by cowdery » Fri Mar 24, 2006 9:20 pm
Several non-broadcast networks, such as ESPN, accept spirits advertising. Here in Chicago we have a local all-sports channel (also non-broadcast) on which Jim Beam is a heavy sponsor. Spirits makers have gotten big into auto racing, with Beam and Daniel's both sponsoring cars. Crown Royal is the overall sponsor of the IROC series.
The Distilled Spirits Council's advertising "code of conduct" used to prohibit radio and TV advertising for spirits brands, but that was modified a few years ago.
The major broadcast networks, with the possible exception of Fox (I'm not sure), still do not accept spirits advertising. NBC annouced it was going to, then retreated due to political pressure. Local stations, however, even if they are network affiliates, can make that decision for themselves and some do accept spirits advertising. Here in Chicago, all of the major broadcast stations are actually owned by their respective networks (as opposed to being merely affiliates) so I'm pretty sure they don't accept spirits advertising. On the other hand, I've gotten so used to seeing it that I don't really note it when I do. I seem to see the Jim Beam commercials constantly, Jack Daniel's only slightly less often, and a new Bacardi spot caught my eye the other night.