yesterday that Comcast has joined the same advertising method as NBC Universal by banning all gun ads. However, this policy change is not related to the ongoing gun violence debate that is happening in Washington. Quietly instituted, this advertising method took place on Feb. 8 when Comcast acquired a controlling interest in NBC Universal. NBC Universal has not accepted any weapons or fireworks advertising placements since June 2012.
The Comcast ban became known when the Canadian American Corp. attempted to purchase a television spot for a Michigan-based gun store, Williams Gun Sight, Inc. According to CBS News’ Detroit affiliate, the placement was denied. Comcast did respond to CBS by saying,
“Comcast Spotlight has decided it will not accept new advertising for firearms or weapons moving forward. This policy aligns us with the guidelines in place at many media organizations."
This is not the first network to ban advertising for weapons. FOX and ESPN have been implementing this policy for sometime. Comcast’s new advertising restriction is not sitting well with gun-rights supporters. With that said, what is your opinion about Comcast and other networks banning weapon advertising?
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