In Their Prime: Broadcast Spot Costs Soar

Gap between network and cable CPMs remains vast

Marketers looking to buy time on broadcast television have had to dig a little deeper, as the average cost of a prime-time spot is just shy of $110,000 a pop.

According to analysis by New York independent media agency TargetCast tcm, the average price of a 30-second spot in the first quarter of 2011 was $108,956, up 5 percent from the year-ago period. The percentage increase translates to an average hike of $5,000 per ad.

Thanks to its dominance among the 18-49 demo, Fox continues to lead the way in pricing, with an average Q1 unit cost of $188,974.

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