TV Advertising in India: Is It Still Worth It in 2025? (Spoiler: Yes!)

In a world filled with reels, swipes, and stories, one might assume that traditional television advertising had become a sunset industry. Well, the funny thing is that the TV ad does work, and it works very well, especially in a huge, diversified, and emotionally driven market we call India. 

For any legacy brand looking for mass appeal or a homegrown business looking to make a splash, there is nothing quite like television: reach, trust, and emotional nuance. And at Excellent Publicity, we help brands of every size unlock the full potential of TV advertising.

Let’s explore why TV ads aren’t going anywhere, how to make them work for your business, and what the future holds for one of the most powerful advertising mediums out there.

Why Television Advertising Still Matters

TV Still Reaches the Masses

Despite the rise of digital, over 900 million Indians still watch television every week. Families gather to watch news, soaps, and cricket matches. Unlike digital, where users might scroll away or mute an ad, TV ads often get the full attention of the entire household.

Emotional Impact That Sticks

Remember those iconic ads that made you laugh, cry, or hum a jingle for days? That’s the power of television. It’s immersive. It builds emotion. It becomes a shared experience.

And in a country like India, where emotions drive purchase decisions, TV advertising delivers memorability and trust.

TV vs. Digital Ads: The Great Debate

Let’s face it, every marketer wonders where to invest: TV or digital? The answer isn’t either or. It’s about understanding the strengths of each.

Feature	TV Ads	Digital Ads
Reach	Mass (national and regional audiences)	Targeted (age, interest, location)
Attention Span	Higher (full-screen, sound-on)	Lower (scrolling, skipping common)
Emotional Connection	Strong (visual + audio + storyline)	Variable (often shorter formats)
ROI Measurement	Moderate, improving with tech	Highly measurable
Brand Perception	Credible, premium	Depends on platform

Best Strategy? Combine both! Let TV build awareness and digital drive conversions.

Types of TV Ads You Can Run

Whether you are showcasing a new product or driving festive sales, there’s a TV ad format for every brand goal:

1. 30 Second Commercials

The classic. Perfect for building awareness and telling a story.

2. 10 to 15 Second Spot Ads

Ideal for reminders, offers, or budget-conscious brands.

3. Infomercials (60 seconds to 5 minutes)

Still relevant for edtech, health, and home appliances, especially late-night or regional slots.

4. Interactive Smart TV Ads

Emerging formats allow users to click, scan QR codes, or even speak to your ad using voice-enabled TVs.

What Does TV Advertising Cost in India?

You don’t need a million dollar budget to get on TV. We help local brands run ads starting at just INR 10,000 per week on regional channels.

Here’s a simplified view:

Ad Type	Estimated Cost
10-second local TV spot	INR 5,000 to INR 15,000 per day
30-second national TV ad	INR 1–5 lakhs (prime time)
Regional channel slots	INT 20,000 to ₹1 lakh/month
Infomercials	INR 50,000 to INR 2 lakhs per month

Pro Tip: Local TV channels or city specific news networks offer big visibility on a small budget, perfect for local stores, clinics, coaching centers, and community driven campaigns.

How to Make a TV Ad That Works

Creating a TV commercial isn’t just about pretty visuals. It’s about making people feel something and remember you. Here’s how:

Start with a Strong Hook

Grab attention in the first 3 seconds. Humor, emotion, or curiosity works best.

Keep It Simple

Don’t overload viewers. Stick to one key message, one clear benefit, and a strong call to action.

Use Relatable Characters or Stories

Show situations that your target audience can relate to, be it a student, a working mom, or a retired couple.

Add a Call to Action

Tell people exactly what to do: Call now, Visit our store, Download the app. Make it easy and visible.

TV Advertising for Local Businesses: Yes, You Can!

Think TV ads are only for big brands like Samsung or Tata? Think again.

Local businesses, bakeries, clinics, coaching centers, real estate firms, and regional brands are using TV ads to build community presence and trust.

Real Example:

A local sweets shop in Pune ran a 15 second ad on a regional Marathi channel during Diwali week. Sales jumped 40% in just 7 days.

This kind of reach is hard to replicate with only digital, especially for non-tech-savvy audiences.

Want to make your business the talk of the town? Local TV is the stage.

TV + Digital = The Dream Team

TV advertising doesn’t work in a silo. When combined with digital, it becomes even more powerful.

How to Sync TV with Digital:

• Run YouTube or Instagram versions of your TV ad
• Use the same jingle or visual in Facebook or Google Ads
• Add QR codes or landing pages to TV ads for measurable traffic
• Launch ‘Watch our TV ad and win’ contests on social media

This combo creates brand consistency and maximizes recall across platforms.

Measuring TV Ad Performance

You can’t improve what you don’t measure. Here’s how to track your TV ad ROI:

Tools & Techniques:

• BARC ratings (to track reach)
• Google Trends (search spikes after airing)
• Vanity URLs (custom links shown in the ad)
• Coupon codes or WhatsApp CTAs
• Sales uplift analysis (before vs. after campaign)

At Excellent Publicity, we provide full post-campaign reporting, including air time, impressions, regional performance, and next steps for optimization.

The Future of TV Advertising in India

TV is getting smarter. Here's what’s on the horizon:

Addressable TV

Target ads by household, income, and geography, just like Google Ads, but on TV.

AI-Powered Ad Recommendations

AI tools help brands choose the best time, channel, and region for better results.

Sustainable Productions

Brands are focusing on eco-friendly ad shoots and minimal sets, a plus for today’s conscious consumers.

Why Supporting Local Matters

We believe in the power of local businesses. A well-placed TV ad doesn’t just promote a brand, it creates jobs, visibility, and pride in communities.

When local brands succeed, neighborhoods grow stronger. Your ad on a local channel could inspire another entrepreneur. That’s the ripple effect of advertising done right.