Why is TV Advertising So Expensive?

The short answer:  It doesn’t have to be!  You need a partner that understands how to negotiate with media companies.   In general though, there are a few reasons why TV advertising is more expensive than other mediums:

• Large audience reach: TV is a mass medium, which means that it can reach a large number of people. This makes it a very attractive advertising platform for businesses that want to reach a wide audience.
• High production values: TV commercials are typically produced with high production values, which means that they can be very expensive to create. This is because they often feature professional actors, directors, and crew, as well as expensive sets and props.
• Competing for attention: TV is a crowded media landscape, which means that businesses have to compete for attention from viewers. This drives up the cost of advertising, as businesses need to pay more to ensure that their commercials are seen by viewers.
• Demand: The demand for TV advertising is high, which also drives up the cost. This is because businesses are willing to pay a premium to advertise on TV, as they know that it is an effective way to reach a large audience.

Here are some examples of how much TV advertising can cost:

• A 30-second commercial during the Super Bowl can cost upwards of $5 million.
• A 30-second commercial during a prime-time broadcast can cost between $100,000 and $500,000.
• A 30-second commercial during a local news broadcast can cost between $5,000 and $10,000.

Of course, the actual cost of TV advertising will vary depending on a number of factors, such as the time of day, the program, and the target audience. However, it is clear that TV advertising can be a very expensive proposition for businesses.

Here are some tactics we use for our clients that are looking to advertise on TV:

• Target the audience: It is important to target your advertising to the right audience. This will help you to ensure that your commercials are seen by people who are likely to be interested in your products or services.
• Use creative commercials: Creative commercials are more likely to stand out from the competition and get viewers’ attention.
• Buy ad time during popular programs: Popular programs will attract a large audience, which will help you to reach more people with your advertising.
• Negotiate with the networks & tv stations: We can almost always negotiate significantly lower rates for TV advertising.  This is where teaming up with an experienced agency can help you!