How Much Does TV Advertising Cost? A 2025 Guide

Ever wondered: How much does it cost to advertise on TV for higher ed institutions? Too much. And for what? A 30-second spot that burns through your budget in seconds—with zero guarantees of traceable ROI? Sounds like a marketing nightmare.

Let’s be real. Traditional TV advertising is stuck in the past. It’s expensive, outdated, and worst of all—you’re throwing money into a black hole with no way to track ROI. How much does a TV commercial cost? You could be looking at tens or even hundreds of thousands for a single prime-time slot. And once it airs? No idea. No retargeting. No performance data. Just hope and pray that someone, somewhere, saw it.

There’s a smarter way. Enter Connected TV (CTV). Same big screen, better results.. It’s targeted. It’s measurable. It’s the future. And if you’re still dumping your budget into traditional TV ads? It’s time to change the freaking channel.

Exploring the Basics of TV and CTV Advertising Costs

Let’s get real—how much is TV advertising? Prices vary, but expect to spend thousands just for a single ad. A national TV spot? Easily six figures. Even a local ad during prime time can set you back tens of thousands, and that’s before production costs. And here’s the kicker—you’re paying for eyeballs, not engagement. It may not be expensive for the likes of big brands, but for higher education like you, it is!

TV ad pricing is a total gamble. You don’t know who’s actually watching, you can’t retarget, and there’s no real performance tracking. That means no data on conversions, no way to adjust in real-time, and zero proof that your ad dollars are working. Does it help with enrollment goals? College applications? Campus visits? Honestly, there’s no way of knowing. Traditional TV can be a huge investment, and for many universities, it’s hard to justify.

Meanwhile, how much does it cost to advertise on CTV? A fraction of that—with actual data to justify every dollar spent. CTV gives you the same big-screen impact, but with digital-style targeting and real-time tracking. Unlike traditional TV, you don’t just hope your ad lands—you KNOW it does. You see who watched, what they did next, and whether your campaign is actually working.

Factors Influencing the High Cost to Advertise on TV

Let’s talk numbers—how much is it to advertise on TV? Short answer: way too much. Long answer? It’s a bloated, outdated system that charges premium prices for minimum results. Here’s why:

1. Production Costs: Before You Even Air
   Before your ad even hits the screen, you’re dropping thousands on production. Want a high-quality, professional TV ad? Expect to pay anywhere from $10K to $500K—and that’s just for making the commercial, not actually airing it.
2. Airtime: The Real Wallet Crusher
   So you’ve got your ad—now you need to buy airtime. The cost? All over the place. A national primetime slot? Easily $100K+. Even local TV isn’t cheap. Oh, and if you want your ad during a game or a big event? Double, triple, even quadruple the price.
3. Hidden Fees & Zero Tracking
   Networks tack on extra fees for prime slots, peak seasons, and “premium” placements. And the worst part? No tracking. No real data on who saw it, what action they took, or whether it even worked.

So yeah, spending $100K+ on a primetime ad… with no way to measure real ROI? Sounds like throwing money away for universities and colleges. And honestly, you don’t want to waste your budget.

Comparison of National vs. Local TV vs. CTV Advertising Costs

When it comes to TV advertising, you’ve got three options: national TV, local TV, and CTV. One of them makes sense in 2025—and spoiler alert, it’s not traditional TV.

National TV: Expensive & Big Brands Focused

If you’re even considering national TV ads, brace your wallet. A 30-second national primetime slot? Easily $100K+. And if you’re eyeing a Super Bowl ad? $7M. That’s millions—for one shot, no retargeting, and no real way to track conversions. Does national TV work? Sure, but for big public brands, not universities.

Local TV: Still Not Cheap

So maybe national TV is out of the question, but how much to advertise on local TV? Still a stretch. A local primetime slot? Expect to pay $5K+ per airing. And unless you’re willing to settle for a 3 AM time slot, those prices climb fast. Even worse? You still get zero audience targeting—you’re just hoping the right people are watching at that moment and even if they are, how would you know if it works? You can’t connect college applications to TV slots.

CTV: The Smarter Play

Now, how much is CTV advertising? A fraction of traditional TV costs. Instead of paying a fortune for generic airtime, CTV lets you set your budget, target the right audience, and track performance in real-time. Some campaigns start at just a few thousand per month, scaling as needed.

Estimating the Cost of a 30-Second CTV Commercial

A 30-second TV ad could wipe out your entire marketing budget—and for what? One package airing, no retargeting, no insights, and no guarantee your audience even saw it. Meanwhile, how much does it cost to advertise on CTV? Way less, with way better results.

CTV vs. Traditional TV: The Cost Breakdown

Let’s talk numbers. Traditional TV pricing is a black hole for your budget:

• National TV: $100K+ for a single primetime slot
• Local TV: $5K+ per airing, still no audience targeting
• Super Bowl Ad: A $7M+ for one shot

And after all that spending? No way to track if your ad actually worked. No audience insights. No do-overs. You’re gambling with your marketing dollars, hoping that your ideal target somewhere was actually paying attention.

Now, let’s compare that to CTV advertising:

• $15-$50 per 1,000 impressions (CPM)
• Flexible budgets—we control the spend for you
• You only pay for real views, not “maybe they saw it” guesses
• Instant performance data—so we can optimize in real time

The Smarter Way to Advertise

With CTV, you’re in control. No more overpaying for airtime that might reach your audience. Every ad dollar is trackable, targeted, and measurable. We can adjust, retarget, and optimize your campaign as it runs.

So, how much is CTV advertising? Less than you think—and every cent is trackable. It’s 2025—why pay for ads you hope work when you can invest in ads you know work to drive enrollment, application, or even campus visits for your college?

How Prices Vary Across Different Networks and Times

Let’s talk about the TV ad pricing mess. How much does a TV commercial cost? That depends—on the network, the time slot, the season, and even how much the station thinks they can squeeze out of you.

A 30-second ad during prime time on a top network? That’s $100K+ per airing. A non-prime time slot on a smaller channel? Maybe $5K-$10K, but good luck reaching the right audience. And if you’re aiming for a big event? That’s a casual $7M+—for one shot at the Super Bowl. Are you willing to pay that much?

And here’s the kicker: these prices are not set in stone. They fluctuate wildly based on demand, seasonal trends, and network politics. You could pay twice as much for the exact same slot just because it’s a certain time of year. Want a better slot? Get ready to outbid your competitors.

Tips for Budgeting Your CTV Advertising Campaign

The beauty of CTV is you’re in control—unlike traditional TV, where ad costs are sky-high and unpredictable. With CTV, you set the budget, target the right audience, and track performance in real time. Want to make the most of it? Here’s how:

1. Start Small & Test
   No need to dump your entire budget upfront. Begin with a small spend, test different creatives, and see what resonates. CTV’s targeting allows you to hone in on your ideal audience—so use it.
2. Optimize Based on Data
   You get real-time insights. Unlike traditional TV, you know exactly how your ad is performing. If something isn’t working? Tweak it. Adjust your targeting. Swap out creatives. You’re never stuck with a campaign that’s not delivering.
3. Scale When You See Results
   Once you identify what works, increase your budget strategically. With CTV, you’re not locked into expensive, rigid contracts—you scale up when your ads are actually driving ROI.

Analyzing the ROI of CTV Advertising

Let’s be blunt—traditional TV ads are a money blackhole for higher ed. You pour in thousands (or millions), and once your ad airs? Poof. No tracking, no retargeting, no way to know if it actually worked. You’re left guessing if it led to conversions or just became background noise.

CTV flips the script. Every ad dollar is trackable, optimized, and accountable. With real-time analytics, A/B testing, and audience targeting, you’re not just hoping your ad reaches the right people—you know it does.

So, how much does it cost to advertise on CTV compared to traditional TV? Way less, with infinitely better ROI. Instead of blindly throwing money at airtime, you can adjust campaigns on the fly, retarget engaged viewers, and directly measure conversions. It’s TV advertising with digital-level precision.

Planning Your CTV Advertising Strategy

It’s time for higher education to plan smarter. If you’re still stuck in traditional TV advertising, you’re spending money on a system that doesn’t understand your university goals. With CTV, you can set clear goals, target the right audience, and track every ad’s performance—so let’s do this the right way.

At AmbioEdu, we don’t just run ads—we build campaigns specifically for higher education clients and, guess what, we drive real results. We help schools reach the right students at the right time, using storytelling, data, and strategy to make an impact. With our approach, you know exactly where your budget is going—and what it’s delivering.

It’s 2025. If you’re still asking, how much is CTV advertising instead of switching to it, you’re already behind. Time to switch the dial—because traditional TV ads are stuck on static for colleges. We’ll get your ads in front of the right people—and make every dollar count. Let’s talk.