30-Second Commercial Cost: What It Really Costs in 2025

When you think about a 30-second commercial, a short, paid video ad designed to promote a product or service on television. Also known as a TV spot, it's one of the most direct ways to reach millions of viewers in just half a minute. But here’s the truth: the price tag isn’t just about the airtime. It’s the production, the audience targeting, the network, the time of day, and even the season. A 30-second spot during the Super Bowl can cost over $7 million. A local cable ad in a small town? That might run you $50. The difference isn’t magic—it’s data.

The real driver behind the cost is CPM, the cost per thousand viewers your ad reaches. Cost per mille is how broadcasters and networks price ad space. If a show has 100,000 viewers and the CPM is $20, your 30-second commercial costs $2,000. Simple math, but it gets messy fast. Ratings change. Streaming ads don’t use CPM the same way. And production? A basic ad shot on a phone might cost $500. A polished, scripted spot with actors, a director, and editing? That can hit $20,000 or more. You’re not just paying for airtime—you’re paying for attention.

And then there’s media buying, the process of purchasing ad time across TV channels and platforms. Ad placement isn’t just about picking a channel. It’s about matching your audience. A local bakery doesn’t need a national network slot. A new tech app might need prime time on ESPN to hit young male viewers. The best buyers know where your people are watching—not just how many are watching. That’s why some brands spend half their budget on production and the other half on smart placement.

You don’t need a Fortune 500 budget to run a 30-second commercial. But you do need to know what you’re buying. Is it reach? Or is it relevance? Local cable, regional networks, even YouTube pre-rolls can deliver better ROI than a national spot if you’re targeting the right people. The most expensive ad isn’t always the most effective. The smartest one is the one that gets seen by the people who actually care.

Below, you’ll find real breakdowns of what these ads cost in 2025—from small-town radio spots to national TV buys. No fluff. Just numbers, strategies, and what actually works when you’re trying to turn a 30-second window into a customer.