• February 2, 2001

(AP) - The Fox television network turned down a commercial for a female contraceptive product that its makers wanted to run during the racy hit reality series, "Temptation Island." The show - which drew its biggest audience ever during its fourth airing on Wednesday night - features four unmarried couples brought to a tropical island to test their relationships by dating attractive singles.

One couple was removed from "Temptation Island" during Wednesday's episode when it was revealed they had a child.

A bargain-hunting advertising representative for the spermicide Encare said he made his request for ad time on Monday, the same day The New York Times ran a story saying prices were being driven down because advertisers were reluctant to be on the show.

The request was rejected, said Al Kestnbaum, president of Chestnut Communications in Greenwich, Conn.

"I can't believe that they have a show that glorifies promiscuity but won't accept an ad for a female contraceptive product," Kestnbaum said Thursday, confirming a report in The Wall Street Journal.

Fox will accept contraceptive ads only if the product's main stated purpose is disease protection, spokeswoman Julie Rothman said. The Encare commercial didn't qualify, she said.