ABC and YouTube blame ‘account settings’ for video ads blunder

Tim Burrowes

March 10, 2010 8:48

The ABC and YouTube appear to have settled their differences after pre-roll video ads were run before the broadcaster’s programming content despite it claiming it had not given permission.

After Mumbrella revealed that 15s ads for Procter & Gamble products including Head & Shoulders and Gillette Fusion had been running on the ABC’s YouTube channel, the ABC claimed it had been done without its permission and demanded an explanation.

Both organisations spent the last 24 hours or so without commenting further on the issue, until tonight when they both issued statements within a few moments of each other.

The ABC said:

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Tim Burrowes

Tim Burrowes is the publisher of Mumbrella and Unmade. He co-founded Mumbrella in 2008 and sister title Unmade in 2021. He's worked in the UK, Middle East, Asia & Australia and has specialised in writing about the communications world for the last 25 years. He wrote the book Media Unmade, published in 2021, and became the presenter of MediaLand on ABC Radio National in 2025.

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6 COMMENTS

Tim Bennett 10 Mar 10

The lack of finger-pointing, and simultaneous statements, leads me to believe the ABC and YouTube have a pretty cordial relationship.

Tim, even though the ABC’s statement yesterday was a little terse, I would still say that the ABC “requested” rather than “demanded” an explanation 🙂

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Rennell 11 Mar 10

Yes. It may just be an advertising gimmick on both part. They may be collaborating.

Rennel

Savannah GA Advertising
Albany GA Advertising

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anon 11 Mar 10

Hey Rennell, certified internet marketing consultants should know about the no follow tag. Anyway, I wanted to ask if your site is a giant piss take, is it? Because it’s pretty funny.

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Matt 11 Mar 10

Hey Tim, I think we’re all kind of missing the story here.

It might well be that the ABC doesn’t run advertising on its “NewOnABCTV” channel, but it’s told you it does indeed run ads on its “ComedyonABC” and “EntertainmentonABC” channels.

What’s the difference?

It’s still advertising alongside the ABC’s content, it’s just that it’s not Australian Story.

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Joel 11 Mar 10

Matt,

I think the difference is that advertisers appearing next to editorial (news) content can imply a bias in the news delivered (regardless of whether it has an impact or not). However putting advertisers next to fictional content doesn’t give the perception it has any impact the content.

I could be wrong though…

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Rennell 12 Mar 10

Hi Anon,

I’m trying to figure out where in the comment above your thinking about no follow? Also, your commenting on a website as if you have experience. WHO Are You? and what are you talking about? I apologize, but from your comment above you don’t strike me as being to smart. Maybe I’m wrong. Clarify your comment with an educated response, if you can.

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