Comcast Should Discontinue Weather Claims Against DirecTV, NAD Says

Comcast should “discontinue” claiming in broadcast ads that DirecTV is unreliable in bad weather, recommended the National Advertising Division. The recommendation results from a DirecTV challenge of a Comcast ad that shows a DirecTV antenna being struck by lightning and mentions weather can cause satellite signals to pixelate. DirecTV said the commercial doesn't explicitly state service interruptions from severe weather are typical, but "the advertisement strongly implies it,” the group said. Comcast argued the ad was similar to other Comcast commercials that NAD found to be substantiated. NAD said Comcast should “avoid conveying the message” that the satellite provider offers no free shows or “movies on the go,” but rejected a DirecTV allegation Comcast made false claims about the number of free shows and to-go movies in its introductory package. DirecTV is appealing the latter ruling, and Comcast is appealing the rulings against it.