Amazon Prime has taken a clear stance ahead of the upcoming U.S. presidential election by confirming that it will not run political ads during its NFL broadcasts. As November 5 approaches, both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are gearing up for a heated contest, and their respective campaigns are filling the airwaves with commercials in the hopes of swaying voters.
These ads are particularly prevalent during NFL games, which consistently draw massive viewership, making them prime real estate for political messaging.
Networks like Fox, ABC, CBS, and NBC have already aired ads for both the Republican and Democratic campaigns during their NFL broadcasts, capitalizing on the high number of viewers who tune in for football. However, Amazon Prime, which holds exclusive rights to Thursday Night Football (TNF), has opted to take a different approach. The company has confirmed that it will not be airing political ads during its NFL games, adhering to its strict guidelines that prohibit political messaging in commercials.
Amazon’s policy explicitly bans any advertising that is political in nature, including ads promoting or opposing a specific politician, party, or election-related content.
The company’s guidelines state, “Political, such as campaigns for or against a politician or a political party, or related to an election, or content related to political issues of public debate,” are not permitted. Additionally, during election years, Amazon does not allow media products related to political parties, issues, or candidates to air during its broadcasts.
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This decision is significant as Amazon still has three more live NFL games scheduled before the November 5 election. TNF, in particular, is a major draw for football fans, and the absence of political ads during these broadcasts is being celebrated by many viewers. Fans have taken to social media to express their approval of Amazon’s move, applauding the company for keeping politics out of their football experience.
“Everyone needs to do this,” one fan commented in response to the news.
Another fan wrote, “Those ads are so annoying. Rare Amazon Prime W.”
One more fan echoed the sentiment, saying, “Major W tbh. It’s good to have a few hours without the noise.”
Amazon’s TNF broadcasts have consistently attracted a large audience, with the streaming service’s NFL games averaging 11.86 million viewers in the 2023 season. While this figure is down from the 17.9 million viewers that traditional free-to-air NFL broadcasts typically pull in, Amazon’s numbers are still significant for a streaming platform.
This season’s Thursday Night Football opener between the Miami Dolphins and the Buffalo Bills drew 14.96 million viewers, making it the third most-watched NFL broadcast in Amazon Prime’s history.
As the election season heats up, Amazon Prime’s refusal to air political ads during NFL games sets it apart from traditional networks. For many fans, the ability to watch football without the constant barrage of campaign messages is a welcome relief.
Amazon’s commitment to keeping its football broadcasts free from political noise has struck a chord with its audience, allowing fans to enjoy the game without distractions during one of the most politically charged times in the country.
