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

In a world abuzz with reels, swipes, and stories, you may wonder if traditional television commercials are over the hill. But here's the surprising reality, TV commercials work, and they work very well, particularly in a multicolored and emotionally-based market such as India.

Whether you're a mature brand seeking broad appeal or a small business looking to create a splash, television provides reach, believability, and emotional influence unlike any other platform. And at Excellent Publicity, we enable brands of all sizes to tap the full value of TV advertising.

Let's take a look at why TV commercials aren't going anywhere, how to get them to work for you, and where the future of one of the most effective advertising methods out there is headed.

Why Television Advertising Still Matters

TV Still Reaches the Masses

Even with the advent of digital, more than 900 million Indians continue to watch television weekly. News, soaps, and cricket matches are watched by families together. In contrast to digital, where one can scroll away or silence an ad, TV commercials have a tendency to demand the undivided attention of the entire household.

Emotional Impact That Sticks

Remember all those wonderful ads that left you laughing, crying, or humming a jingle aloud for days on end. That is the magic of TV. It immerses you. It creates emotion. It's a communal 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

1. 30-Second Commercials – The classic. Perfect for building awareness and telling a story.
2. 10–15 Second Spot Ads – Ideal for reminders, offers, or budget-conscious brands.
3. Infomercials (60 seconds – 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. In fact, we help local brands run ads starting at just ₹10,000 per week on regional channels.

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

How to Make a TV Ad That Actually Works

• Start with a Strong Hook – Grab attention in the first 3 seconds. Humor, emotion, or curiosity works best.
• Keep It Simple – Do not confuse viewers. Stick to one message, one benefit, and one clear call to action.
• Use Relatable Characters or Stories – Show situations your target audience can relate to, whether it's a student, working mom, or a retired couple.
• Add a Call-to-Action – Tell them exactly what to do: call now, visit our store, or download the app. Keep it easy and visible.

TV Advertising for Local Businesses: Yes, You Can!

Imagine TV commercials are meant for large brands such as Samsung or Tata? Think again. TV commercials are being utilised by local enterprises, bakeries, clinics, coaching institutes, real estate agents, and regional brands to establish local presence and credibility.

Real Example:
A local sweets business in Pune put up a 15-second commercial on a local Marathi channel during Diwali week. Sales increased by 40% within 7 days.

This type of reach is difficult to match with just digital, particularly among non-tech-savvy audiences. Need to get your business talked about? Local TV is the platform.

TV + Digital = The Dream Team

TV advertising doesn't work in isolation. With digital added, it's even more effective.

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:

• 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

• Addressable TV – Target Ads by Household, Income, and Geography, Just Like Google Ads, but on Television.
• AI-Powered Ad Recommendations – With the help of AI, brands can pick the best time, channel, and region for the best 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.

Ready to Take Your Brand to Prime Time?

Whether you are a neighborhood store, a regional chain, or a growing online brand, TV advertising can unlock powerful visibility, credibility, and emotional connection. At Excellent Publicity, we make it easy, from concept to airtime, and everything in between.

• Affordable pricing
• All-India and regional TV planning
• Professional creatives
• Full campaign execution
• Transparent reporting

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Excellent Publicity

Let’s Wrap It Up With a Few Questions:

• Could your brand benefit from emotional storytelling on TV?
• Are your current ads reaching the heart of your local community?
• What would it mean for your business if thousands saw your ad every day on television?

The airwaves are wide open. Are you ready to own your spot?