By , ,
Published April 28, 2016
TLC is continuing to face even more challenges as advertisers pull ads from “Jill & Jessica: Counting On” after learning they had appeared on the reality show without their knowledge.
Wrigley, Choice Hotels and UPS all confirmed to FOX411 they pulled ads from the program.
“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.”
Choice Hotels released the following statement: "Thank you for sharing your concerns. We are not a sponsor or an advertiser on any TV shows or specials about the Duggars. 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."
A UPS representative explained the UPS Store was not a direct advertiser on the program.
“The spot ran as part of a larger media buy with the TLC network,” the statement read. “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.”
The story was first reported by In Touch Weekly, which said even more companies, including Credit Karma, Cici’s Pizza and Verizon Wireless were unhappy that their commercials ran during the show. A total of 15 companies have pulled themselves from the show, according to the report.
“Jill & Jessica: Counting On” was introduced almost a year after Josh Duggar admitted to sexually molesting underage girls, four of which were his sisters. At that time, a handful of sponsors also pulled out of “19 Kids and Counting” and consequentially the show was cancelled in the following months. The Wrap reported that the cancellation of the network’s highest rated show cost TLC’s parent company, Discovery Communications, $19 million.
Nancy Daniels, TLC's General Manager, told FOX411 she believes there is a small vocal group that is against the Duggars. She also said the network routinely places advertisers where they want to be.
"At the end of the day we have millions and millions of young loyal viewers who support the [Duggar] girls," she said.
Fox News' Leora Arnowitz contributed to this report.
https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/tlc-advertisers-sorry-ads-appeared-on-jill-jessica-counting-on