Hulu will accept political issue ads after Democrat criticism

Hulu will accept political issue ads, according to a report from Axios.

The move follows harsh criticism from Democratic campaign groups for refusing to run political ads on topics of abortion access, gun control, and climate change.

The streaming service had policies against running content it deems controversial. Under new guidelines effective immediately, Hulu’s ad guidance will now be the same as on other Disney cable properties.

Such policy differs from broadcast companies, including Disney-owned ABC, which are required by law to accept political advertisements on any topic, so long as it meets obscenity requirements.

Disney will reserve the right to ask clients to edit or amend advertisements on Hulu if it deems they do not align with the company’s standards, according to the report.

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee had accused Hulu of “outrageous political censorship”.

BREAKING: @Hulu is REJECTING our ads calling out GOP attacks on abortion access and gun safety. Their shady policies amount to outrageous political censorship.

Americans deserve to know the truth about these issues, and Hulu has no right to block it. https://t.co/xEfpgASoBU

— Senate Democrats (@dscc) July 25, 2022

Earlier this year, Hulu’s parent company Disney came under intense political scrutiny for its response to Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill, which prompted staff walk-outs.

After CEO Bob Chapek eventually took a public stance against the bill, the company came under attack by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis.