Heat on channels for vulgar ads

The offending ads include surrogate advertising by Kingfisher beer masquerading as 'Kingfisher soda'.

Fifty-six television channels covering virtually every broadcaster in the industry have been rapped by the I&B ministry for airing surrogate or obscene ads in violation of the government's advertising code. Not only will the channels have to pull the ads off their networks, they have to carry a scrolled apology for three days starting August 18.

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The offending ads include surrogate advertising by Kingfisher beer masquerading as 'Kingfisher soda' as well as a series of suggestive ads like the VIP Frenchie promotion that has one underwear flying off a drying line and landing on another. Another GenX video shows a male 'stud' running around in nothing but his underwear.

The notice from the I&B ministry to the TV channels details out requirements that the apology should be “visible, bold” and scrolled at normal readable speed. This has been done to preempt channels for making a mockery of the apology requirements.

A few weeks ago, when a few music and entertainment channels had been asked to display apologies, MTV ran a scroll even as an advertisement for its risqué in-house film Ghoom was being aired. Zee TV on the other hand, ran the apology scroll so fast, that it was impossible to read what was written on it.