Fox refused to air that commercial during the Superbowl. Did a couple of local TV stations run it? That seems to be the implication of the article.
Fox decided not to air it NATIONALLY. That did not preclude any REGIONAL OUTLET from airing it. Some of them did.
The word ‘unexpectedly’ in the title is misleading.
Many of the commercials during the superbowl, in years past, were aired by local stations and promoted local businesses.
Not sure if that is still true but sounds like it might be.