A TV production quote should tell you what will be made, who will make it, when you will receive it, and what you can do with the finished ad. Confirm whether the price includes media placement and reporting before comparing proposals.

Choose a production approach

You can hire a production company, use an internal video team, or create an ad with an AI platform. A filmed commercial may be appropriate when you need footage of specific people, products, or locations. Existing photos and website content can also provide material for an ad.

Write a short brief before contacting vendors. Include your audience, offer, required formats, deadline, and spending limit. Share the same brief with each vendor so you can compare their proposals.

What a production company does

Production usually includes three stages:

  • Pre-production: Develop the concept and script, choose locations, cast performers, schedule the shoot, and arrange permits where needed.
  • Production: Record footage and audio with the agreed crew and equipment.
  • Post-production: Edit footage, add graphics and music, mix audio, and export the required versions.

Ask who manages feedback and how many revision rounds are included. Confirm the required aspect ratios, ad lengths, captions, and delivery specifications before filming.

Production and distribution may be separate services. Ask who buys the placements, checks the ad against platform requirements, and reports campaign delivery. See the guide to producing TV commercials for more on those steps.

Compare costs and timelines

Request an itemized quote covering:

  • Concept development and scriptwriting.
  • Crew, equipment, locations, permits, and travel.
  • Performer and voiceover fees, including usage rights.
  • Editing, graphics, music, captions, and audio mixing.
  • Revision rounds and additional versions.
  • Media placement, if included.

Ask which expenses could change and what requires approval before the vendor spends more. A low initial quote may exclude work you need, such as a vertical cut or permission to use the ad for another year.

Agree on deadlines for the script, shoot, first edit, feedback, and final files. Identify one person on your team who can consolidate feedback. Changes after filming can require more work than changes made during script review.

See TV ad production costs for the main cost drivers.

Evaluate a production partner

Ask to see work for businesses with similar needs. Check whether you can understand the offer and read the contact details on a phone as well as a television.

Ask previous clients:

  • Did the final invoice match the proposal?
  • Were deadlines met?
  • How did the team handle revisions?
  • Were the delivered files ready for the planned placements?
  • Would you hire them again?

Before signing, confirm deliverables, payment dates, revision limits, usage rights, ownership of source files, and the process for scope changes. Keep these details in the agreement.

Compare an internal team with an AI platform

An internal team can update creative frequently and build a reusable footage library. Include staff time, software, equipment, and training when calculating its cost.

An AI platform can produce a draft from your business materials and let you request changes. Review the script, visuals, branding, and offer before approving it. Check the available export formats and editing controls against your campaign requirements.

Create and run ads with Adwave

Adwave uses your website to create ads for TV, search, and social. Review and edit your ads, choose your audience, and set your budget before launch. You can manage campaign delivery and reporting from the same account.

Preview ads for your business.

Prepare your brief

Decide which footage you need, which materials you already have, and where the ads will run. Compare each production option against those requirements, your deadline, and the total cost of creating and placing the ads.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a production company to advertise on TV?

You can use a production company, an internal team, or an ad creation platform. The finished files need to meet the requirements of the placements you buy.

Does a production quote include airtime?

Check the proposal. Some companies offer media buying; others deliver the ad files only. Ask for creative and placement costs separately.

What should I ask about revisions?

Confirm how many rounds are included, who collects feedback, how long changes take, and what costs extra. Ask whether you will be able to update prices, dates, and offers after the initial delivery.

How should I measure the campaign?

Choose metrics before launch, such as reach, website visits, bookings, or purchases. Ask which reports you will receive and how conversions are attributed. Compare performance with your budget and the business objective in your brief.