How much does it cost to advertise on UK TV? Here's what Channel 4, ITV and more charge for slots (2024)

As the likes of Facebook continue to muscle in on UK TV ad spend, The Drum takes a look at how much it actually costs to buy a slot on some of the UK's most popular channels.

Last week Facebook unveiled a set-top TV app to host video content in a move that could soon see it compete with platforms such as YouTube as well as traditional TV channels.

While TV remains a central part of the mix, there's no denying that digital ad spend is leapfrogging it at a superheated pace, and eMarketer predicts that by 2020 online ads will account for 60% of marketing budgets while TV will represent just 21.5% - a decline from the projected 25% slice anticipated this year.

However, there is an ongoing debate in the industry about the transparency of the digital ecosystem. Both YouTube and Facebook have come under fire for issues around data and brand safety and while pre-Brexit jitters pervaded the conversation around brands' 2017 TV budgets, the Broadcasters Audience Research Board (Barb) claims that the average UK viewer watches 45 TV ads a day without skipping.

Studies maintain the popularity of TV as a platform, with Americans watching 5 hours of TV per day and their European neighbours still tuning in for at least 3 hours. And with news on the recent forays into developing addressable TV for use, we see the continued relevance of television for advertising purposes.

Although it's clear digital will continue on its path to domination, the effectiveness of TV is still likely to be a hot topic over the next 12 months. As such The Drum has pulled together a rundown of the estimated costs for brands looking to stump up for a TV slot using data from independent TV planning and buying agency Guerillascope.

The figures below provide a guide to the average cost of a 30-second slot on each network, though pricing can change throughout the year.

ITV

How much does it cost to advertise on UK TV? Here's what Channel 4, ITV and more charge for slots (1)

A 30-second ad during ITV's breakfast schedule between the likes of Good Morning Britain or Lorraine costs between £3,000 to £4,000 on average. For a daytime slot, ads of the same time length come in at £3,500 to £4,500, while a peak rate alternative can cost anything from £10,000 £30,000.

Channel 4

On average Channel 4 is cheaper than ITV. A 30-second slot on daytime TV can cost between £1,000 to £2,000. Peak rates during shows like Hollyoaks or Catastrophe clock in at £10,000 to £20,000.

Channel 5

How much does it cost to advertise on UK TV? Here's what Channel 4, ITV and more charge for slots (3)

Channel 5 is the cheapest national ex-terrestrial channel to advertise on according to Guerillascope's estimates. The typical cost of a day rate ad is £800 to £1,600. A peak time slot - which can be purchased for breaks during programmes like Neighbours or Big Brother - can cost between £2,500 to £4,500.

Sky 1

How much does it cost to advertise on UK TV? Here's what Channel 4, ITV and more charge for slots (4)

The approximate cost to advertise on Sky One during daytime shows like Stargate Atlantis can be anything between £150 to £250. A 30-second slot during peak time between the likes of the Simpsons can cost anything from £650 to £1,150.

Sports channels

How much does it cost to advertise on UK TV? Here's what Channel 4, ITV and more charge for slots (5)

Rates for a half-minute-long ad vary widely depending on the type of sport, the type of advertiser and even the team that’s playing. For instance, a Chelsea v Arsenal match will have a totally different price to Sunderland v Hull. The average estimated cost of a 30-second slot on Sky Sports during peak time can fall anywhere between £60 to £750. Daytime rates for the channel come in at £10 to £50. Eurosport's rates are a little different. The channel's peak rate ads clock in at £100 to £150, while day rate campaigns cost between £50 to £100. A early peak time slot on BT Sport will come at a price between £20 to £200 for advertisers while a night time slot, like those offered during the NBA Action cost a modest £5 to £30.

Other digital channels

How much does it cost to advertise on UK TV? Here's what Channel 4, ITV and more charge for slots (6)

Big brands are no stranger to buying spaces on Channel 4 or Sky 1, but away from the more popular channels there are a few digital alternatives which offer ads at lower rates for those on a budget. For instance, slots on the Horror Channel start at £50 to £150 for a day rate and go up to £150 to £300 for a peak rate ad, which would run during programming like the 1993 version of Attack of the 50ft Woman. Meanwhile day rates on Animal Planet, E! and Hum all come in at between £0 to £50.

How much does it cost to advertise on UK TV? Here's what Channel 4, ITV and more charge for slots (2024)

FAQs

How much does it cost to advertise on ITV UK? ›

How much does a TV advert cost? From the numbers, you can see a TV advert campaign running for a month can easily be had for £30,000. If you want to target a wider audience, you can spend £200,000 and advertise on ITV.

How much is spent on TV advertising in the UK? ›

In 2022, total TV advertising spending in the United Kingdom reached 5.38 billion British pounds, out of which roughly 845.3 million was attributed to broadcaster video-on-demand advertising.

How much does it cost to have an advert on BBC? ›

250/sec approx. and your ad is 10 second long, the cost for playing the ad once on BBC World News will come to Rs. 250 X 10 = Rs. 2,500 approx. or up to few lakhs approx.

How much does a 30-second commercial cost on national TV? ›

In the United States, a 30-second commercial spot on a popular prime-time TV show can cost about $100,000. However, in some European countries, it costs less than $10,000. Depending on the market, the average cost of a 30-second TV advertisem*nt will be around $8,000.

What is the most expensive advertising slot in the UK? ›

The most expensive advertising time slot is during The X Factor finals when 30 seconds costs around £200,000. Guinness and Chanel have produced some of the most expensive adverts of all time. In 2007, the Guinness advert entitled Tipping Point cost £10 million.

What is the most expensive TV advert UK? ›

Sports Direct: Christmas ad (2021)

That is why now we will discuss the most expensive TV Advert from 2021. For this £6 million Christmas TV commercial, Sports Direct decided to assemble 16 of the country's greatest athletic talents. Some of the names include tennis player Emma Raducanu and footballer Jack Grealishthe.

Is UK TV ad free? ›

In order for us to keep the service free, we have to show a selection of adverts, but you'll see much fewer than you would during a traditional TV ad break. The level of advertising on UKTV Play is comparable to other ad funded on demand services.

Who is the biggest TV advertiser in the UK? ›

In 2021, Procter & Gamble ranked as the most-viewed TV advertiser in the United Kingdom. TV ads from the consumer goods company generated 26.1 billion commercial impacts. Sky appeared as the second leading advertiser, with 23.3 billion impacts.

How many ads per hour on TV UK? ›

On the commercial channels, the amount of airtime allowed by the British broadcasting regulator Ofcom for advertising is an overall average of 7 minutes per hour, with limits of 12 minutes for any particular clock hour (8 minutes per hour between 18.00 and 23.00h).

What is the most expensive TV program to advertise on? ›

Sunday Night Football (NBC) and Thursday Night Football (FOX) were the most expensive shows for broadcast TV advertising during the 2020/21 season in the United States. Data showed that 30-second spots during these programs were priced at 783.7 thousand and 624.6 thousand U.S. dollars, respectively.

How much does Fox News charge for a commercial? ›

The average cost of a 30-second spot during prime time (which SMI deems 7 p.m. – 10:59 p.m.) has grown for each network. Fox News now sees $8,286 per :30 spot compared to $7,843 before the election. CNN went from $5,122 to $5,467.

What was the most expensive TV advert ever? ›

#1: No.

5 perfume is still by far the most expensive commercial that we know of. It carries an eye-popping budget of $33 million! Directed by Baz Luhrmann and starring Nicole Kidman, the ad certainly feels reminiscent of “Moulin Rouge!”, a project that these two notable creatives collaborated on.

How much does a TV ad cost in Canada? ›

A DIY spot can cost as low as $1,000 for a 30-second spot. The median cost of around $20,000 for a professionally produced commercial spot increases to upwards of many millions if major celebrity talent is involved. Short-form commercial spots of 15, 30, or 60 seconds cost around the same.

How much does a 30 second ad cost for the Super Bowl? ›

Super Bowl commercials keep costing more and more — but companies are still willing to pay up. Most 30-second ad spots cost between $6 million and $7 million, Fox Sports told the Associated Press this week. A few sold for more than $7 million.

How much does it cost for a 30 second commercial on the Super Bowl? ›

Super Bowl commercial price history
YearPrice of 30-second commercial
2019$5,300,000
2020$5,600,000
2021$5,500,000
2022$6,500,000
52 more rows
Feb 12, 2023

Is TV advertising still effective in the UK? ›

TV advertising trends

The latest forecasts indicate that growth will eventually subside in the future, but even so, the high spending level suggests that television remains a vital asset to advertisers throughout the UK.

Who are the top 10 advertisers in the UK? ›

While it did not name specific advertisers, the UK's 10 biggest spenders include the Marmite to Dove maker Unilever, Sky, BT, Tesco, Asda, Virgin Media, L'Oréal, and the Fairy to Pampers maker Procter & Gamble.

Who are the biggest advertisers in the UK? ›

According to data from YouGov BrandIndex - which monitors consumer perceptions toward brands daily – Coca-Cola, ITV Hub, and Baileys made the biggest gains in Ad Awareness in the UK for the month of December 2022.

What BBC channel is the most expensive? ›

In the fiscal year ending March 31, 2022, CBBC cost 33 pence per user hour to produce that year and was the most expensive TV channel.

Who is the most expensive TV in the world? ›

Top 3 Most Expensive TVs are as follows:
  • Samsung The Wall Luxury 292-inch Ultra HD 8K Smart MicroLED TV: Ultra Slim, 7680 x 4320 pixels, 292 in, 178 ° Viewing Angle, Screen Mirroring / Miracast Support.
  • LG Signature OLED65R1PTA 65 inch Ultra HD 4K Rollable Smart OLED TV: Wifi, Ethernet, 4K Resolution, HDMI, OLED TV.

How much do actors get paid for commercials UK? ›

Bearing in mind commercials are costed individually, it's difficult to ascertain an average across the sector, but a typical gig for a known brand will be pay in the region of £2,000-£4,000 to cover a few days of shooting and image rights for 2-4 years. For ongoing payments, movies, TV, and film.

How many TV channels are free in the UK? ›

Currently, the United Kingdom has a collection of free-to-air, free-to-view and subscription services over a variety of distribution media, through which there are over 480 channels for consumers as well as on-demand content. There are six main channel owners who are responsible for most material viewed.

How many ads do we see a day UK? ›

Number of TV ads seen daily per person in the United Kingdom (UK) 2005-2021. It was calculated that TV viewers in the United Kingdom saw on an average of 36 television commercials or advertisem*nts per day per person in 2021, down from 41 ads viewed in the previous year.

How much is ITV ad free? ›

Auto-renews at £2.99/month for 2 months then £5.99/month. Full offer terms below. †You can cancel at any time before your first or next billing date to avoid future charges.

What is the most watched TV episode of all time UK? ›

The state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II (19 September 2022) was watched by an average audience of 18.5 million viewers on BBC channels.
...
Most watched special events.
Rank1
Event1966 FIFA World Cup final: England v West Germany
Average audience (millions)32.30
Date30 July 1966
Network(s)BBC One/ITV
9 more columns

What is the most watched TV show in UK? ›

There was an eclectic mix in the top 10. The most-watched TV programmes of the year in the UK have been revealed, with the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II topping the list.

What is the most watched news channel in the UK? ›

TV channels most used for news UK 2013-2022

The leading TV news channel in the United Kingdom is forecast to be BBC One in 2022, with a share of 72 percent. Nevertheless, a total of 84 percent of news consumers aged 16 or above is expected to use any BBC channel.

Do the British watch a lot of TV? ›

An ICM poll conducted for TV Licensing's TeleScope report reveals adults in Britain think they watch an average of less than 20 hours of TV a week, or around three hours a day, but official statistics collected by the Broadcasters' Audience Research Board (BARB) show the true average in 2010 was more than 30 hours a ...

Is ITV hub closing down? ›

Unfortunately this technology is not supported by some device models and will no longer be compatible after the end of September 2022. You can continue to use ITV Hub on your device for now, but after this time the ITV Hub app will no longer be updated or available on some devices.

What is the longest running advert in the UK? ›

What's the length of the longest TV commercial ever made? No points for saying "Dance", the Saatchi & Saatchi spot for T-Mobile featuring 350 dancers at London's Liverpool Street station. At two minutes, 40 seconds, it lays claim to be the longest British TV ad of modern times.

Who are the largest TV advertisers in the US? ›

Top TV advertisers in the U.S. 2021

In 2021, GEICO was the leading TV advertiser in the United States, with a spend of 790 million U.S. dollars. CBS followed with a spend of 732 million dollars, while Progressive completed the top three with a spend of 641 million.

How much does a 30-second advertising spot for GREY's anatomy cost? ›

'Grey's Anatomy'

ABC's Thursday night medical drama “Grey's Anatomy” rounds out the top 10 most expensive shows to advertise during, with a 30-second commercial spot on the 8 p.m. show costing an average of $193,210.

How much does a 30-second ad cost on Fox? ›

The network has reported consistently strong numbers this season—its recent week six game averaged 22.3 million viewers, up 28% compared to the previous year. Fox's Sunday NFL Doubleheader, which does not air in prime time, boasted an average cost of $879,172 for 30 seconds.

Who is the highest paid TV commercial actor? ›

1. Paul Marcarelli as the “Can You Hear Me Now?” Guy – Net Worth: $10 Million.

How much does a 30-second commercial cost on ESPN? ›

Prime-time spots on network television that may cost $2,000 to $3,000 per spot usually cost around $175 on cable. For a 30-second spot in a suburban area, advertisers may only spend $25 per spot on channels like CNN and ESPN, $20 for Nickelodeon and TNN, and $15 for channels such as VH-1.

How much do actors get paid for a commercial? ›

TV Commercial Actor or Actress Salary
PercentileSalaryLocation
25th Percentile TV Commercial Actor or Actress Salary$61,200US
50th Percentile TV Commercial Actor or Actress Salary$74,266US
75th Percentile TV Commercial Actor or Actress Salary$90,676US
90th Percentile TV Commercial Actor or Actress Salary$105,616US
1 more row

What is the most famous commercial of all time? ›

TV's Most Memorable Commercials
  • 1959: The First Ever Barbie Commercial.
  • 1965: The Oscar Mayer Wiener Jingle.
  • 1970: Tootsie Roll Tootsie Roll Pop.
  • 1971: Coca-Cola “Hilltop”
  • 1971: Keep America Beautiful's “Crying Indian”
  • 1971: Life Cereal “Three Brothers”
  • 1979: Coca-Cola “Mean Joe Greene”
  • 1984: Apple Computer “1984”

How much does it cost to air a Super Bowl commercial? ›

There's a reason Super Bowl commercials have gotten so pricey since 1967. Super Bowl commercials keep costing more and more — but companies are still willing to pay up. Most 30-second ad spots cost between $6 million and $7 million, Fox Sports told the Associated Press this week.

What is the longest running TV ad in history? ›

The longest TV commercial by duration is 14 hr, and was produced by Procter & Gamble (Brazil), promoting Old Spice Deodorant, and aired in São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil, on 8 December 2018. The TV commercial was broadcast on the TV channel Woohoo on 8 December from 6am to 8pm.

How much does a 30-second radio ad cost in Canada? ›

We asked radio sales managers in three different-sized markets to estimate the cost of running a 30-second ad about 20 times a week for a year. Costs ranged from roughly $400 per week in Hamilton, Ont.; $600 to $1,200 per week in Saskatchewan cities; to $2,000 per week in Vancouver.

How much does a local radio ad cost? ›

The average cost per spot of a radio ad is between $200 and $5000 per week. However, depending widely on location, you can find spots for as low as $5 or as high as $8000. You can see that peak prices tend to be during the morning rush hour or later on in the day when people are done with work.

How much do halftime performers get paid at the Super Bowl? ›

In fact, there is no pay day at all. While it may come as a surprise to some, the truth is that Super Bowl halftime show performers don't get paid for their concerts. Instead, the NFL pays for all expenses associated with putting on the halftime show, including travel costs.

How much did the Dunkin Donuts Super Bowl commercial cost? ›

The 30-second ad space alone cost Dunkin' approximately $7 million.In the ad, Affleck mans the drive-through booth at the Dunkin' on the Fellsway in Medford, Massachusetts, with a Boston accent and shocks customers.

Who paid the most for Super Bowl commercials? ›

Most expensive Super Bowl ads 2021

Google's "Loretta" and Amazon's "Before Alexa" Super Bowl 2020 ads tied as most expensive Super Bowl commercials ever as of January 2021, with a cost of 16.8 U.S. million dollars.

How much is the most expensive ticket for the Super Bowl? ›

As things stand, the most expensive standard-seating Super Bowl ticket i.e., those which aren't at club level or combined with additional perks, will set you back $43,050 with taxes included. For that price you will sit in Section 108, Row 2.

How much is the cheapest seat at the Super Bowl? ›

How much did Super Bowl tickets cost in 2022? Multiple reports indicate the lowest "on location" price for the 2022 Super Bowl in Los Angeles started at $5,823. The cheapest Super Bowl tickets from SeatGeek, Vivid Seats, StubHub and the NFL Exchange averaged out to $4,366.

How much is the average Super Bowl ticket? ›

Super Bowl Ticket Prices in 2023

Depending on the seats available, prices started just below $5,000 and went all the way up to around $36,000 for the most premium seats. Most of the available seats were in the lower range, making the average Super Bowl ticket for 2023 a hefty $8,000.

How much does an ITV cost? ›

In the case of Madrid, the management of the centers is liberalized, so prices fluctuate from one center to another. For example, the cost of the ITV for a gasoline car can be between €40 and €50, and in the case of a diesel car, it will range between €55 and €65.

How much does ITV make from advertising? ›

And while ad revenues in the media and entertainment business were 1% lower at £2.2 billion after a record 2021 result, it said this was still the second highest advertising revenue in ITV's history, with digital ad sales jumping 18% to £411 million. Total group revenues rose 8% to £3.7 billion in 2022, it said.

How much is it to advertise in a local newspaper UK? ›

The other factor to the cost of newspaper ads is the publication and size of the ad. It will cost between £50 to £3,000 per ad. The cost of design also needs to be factored in, depending on the complexity of the ad it could set you back around £500.

Is ITV free in US? ›

How can you watch ITV America for free? ITV is a subscription UK TV channel. You will have to buy an ITV subscription and use a VPN service to be able to watch ITV from abroad.

Can you subscribe to ITV in the US? ›

Here are the five quick steps to answer how can I watch ITV Hub outside UK (in USA): Subscribe to a premium VPN service (Recommended: ExpressVPN). Download and install the VPN app on the device you wish to stream. Sign in to the VPN app and connect to a UK server (Recommended: Docklands server).

Is ITV a free channel? ›

ITV1 (formerly known as ITV) is a British free-to-air public broadcast television channel owned and operated by the British media company ITV plc.

Who pays the most for TV advertising? ›

In 2021, life and entertainment was the industry with the highest TV advertising spending in the United States, reaching 10.1 billion U.S. dollars.

How do ITV make money? ›

We earn pay revenue from platforms in the UK by licensing our HD channels and from our online streaming services.

Who pays the most for advertising? ›

How The Top Biggest Ad Spenders in The U.S. Spend Their Money
  • Charter Communications – $2.42 billion. ...
  • Ford Motor Company – $2.45 billion. ...
  • Verizon Communications – $2.64 billion. ...
  • General Motors – $3.24 billion. ...
  • Amazon – $3.38 billion. ...
  • AT&T – $3.52 billion. ...
  • Procter & Gamble – $4.39 billion. ...
  • Comcast Corp. – $5.75 billion.

How much does it cost to go ad free on Channel 4? ›

STREAM 1500 SHOWS AD FREE*

£3.99 a month or £39.99 annually after free trial ends. You'll be billed automatically when the free trial ends unless you cancel it. Channel 4+ benefits available in UK only. Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy apply.

How long are ITV ads? ›

We offer anything between multiple five to 120-second ad spots and even full break takeovers! There are also other options such as teleshopping if you'd prefer 30 minutes to tell your story.

How much does a TV advert cost for 30 seconds UK? ›

A 30-second slot on daytime TV can cost between £1,000 to £2,000. Top tier rates during shows like Hollyoaks or Catastrophe clock come in at £10,000 to £20,000.

How much does the Times newspaper cost in the UK? ›

Pay £1 per month for your first 6 months, then pay £15 per month thereafter. Your payment & subscription will be managed via Google Play. Unlimited access across all devices.

How much are UK daily newspapers? ›

UK national newspaper cover prices, 2013-2023
20132021
The Times£1.00£2.20
The Times (Saturday)£1.50£2.50
The Sunday Times£2.50£3.00
The Guardian£1.40£2.20
17 more rows
Jan 25, 2023

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