The Executive Summary of the 4A’s 2008 Television Production Cost Survey (TVPCS) represents the results of the 22nd year of a continuing project. Nineteen 4A’s member agencies and branch offices participated in the 2008 survey by submitting data on 689 national 30-second commercials. This continual gathering of information enables the industry to make year-to-year comparisons in many categories and combinations.

The survey reveals that in 2008, the average national 30-second spot cost $342,000, 5 percent less than in 2007.

View Executive Summary

Please note: Although there are both fewer total commercials as well as fewer national 30-second commercials reported in the 2008 survey than were reported in 2007, that statistic should not necessarily be interpreted to mean there is an overall decrease in commercial production industry-wide. It only reflects a decrease in the number of entries input by participants which may be ascribed to reasons other than a reduction in overall television commercial production.

The full Survey Report also includes a Cost Comparison Survey chart for the years 2000 through 2008.

The 4A’s extends its gratitude to the agencies that gathered and submitted their commercial production data for this survey, and to the 4A’s Broadcast Production Committee and the Association of National Advertisers for their support. Participating agencies will receive a complimentary copy of the complete report.

If you need further information regarding the survey, please contact Louise O’Gara, 4A’s survey administrator, Louise@aaaa.org.

To Order Copies of the Report

Copies of the complete report in PDF format cost $40 each for members, and $130 per copy for non-members, and are available in the 4A’s Bookstore.