Hulu will allow a church in Fort Worth, Texas, to air ads for a weeknight worship service after the streaming service reversed a decision to reject the 22-second spot as “religious indoctrination,” the church’s pastor says.
Wes Hamilton, pastor of Hulen Street Church, said he wanted to advertise a Thursday night service for those who may find themselves working on Sundays, such as first responders.
Hulu twice rejected the ad even though the words “religious indoctrination” do not appear in the streamer’s advertising guidelines, he said.
The nonprofit public interest law firm First Liberty Institute sent Hulu a letter demanding the church be allowed to advertise its worship services.
First Liberty senior counsel Jeremy Dys noted that Hulu had aired a TikTok ad that spotlighted a Catholic nun’s online channel where she teaches about faith. He wrote that Sister Monica Clare is shown praying, making the sign of the Cross and reading the Bible.
“That Hulu allows Sister Clare’s ad while prohibiting Hulen Street Church’s ad shows that, even if Hulu really does have an ad against religious indoctrination, it does not apply it consistently,” Mr. Dys wrote.
The attorney’s letter also noted that Hulu permits advertising for alcohol, gambling and dating apps, some of which he said “trigger” those dealing with addiction.
Hulu, a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Co., did not respond to a request for comment.
“In the future, Hulu — and others in Big Tech — could avoid these kinds of conflicts by adopting advertising policies that do not discriminate against religious organizations, being transparent about its advertising policy, and applying it fairly,” Mr. Dys said Wednesday in a statement.