CBS responded to complaints over a conservative groups planned Super Bowl ad featuring football star Tim Tebow by saying that it had eased restrictions on advocacy ads and would consider responsibly produced ones for open spots in its Feb 7 broadcast.

CBS Corp. said Tuesday it had received numerous e-mails — both critical and supportive — since a coalition of womens groups began a protest campaign Monday against the ad, which the critics say will use Tebow and his mother to convey an anti-abortion message.

Funded by the conservative Christian group Focus on the Family, the 30-second ad is expected to recount the story of Pam Tebows pregnancy in 1987. After getting sick during a mission trip to the Philippines, she ignored a recommendation by doctors to abort her fifth child. She later gave birth to Tim, who won the 2007 Heisman Trophy and helped his Florida team win two BCS championships.

CBS said Tuesday that the decision to air the Tebow ad reflected a change in its policies toward advocacy ads that has evolved over the past several years.

We have for some time moderated our approach to advocacy submissions after it became apparent that our stance did not reflect public sentiment or industry norms, said spokesman Dana McClintock. In fact, most media outlets have accepted advocacy ads for some time.

He said CBS will continue to consider responsibly produced ads from all groups for the few remaining spots in Super Bowl XLIV.

Thirty-second commercials during the Super Bowl are selling for $2.5 million to $2.8 million.

Hasty Pudding honors Timberlake

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Justin Timberlake will soon have a new piece of hardware for his trophy case — a pudding pot.

The Grammy and Emmy award winner was named Harvards Hasty Pudding Man of the Year on Tuesday.

Timberlake will receive the award at a roast set for Feb. 5.

Hasty Pudding Theatricals, the nations oldest undergraduate drama troupe, said in a statement that the singer, songwriter, actor and producer was selected because hes one of pop cultures most influential entertainers.

His album, Justified, produced four No. 1 singles, making him the first artist in Nielsen Top 40 history with four No. 1 hits from one album.

Actress Anne Hathaway was named Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year earlier this month.

Florida quarterback Tim Tebow embraces his mother, Pam, during a pre-game ceremony for graduating seniors on the Florida football team prior to an NCAA college football game against Florida State in Gainesville, Fla., on Nov. 28, 2009.

Posted on February 3rd, 2010 by admin
Filed under: College football news, NCAA college football