A question about selling alcohol on t.v.

[Lodestar]

I've noticed something of late. There seems to be a resurgence of ads for alcohol on t.v. Wasn't that banned or something?
And then there are programs like the morning talk show with Kathy Lee (can't remember the name because I never watch it) where they drink on air, and now on Hollywood Game Night hosted by Jane Lynch who offers her guests a place at the bar and often talks about her guests being a bit drunk. So strange. And especially since I've heard her say in interviews that she's not a drinker.
What's going on? Is this some covert form of promoting alcohol?
I just saw an ad for Jim Beam....

[CK_John]

1. You have to separate cable from over the air tv and which one can be regulated... .

[Lodestar]

4. Not cable. Just regular t.v. n/t

[TexasProgresive]

12. JUst to be clear

Your TV signal comes from an antenna?

[Cleita]

2. The liquor industry had a self imposed ban since 1936 to not advertise on radio and

then TV. There never was a legal ban. The liquor industry has decided since the beer and wine industry has no such interest in doing the same, they are going to advertise again.

[Warpy]

3. Tobacco was banned and they could advertise beer

as long as they didn't show anybody drinking the stuff, which I always thought was bizarre.

[cyberswede]

5. I think that's still the case...

I saw a beer ad with Neal Patrick Harris the other day, and at the end, he says something like "I can't drink this on the air, so I"ll go overe here" and he walks off camera with the bottle.

[Lodestar]

6. Yeah, I've seen that sort of thing said before. Is there a legal basis for that decision?

I think there IS a covert AND overt attempt to bring alcohol back into the mainstream media and life style.
Not that the ban seems to have had any impact on the reducing problems our society has with alcoholism...

[notadmblnd]

7. I see all kinds of alcohol commercials all the time

Malibu Rum, That Skinny Girl stuff. The most recent I've seen is for hard cider and different flavored margaritas. maybe it's a state thing?

[Warpy]

8. I've seen the one for hard cider

but few more. I don't watch news and sports stations, and I imagine they've got the most booze advertisements.

[Jenoch]

9. The advertising of liquor on television

has been a funtion of the various states for many years. If you have been seeing television advertising for alcohol in recent times, it is because of a state legislature law.

[former9thward]

10. What is wrong with advertising alcohol on tv?

It is a substance used by humans forever.

[Recursion]

11. There was a voluntary moratorium that slowly got pressured out

In the late 90's and early oughts a set of malt liquor products were marketed (think Zima, Smirnoff Ice, etc.) that blurred the perceived lines between "soft" and "hard" liquor (there's no legal distinction). It just kind of became a slippery slope after that.