CBS to Stop Airing 3 Miller Beer Ads

Viacom Inc.’s CBS network said it would stop airing three Miller beer commercials because it felt the ads were unfair to Anheuser-Busch Cos., the maker of Budweiser.

The three commercials were “unduly disparaging” of Budweiser and Bud Light, CBS said in a letter to SABMiller’s Miller Brewing unit.

Miller Brewing has targeted Anheuser’s 50% market share in the U.S. with a series of ads promoting Miller Lite as having lower carbohydrates and being preferred by drinkers over Bud Light, the bestselling U.S. beer.

Under Miller Brewing Chief Executive Norman Adami, Miller Lite sales have gained ground against Bud Light.

SABMiller is the No. 2 U.S. brewer and the world’s fourth-biggest, while Anheuser-Busch is No. 1 worldwide.