Frequently Asked Advertising Questions

Learn more about what it takes to advertise on one of the the most popular networks on television. The answers might surprise you and help you become the leader in your market.

Who can advertise on TV?

Television has proven over many years that ANY business can benefit from using our medium to reach potential customers. Whether your enterprise is retail, service, manufacturing, business to business, or distribution-based, NBC can help you research, refine, reach, persuade, and GROW your sphere of influence.

How much does it cost?

That's probably our most frequently asked question! Most business owners have a perception that television is "WAY too expensive" for their operation. That's simply not true. Generally, advertising on ANY medium is priced by the same factors: 1) audience size* 2) demand, and (sometimes) 3) seasonality.

*Audience size is the most likely predictor of an advertising rate.

Can I use TV to reach a VERY specific audience?

Absolutely! While many advertisers use the VAST power of television's REACH among the general public, there are just as many who have VERY specific target audiences that they need to reach to succeed. Some stations, and programs will do better at reaching your target audience than others, but 98% of the people in a given market watch TV every day.

Various audience research tools exist that can assist you in pinpointing your audience on TV. At NBC, we're pleased to employ full-time professionals and the best tools in the industry to help you refine your audience and your message.

Can I buy news coverage?

Coverage -- No, and that's a good thing! The credibility of our News operation is paramount to our success, and to our relationship with the viewer. It's likely that no television station would compromise this relationship for the sake of its business mission.

Most TV stations sell sponsorships of segments in their news, that is: "This news/weather/sports is brought to you by...", and some will incorporate cause-marketing efforts or co-branded promotions featuring news personnel into their overall strategy, but stories about your business are not for sale.

What's involved in producing a commercial?

Another question that we get a lot! There are as many approaches to producing commercials as there are commercials, so the sky is the limit! Production of a typical :30 commercial involves: planning, copywriting, shooting time, editing time, design and production of graphics, an announcer, and more. And Internet ads are even more flexible. The production varies greatly depending on your concept, so the sky is the limit! Be sure to ask your Account Manager for more details.

I've never advertised before, how much should I budget for an initial advertising project?

The answer to this question is closely tied to your goals for advertising, and your business plan. According to the Kiplinger's Small Business Start-Up Kit, on average, businesses devote 4-8% of their gross sales to advertising. Those looking to grow their market share dedicate even more!