Advertisers Pull Spots from TLC in Duggar Backlash
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Advertisers are pulling ads from TLC's "Jill & Jessa: Counting On" after they found out the ads aired during the reality show without them knowing about it, according to numerous sources.
FOX411 reported Wrigley, Choice Hotels, and UPS all confirm that they removed ads from the show.
"Wrigley no longer advertises on television programs featuring the Duggar family; and any ads that have recently aired during TLC shows featuring the Duggar family were done so in error," Wrigley said in a statement. "It is never our intent to endorse content that could offend our consumers."
In Touch Weekly first reported on the move by numerous advertisers.
"If any ads run, it is an error of the network as our advertising agency has directed them to remove our advertising from the show," Choice Hotels said in a statement.
"The spot ran as part of a larger media buy with the TLC network," a UPS representative said in a statement to FOX411, referencing a UPS Store ad. "As soon as we were made aware of the spot airing we notified our media buying agency who reached out to TLC to make sure that we do not run within any future broadcasts of this program."
Credit Karma, Cici's Pizza, and Verizon Wireless were also not pleased that their ads aired during "Jill & Jessa: Counting On," according to the magazine. In Touch reported 15 companies have removed their commercials.
"Jill & Jessa: Counting On" appeared on TLC nearly a year after the oldest son, Josh Duggar admitted to sexually molesting underage girls, including four of his sisters.
According to Forbes.com, Duggar also "was identified as an Ashley Madison user after the hack" of that website, which has the goal of facilitating extramarital affairs.
TLC's General Manager Nancy Daniels told FOX411 there's a small vocal group opposed to the Duggars.
"At the end of the day we have millions and millions of young loyal viewers who support the (Duggar) girls," she said.
And Forbes reports "Jill & Jessa: Counting On" is doing well when it comes to viewership, in spite of the circumstances surrounding Josh Duggar. In fact, 3 million viewers tuned in to see TLC's three-part series featuring the Duggar sisters, and 1.9 million watched the March 15 series premiere.
In addition, 4.4 million people tuned in to watch Jill's wedding, and 4.3 million watched Jessa's marriage. On Instagram, Jill has 1.5 million followers, while Jessa has 1.8 million.
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