The Kennedys miniseries may have found a home, but has yet to find a sponsor
The Kennedys has one last obstacle to overcome before it hits the air on April 3 in the United States. The Toronto-shot series, starring Katie Holmes and Greg Kinnear, was first canned by History Channel, then picked up by ReelzChannel and now, according to the New York Post, is struggling to find a sponsor. Cadillac—manufacturer of the official state car used by the president of the United States—was the show’s initial sponsor, but withdrew support once it was dropped from the History Channel.
According to ReelzChannel CEO Stan Hubbard, advertisers are still too worried about backlash from Kennedy supporters to put money behind the project. Hubbard told the Post that while he hasn’t heard from any members of the Kennedy family directly, he has heard from advertisers voicing their concerns. From the Post:
I’ve heard directly from big advertisers... [who say], ‘This is too politically hot, I can’t risk polarizing consumers.’ I’m not political, but has anyone said the Sarah Palin movie shouldn’t be made?
Well, we’re pretty sure that at least one person is less than thrilled with HBO’s upcoming Game Change. Meanwhile, on this side of the border, we have a hard time seeing any advertisers getting cold feet when History Television (no relation to the U.S. History Channel) airs The Kennedys on April 10.
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