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Specsavers is just one of a number of leading brands, such as Ikea, Koppaberg and Octopus Energy, to have pulled or suspended advertisements on Andrew Neil’s new channel. Some of the companies have removed the ads following pressure from Left-wing campaigners. But viewers have responded furiously to the news, claiming the response is “short-sighted” and simply pandering to woke groups who want to see GB News fail at the first hurdle.
Express.co.uk readers have mocked Specsavers for pulling their ads from the channel, which launched on Sunday, with several urging customers to cancel any upcoming appointments with the opticians.
One person wrote: “Just cancelled my annual eye test. Will be moving to another provider now.”
Another user said: “Suggest that people book up all the appointments and then cancel at the last minute. Give a new meaning to ‘CANCEL CULTURE’.”
“A third wrote: “Companies are free to make that choice, of course, just as consumers are free to disapprove of that choice and stop buying their goods/services.”
Another reader said: “Cancelled my appointment.”
In response, someone wrote: “I’ve not bothered cancelling mine – it will just be a no show.”
One reader quipped: “How short sighted of them.”
Another added: “I am due to get my glasses changed. Last time it was Specsavers. Not this time.
“I will not support companies driven by the cries of the minority woke brigade.
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Another user agreed and wrote: “Choosing where you advertise to get the best return – yes.
“Choosing where you advertise to make a political point – setting a dangerous precedent.
“Hence people are taking note of this and voicing their own opinion on the choice made – and taking their business elsewhere.
“As you so correctly put it, entirely the choice of the private individual.”
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has also waded into the row and urged brands not to “succumb to pressure groups”.
He told the Daily Mail: “One of the cornerstones of our liberties is our robust, free and diverse media and GB News is a welcome addition to that diversity.
“As we’ve seen this week with the totally unacceptable harassment of a BBC journalist, we cannot take it for granted.
“It is up to brands to advertise where they wish, but it would be worrying if they allow themselves to succumb to pressure groups.
“They should note that GB News is regulated by Ofcom and held to the same high standards as every other broadcaster in the UK.”
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