Math in the Media: 30 Second Ad Costs
Math In The Media
© Frank Baker, Media Educator
NEW: Prime Time Ad Prices for 2023
2022-2023 (October 27, 2022 Source: Adage.com)
2021-2022 Chart
2020-2021 Prime Time Ad Prices (Adage.com)
2018-2019 Ad Age Pricing Chart
| 2017-2018 |  |
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| 2014 (read the story that accompanies this graphic) | 2013 (read the story that accompanies this graphic) |
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Combined 2000-2013 30 Second Ad Costs in Prime Time Networks
(the above file combines all of the data from the charts below)
‘Sunday Night Football’ Beats ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ (2008-2009) AdAge
2007-2008 Top Ten Prime Time Ad Costs/ Ad Week Chart of all shows
2006 Super Bowl: $2.5M for 30 second ad
2005-2006 Ad Rates
2004-2005 Prime Time 30 Second Ad Rates
(as reported by Adage.com Sept. 27, 2004)
| Program | Network | 30 Sec. Ad Cost |
| American Idol (Wed) | FOX | $658,333 |
| American Idol (Tues) | FOX | $620,000 |
| ER | NBC | $479,250 |
| Survivor | CBS | $412,833 |
| Apprentice | NBC | $409,877 |
| Joey | NBC | $392,500 |
| CSI | CBS | $374,231 |
| Will & Grace | NBC | $359,546 |
| Simpsons | FOX | $336,935 |
| Contender | NBC | $330,000 |
| Monday Night Football | ABC | $323,000 |
Full list of 2004 ad rates
$2.25M for 30 Second Super Bowl Ad
Price of TV ads During New Season of Programs
The cost of a single 30 second commercial skyrockets when the ad is placed within the annual Super Bowl football game. Can student’s brainstorm why the same 30 second ad costs more than $2.1 million dollars in the January 2003 game?