Over 90,000 PTC Members in Texas Call for Action on AshleyMadison.com Ad

LOS ANGELES (February 5, 2009) � Over 90,000 members and three Texas grassroots chapters of the Parents Television Council denounced the Houston NBC affiliate, KPRC-TV, for airing an ad during the Super Bowl for AshleyMadison.com, a dating service for married people looking to cheat on their spouses. The NFL turned down the same ad when AshleyMadison.com attempted to purchase a national spot during the game. The PTC Texas chapters of Houston, Dallas and Lubbock, also called on all TV stations in Texas not to accept future advertising from AshleyMadison.com. According to FoxNews.com, AshleyMadison.com plans to spend more advertising dollars in Texas this year.

�On behalf of the more than 90,000 PTC members in Texas, we condemn the NBC affiliate�s decision to accept money to air this advertisement, and we strongly urge other TV stations across the state not to allow similar advertisements. It was wholly unacceptable to air an ad that advocates for marital infidelity, especially during a family-viewing event such as the Super Bowl,� said PTC President Tim Winter.

�Broadcasters are granted a license to use the public airwaves for free, in exchange for serving the public interest. We ask, how does promoting marital infidelity serve the public interest?�

�This type of advertising is unacceptable in our community, let alone in our state,� said George Hall, Houston Chapter Director. �And you can bet that KPRC will hear from PTC members in Houston to express their outrage over the ad that was played during the Super Bowl. TV stations across Texas should refuse to air ads from a company that promotes such anti-family behavior.�

The PTC is urging its members in Texas to call their local TV affiliates and request that AshleyMadison.com ads not be aired. Broadcasters who fail to abide by community standards may face public opposition when their licenses are up for renewal.

To speak with a representative from the Parents Television Council, please contact Kelly Oliver (ext. 140) or Megan Franko (ext. 148) at (703) 683-5004.

The Parents Television Council™ (www.parentstv.org®) is a non-partisan education organization advocating responsible entertainment. It was founded in 1995 to ensure that children are not constantly assaulted by sex, violence and profanity on television and in other media. This national grassroots organization has more than 1.3 million members across the United States, and works with television producers, broadcasters, networks and sponsors in an effort to stem the flow of harmful and negative messages targeted to children. The PTC also works with elected and appointed government officials to enforce broadcast decency standards. Most importantly, the PTC produces critical research and publications documenting the dramatic increase in sex, violence and profanity in entertainment. This information is provided free of charge so parents can make informed viewing choices for their own families.