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What Are the Advantages of Advertising on TV?

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

Even in an age when many people turn to the Internet for everything from information to entertainment, there are still a number of advantages of advertising on TV, both on local channels and on major networks. While the cost can be somewhat expensive, the potential benefits of using this particular advertising medium are considerable, including the ability to reach a larger audience, target the television advertising based on time slots, and even the ability to deliver commercials that are repeated often enough to become familiar and eventually prompt viewers to give those products a chance.

One of the main advantages of advertising on TV is the size of the audience that is reached with the ads. While online usage continues to grow, is there are still consumers who either are not connected to the Internet or who limit their use to basic functions like email. A strategically designed television commercial or even infomercial programming can easily reach those consumers, while also reaching others who make use of Internet TV solutions or occasionally take a break from the computer to watch a TV program in a more traditional manner.

In addition to delivering large audiences, TV ads can reach targeted consumers most likely to be watching at a given time.
In addition to delivering large audiences, TV ads can reach targeted consumers most likely to be watching at a given time.

Another of the several advantages of advertising on TV is the ability to buy air time for commercials at specific times of the day. This is important, since advertisers can choose the slots based on the ratings generated by the programming showed during those time slots. Along with the sheer numbers of viewers who are tuning in, advertisers can also analyze the demographics of that viewership, and choose time slots in which targeted consumers are most likely to be watching. This in turn increases the potential for generating sales from the advertising efforts.

Audience size, time slot selection and visual impact are among the advantages of advertising on television.
Audience size, time slot selection and visual impact are among the advantages of advertising on television.

The advantages of advertising on TV also include the potential for returns that no other medium really offers. While it is true that buying air time during highly rated programs is expensive, the volume of sales generated from reaching out to such a huge group of potential customers will often offset that investment. Even niche products can sometimes connect with customers who are considered non-traditional, such as those who work at night or some type of shift work. Buying time during off-peak periods is often less expensive, but has the potential to reach consumers who are less likely to catch the advertising during the day or during the evening prime-time slots.

Strategically designed TV infomercial programming can easily reach consumers.
Strategically designed TV infomercial programming can easily reach consumers.

Both local and national advertisers can identify several advantages of advertising on TV. By considering the volume of consumers who can be reached, choosing the right time slots, and coming up with a commercial that catches the eye and stays in the memory, the rewards in terms of sales can be significant. Best of all, agencies specializing in television advertising can often help companies find the right slots for their products and even aid in the production of the commercial itself, making sure the ads do connect with the audience in the best possible way.

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGEEK, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

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Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGEEK, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

mrwormy

I once complained to an actor friend of mine about a particularly annoying series of TV ads that were running at the time. They all featured a odd-looking animal singing a deliberately annoying song about a sandwich restaurant chain. He was in the commercial business himself, and he said some clients who don't have the money to create pleasing ads, like the insurance or wireless carrier companies, must create simpler ads that are just as memorable.

I might find that screeching little animal very annoying, but I also remember the name of the restaurant chain and what they offer. A TV ad reaches people on several different levels, both visually and aurally. Radio ads can't use a popular character or attractive actor to pitch their products, but TV ads can.

Phaedrus

One advantage I can think of is that most TV viewers don't have the option of skipping through commercials during live shows. They can, and almost always do, skip an ad on the Internet after a few seconds. I have always heard that an effective TV ad will mention the name of the product or a phone number at least three times. That's not always easy to do in thirty seconds, but at least there will be more viewers watching a TV ad, especially if it's clever and entertaining.

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    • In addition to delivering large audiences, TV ads can reach targeted consumers most likely to be watching at a given time.
      By: Innovated Captures
      In addition to delivering large audiences, TV ads can reach targeted consumers most likely to be watching at a given time.
    • Audience size, time slot selection and visual impact are among the advantages of advertising on television.
      By: MarcoGusella.it
      Audience size, time slot selection and visual impact are among the advantages of advertising on television.
    • Strategically designed TV infomercial programming can easily reach consumers.
      By: fred goldstein
      Strategically designed TV infomercial programming can easily reach consumers.