How much does a TV advertisement cost per minute? The ultimate budget guide from inquiry to execution

How much does it cost to advertise on TV for one minute? "- This is the first and most direct question that countless brand owners have raised when entering mass media marketing. However, the answer to this question, like asking "how much does it cost to buy a car" or "how much does it cost to buy a house", can range from tens of thousands of yuan on local TV stations, to millions of yuan on top TV popular programs, and even tens of millions of yuan on CCTV's golden resources.
Simply pursuing a number is meaningless and may even mislead decision-making. The real key is to understand the value logic and price system behind this minute. This article will break down the system for you, so that you not only understand "how much does TV advertising cost per minute", but also "why is this minute worth this price", and "how to plan this budget for your own brand".
Part 1: Why is there no 'standard price'? Understand the underlying logic of prices
Television advertising is not a standardized commodity, and its price is determined by a complex and dynamic 'attention auction'. What you are buying is not simply 60 seconds of time, but a specific scale and quality of audience attention gathered by a specific channel, specific time slot, and specific program.
Therefore, the significant differences in quotations stem from a combination of the following core variables:
Who is broadcasting? (Channel Value): CCTV>First tier TV stations (such as Hunan, Zhejiang, Jiangsu)>Other provincial TV stations>Local city TV stations.
When will it be broadcasted? (Time Period Value): Golden Time Period (usually 19:00-22:00)>Secondary Golden Time Period>Daytime/Late Night Time Period.
Broadcast what? (Program Value): Popular seasonal variety shows (such as "Running" and "Ace vs. Ace"), top TV series premiere>regular program>replay series.
How to broadcast? (Purchase method): Long term strategic cooperation>Single insertion purchase; Exclusive Title/Special Offer>Pre production Advertisement>Rolling Subtitles.
Only by understanding this can we proceed to the specific cost composition analysis.
Part 2: In depth Analysis of Price Composition - Five Dimensions Determine the Final Quotation
When you receive a formal TV advertising quotation, its price is mainly determined by the interweaving of the following five dimensions:
Dimension 1: Media platform hierarchy
This is the first watershed of price.
CCTV: a national platform with nationwide coverage and the highest authority. The unit price of prime time advertisements on its CCTV-1 channel is often in the tens of thousands per second, and the total price of advertisements per minute can reach tens of millions. Other professional channels (such as finance and sports) have relatively lower prices, but they are equally expensive.
Satellite TV Channel (Satellite TV): Represented by Hunan, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Dongfang, etc., relying on strong entertainment content and regional influence, it has gathered a huge young and consumer population. The interstitial advertisements of its flagship variety shows usually cost millions of dollars per minute.
Provincial ground channels and city stations: focusing on regional coverage, with much more affordable prices. It has penetration in the local market, with advertising prices ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of yuan per minute.
Dimension 2: Scarcity of Time Periods and Programs
Golden Time (19:00-22:00): The peak viewing period for the whole family, with the highest traffic and the most expensive prices.
Popular program advertisements: The price is directly linked to the program's viewership (share of viewership). What advertisers actually purchase is a promise to reach a specific number of people (usually measured by GRP/gross review points). For every one point increase in ratings, prices rise exponentially.
Special nodes: Advertising packages for major holidays such as Spring Festival and National Day will have a significant premium price.
Dimension Three: Advertising Length and Frequency of Appearance
Length: Common ones include 5 seconds, 15 seconds, and 30 seconds. Although you asked about 'one minute', in the actual market, 30 seconds is the mainstream specification, while 15 seconds and 5 seconds are mostly informative advertisements. The price is not directly proportional to the duration (for example, the price for 30 seconds is usually not twice that of 15 seconds, and there may be discounts).
Frequency: There is a huge difference in unit price between single placement and long-term, multi frequency placement. Signing an annual framework agreement is the main way to obtain discounts.
Dimension Four: Advertising Forms and Rights
Regular interstitial advertisements: broadcasted intermittently in the program, priced per episode.
Title sponsorship/special/chief cooperation: Deeply bound to the program brand, enjoying the rights of oral broadcasting, corner labeling, on-site implantation, etc., with prices much higher than simple insertion, it is a brand strategic investment.
Soft implantation: Integrating product or brand information into program content, with more complex and customized pricing methods.
Dimension 5: Agency hierarchy and negotiation space
Your procurement channel also affects the final cost. Is it through 4A advertising companies, media purchasing groups, or directly connecting with relevant departments of the television station? Agents at different levels have different negotiation abilities and discount opportunities. A professional media planning and purchasing agency that can strive for better CPRP (Cost Per View) for customers through scientific scheduling and group procurement advantages.
Part 3: From Theory to Practice - What should be your budget framework?
Although we cannot provide exact numbers, we can provide a clear reference range and planning approach:
1. National exposure (CCTV level):
Goal: Establish a national authoritative brand image.
Budget level: over ten million yuan. For example, in CCTV-1 Golden Theater SMT advertising, a single 30 second version may cost tens of thousands to millions of yuan, and sustained investment is needed to achieve effective dissemination.
2. National influence (first tier satellite TV):
Goal: Quickly increase brand awareness and influence mainstream consumer groups.
Budget level: Millions to tens of millions. For example, investing in joint special events or multiple insertions of popular variety shows for a season usually has a total budget in the tens of millions.
3. Deep cultivation of regional markets (provincial/local platforms):
Goal: Breakthrough in key markets and attract traffic through offline activities.
Budget level: Hundreds of thousands to millions. Focusing on mainstream channels in the target province for several months can achieve good regional coverage.
Key planning steps:
Step 1: Clarify the core objective - is it brand building or product promotion? The goal determines the platform and form.
Step 2: Define the core market - is it the whole country or a few key provinces?
Step 3: Seek professional proposals - consult with the advertising department of the television station or professional organizations with rich television media resources such as Tianci Media to obtain a preliminary plan and quotation range based on your goals.
Step 4: Evaluate cost-effectiveness: Don't just look at the absolute price, analyze whether the CPRP (cost per point of view) and target audience profile match your brand.
Part Four: Critical Hidden Costs - Production Costs
When discussing "how much does TV advertising cost per minute", the vast majority of people only think of media release fees. However, an advertisement that can be broadcasted on a national platform and has excellent dissemination power has equally astonishing creative and production costs, and is indispensable.
A high-quality 30 second TVC (television commercial) can have a production budget ranging from tens of thousands to millions, involving complex aspects such as director, cinematography, actors, post production effects, music copyright, etc. This expense must be planned separately and cannot be forcefully squeezed from the media budget, otherwise it will lead to the waste of huge media fees on low-quality ideas.
Part Five: Is Television Advertising Still Worth Doing? Strategic choices are key
In the era of digital media, the core value of television advertising lies in:
Unparalleled credibility and brand endorsement.
The ability to ignite public attention in a short period of time.
Covering a wide range of households that are difficult to reach through digital channels.
For new consumer brands, it can serve as a catalyst for breaking through online barriers and entering the public eye; For mature brands, it is the key to maintaining mainstream status and consolidating trust. The key lies in strategic use: using television advertising as an integrated marketing "air force" to establish awareness and trust, while combining it with the digital media "ground force" for interaction, drainage, and conversion.
Common Misconceptions and Ultimate Reminders
Misconception: Only ask about price, not value. Blindly pursuing low-priced periods may result in advertisements being unseen and budgets being completely wasted.
Misconception: Expecting miracles with just one launch. TV advertising requires a certain "threshold" and persistence, and low-frequency, short-term placements are difficult to produce results.
Misconception: Ignoring effect tracking. Use dedicated hotlines, QR codes, activity pages, or monitor brand search indices to assess the actual impact of advertising on the market.
Misconception: Treating production costs as optional. Using low-quality advertisements on the national stage is the biggest harm to the brand.
Conclusion and Call to Action
In summary, the answer to 'how much does TV advertising cost per minute' ultimately depends on your brand ambition, market goals, and strategic determination. It is a brand asset investment that requires precise calculation but has enormous potential for return.
Before making a decision, please complete the following three key actions:
Step 1: Strategic calibration - internally reconfirm whether it is really time for TV advertising to cross the key nodes of brand development at this stage.
Step 2: Professional Consultation - Seek professional support immediately. Whether through 4A companies or professional organizations like Tianci Media with full media integration capabilities, obtain a TV media placement strategy and budget simulation plan based on your industry and goals.
Step 3: Integrated Planning - Place the TV advertising budget in the overall marketing plan for the year, ensuring that it collaborates with digital marketing and offline activities to form a complete communication loop.
Now, please move beyond the simple question of 'one minute price' and turn to the systematic planning of 'a successful campaign'.