Advertising Age recently released the results of its annual survey of the cost of prime time ads on the major networks. Because actual prices vary based on inventory levels and advertisers have different relationships with the network, the listed prices should be considered estimates.
At the top of the list, by a long shot is Sunday Night Football. The highest price television advertising is a 30 second ad on Sunday Night Football. The cost is $627,300. Thursday Night Football is a distant second place at $483,333.
The following information is from a September 25 post by Jeanine Poggi. It shows the leaders by network.
Sunday
ABC – 8:00 Resurrection $140,378.
CBS – 7:00 60 Minutes $98,280.
NBC – 8:00 Sunday Night Football $627,300.
Fox – 8:00 The Simpsons $189,933.
Monday
ABC – 10:00 Castle $141,560.
CBS – 9:00 Big Bang Theory $344,827.
NBC- 10:00 The Blacklist $282,975.
Fox – 9:00 Sleepy Hollow $202,500.
Tuesday
ABC – 9:00 Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. $157,254.
CBS – 8:00 NCIS $170,948.
NBC – 9:00 The Voice $253,840.
Fox – 9:00 New Girl $187,050.
Wednesday
ABC – 9:00 Modern Family $239,650.
CBS – 9:00 Criminal Minds $135,789.
NBC – 10:00 Chicago P.D. $122,000.
Fox – 9:00 Red Band Society $118,025.
Thursday
ABC – 9:00 Scandal $217,546.
CBS – 8:00 Thursday Night Football $483,333.
NBC – 9:00 Bad Judge $204,667.
Fox – 9:00 Gracepoint $170,275.
Friday
ABC 9:00 Shark Tank $109,878.
CBS 10:00 Blue Bloods $79,370.
NBC 9:00 Grimm $118,818.
Fox 8:00 Masterchef Junior $100,400.
Saturday
ABC 8:00 Saturday Night Football N/A.
CBS – 10:00 48 Hours $33,500.
NBC – Encores N/A.
Fox – Fox Sports Saturday N/A.
Despite the challenges the sport has faced off the field, the highest priced television advertising is for football. The sport remains at the top of the pile when it comes to capturing the top dollar.