Publications
Partners
Cape Town - TopTV has sold advertising space to website AshleyMadison.com, a dating service aimed at people already in relationships or marriages who are looking to have affairs.
The embattled pay-TV service, which recently underwent business rescue, is the only South African broadcaster airing an advertisement for the company, according to a statement issued by the dating site.
The controversial advertisement, titled AM Bedroom Frolic, sees a couple engaging in foreplay while the captions on screen read: "This couple is married. But not to each other."
The commercial ends with the website's address and the slogan: "Life is short. Have an affair".
Noel Biderman, founder and CEO of AshleyMadison.com, said that the site has seen an 18% increase in sign-ups since the advertisement was first aired on TopTV in mid-October.
"Our membership growth in South Africa continues with over 120 000 members since June," said Biderman.
The 40-second advertisement airs on TopTV after 20:00.
Watch the commercial here.
TopTV proposed plans to launch a stand-alone porn package in 2011, but failed due to public outcry and a lack of authorisation from the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa).
In 2011, US television network FOX refused to air a similar Ashley Madison advertisement during the Super Bowl, even though the commercial did not feature the site's cheeky slogan.
How do you feel about TopTV advertising AshleyMadison.com? Morally corrupt or financially savvy? E-mail your thoughts to tv@channel24.co.za
The embattled pay-TV service, which recently underwent business rescue, is the only South African broadcaster airing an advertisement for the company, according to a statement issued by the dating site.
The controversial advertisement, titled AM Bedroom Frolic, sees a couple engaging in foreplay while the captions on screen read: "This couple is married. But not to each other."
The commercial ends with the website's address and the slogan: "Life is short. Have an affair".
Noel Biderman, founder and CEO of AshleyMadison.com, said that the site has seen an 18% increase in sign-ups since the advertisement was first aired on TopTV in mid-October.
"Our membership growth in South Africa continues with over 120 000 members since June," said Biderman.
The 40-second advertisement airs on TopTV after 20:00.
Watch the commercial here.
TopTV proposed plans to launch a stand-alone porn package in 2011, but failed due to public outcry and a lack of authorisation from the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa).
In 2011, US television network FOX refused to air a similar Ashley Madison advertisement during the Super Bowl, even though the commercial did not feature the site's cheeky slogan.
How do you feel about TopTV advertising AshleyMadison.com? Morally corrupt or financially savvy? E-mail your thoughts to tv@channel24.co.za
