Companies pulling ads from the new GB TV channel

A number of companies pulled their advertising from new TV channel GB News within the two first days after launch arguing that they want to first know more about its content.

Critics have prior to the launch feared that the channel would be right wing and have said it could be UK version of the Murdoch owned US channel Fox News that, at least for some time, was Donald Trump’s favourite. GB News has said the channel will have opinion and debate.

Press Gazette reports that drinks companies Kopparberg and Grolsch, skincare company Nivea and the Open University, furniture giant IKEA and Ovo Energy have all distanced themselves from the new channel. The companies said they were not in advance aware that their ads would show up on the new channel.

Delivery for ad campaigns run through Sky Media is spread across its portfolio of about 130 channels. Most TV advertising is bought and targeted to certain agreed audiences rather than specific channels, Press Gazette reported.

Swedish cider company Kopparberg was the first to make its stance know tweeting it wanted to review GB News’ content before making a final decision.

“We want to make it clear to everyone that our ad ran on this channel without our knowledge or consent. Kopparberg is a drink for everyone and we have immediately suspended our ads from this channel pending further review of its content.”

GB News director John McAndrew has earlier answered to scepetics saying the channel would not be a “hate-filled divisive shout-fest” and that it would “come at things straight down the middle” rather than with one political leaning.