Streaming service Hulu reversed course on its barring of political advertisements for content it deemed sensitive.

Democratic groups and candidates, including New York congressional contenders, had sought to air paid spots about abortion rights, gun violence and the Jan. 6 insurrection.


What You Need To Know

  • The rejection of a spot by Democratic groups sparked outrage on social media

  • Political advertisements mentioned abortion rights, gun use and climate crisis

  • Streaming services aren't bound by the same Federal Communications Commission rules as broadcast television

But after backlash, Hulu will give time to the advertisements.

“After a thorough review of ad policies across its linear networks and streaming platforms over the last few months, Disney is now aligning Hulu’s political advertising policies to be consistent with the Company’s general entertainment and sports cable networks and ESPN+. Hulu will now accept candidate and issue advertisements covering a wide spectrum of policy positions, but reserves the right to request edits or alternative creative in alignment with industry standards,” Disney, which owns Hulu, wrote, as first reported Wednesday by Axios.

An advertisement from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and associated groups blamed Republicans for the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

Advertisements from Suraj Patel and Councilwoman Carlina Rivera, running in the 12th and 10th congressional districts, referenced the fight for abortion rights, gun laws and gun violence.

Streaming services are not bound by the same Federal Communications Commission rules as broadcast television.