Television advertising remains a powerful medium for connecting with a large audience. With digital media evolving, some may question its relevance, but TV advertising continues to provide unique advantages that other formats struggle to match. Here are ten key advantages that make TV advertising a compelling choice for marketers today.

1. Builds Trust

TV has been around in the UK since 1936. As one of the longest-standing members of the media, people still trust TV more than most media platforms. In fact, according to ThinkBox TV, 42% of people are more likely to trust TV advertising than the 5% who trust social media.

2. Large Reach

You really can’t beat TV’s reach. Besides people spending an average of 5 hours and 16 minutes daily watching TV in the UK, newer services like broadcasting video-on-demand (BVOD) and subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) have become popular, reaching 19.57 million homes in the UK. Not only is the reach massive, but it’s targeted too.

3. Targeted Reach

Whether regional or based on an audience demographic, TV adverts can be directed to the right people at the right time for the right price. Then there’s Sky Adsmart, where you can target audiences by age, gender, location, and lifestyle. Its revolutionary approach means that the sky is the limit when it comes to TV advertising, with advanced capabilities like showing different ads to different people who are watching the same show.

4. Emotional Connection

TV ads excel at storytelling, combining visuals, audio, and human emotion to create a deeper connection with the audience. Emotional connections drive brand loyalty, and TV provides a unique platform for sharing compelling stories.

5. Multi-platform Integration

Both TV, digital, and out-of-home work well together. TV can support any campaign or promotion across various channels. For example, when people watch TV, they’re most likely going to pick up their phone in between commercial breaks. Multiple interactions create a memorable experience with your brand, ultimately driving brand awareness, customer loyalty, and ROI through trackable results.

6. Trackable Results

TV has never been more trackable. When advertising on TV, you’ll get constant updates on performance. And with the right media buyer, performance is measured and optimized accordingly to drive better results.

7. Brand Credibility

TV ads lend credibility to brands. The mere presence on television often implies trustworthiness and success, building credibility and a positive perception among viewers.

8. High Engagement

Television captures viewer attention in a way that digital often struggles with. People tend to engage more with content when watching TV because it is a passive yet focused activity, making ads more memorable.

9. Wide Demographic Appeal

TV reaches all age groups, from children to the elderly. With a variety of channels and programs targeting different interests, TV is effective for both niche products and mainstream offerings.

10. Event-Based Advertising

TV is perfect for event-based advertising, such as during live sports, major news, or holiday events. These moments create opportunities for brands to reach consumers when they are most engaged, maximizing impact.

Finally, as a bonus to this article, here are the TV channels and streaming services where brands can advertise, categorized by format:

Broadcast Video-On-Demand (BVOD)

• ITV Hub: On-demand content from ITV, reaching millions of viewers.

• All 4: Channel 4's on-demand service with a diverse audience.

• My5: Channel 5's BVOD platform, ideal for reaching mainstream audiences.

Subscription Video-On-Demand (SVOD)

• Sky Go: Available to Sky subscribers, allowing targeted advertising opportunities.

• NOW: Sky’s streaming platform offers content from Sky, HBO, and more.

• Amazon Prime Video: Provides targeted advertising options through subscription services.

• Netflix: Netflix offers advertising opportunities through its new ad-supported subscription plan, providing a great platform to reach diverse viewers.

Linear TV Channels

• ITV: A major commercial channel offering a wide demographic reach.

• Channel 4: Known for diverse content and a young audience base.

• Channel 5: Reaches mainstream audiences with varied programming.

• Sky One, Sky Atlantic: Subscription channels that allow for targeted ads to specific demographics.

Television remains an indispensable tool for advertisers due to its ability to reach a broad audience and create memorable, emotional experiences. For brands looking to maximize their visibility, TV advertising continues to be one of the most effective channels available. With great media buying comes great results. All you need to do is get in touch with the best in the business. Contact us.