As a marketer, you know making the right decision about where to advertise your product or service is crucial for success. With the rise of streaming TV services like Netflix and Hulu, you may be wondering if traditional cable TV advertising is still worth the investment.
In this post, we’ll take a closer look at cable TV advertising and streaming TV advertising and help you decide which is the better option for your brand.
What is the Difference Between Cable TV Advertising and Streaming TV Advertising?
First up — what is connected TV advertising (or streaming TV advertising), and how is it different from cable TV advertising?
One of the major differences between cable TV advertising and streaming TV advertising is the way they deliver content to viewers. Cable TV works as a network connection that is distributed through a coaxial cable.
On the other hand, streaming TV works over the internet. In simpler terms, cable TV is a physical connection, while streaming TV is a digital one. This distinction is important because cable TV has a set number of channels with specific time slots for shows and commercials, while streaming TV has unlimited access to shows, often with no predetermined schedules.
Another aspect to consider is the demographics that each advertising method caters to. Cable TV advertising is more suited for targeting a specific audience based on region or local interests.
Cable TV is geographically limited in that it can only be accessed in specific regions or markets. Therefore, cable TV advertising can be used to target consumers within those areas.
Streaming TV, on the other hand, is not geographically limited, attracting a much broader and diverse audience. With the right tools, streaming TV targeting can be precise, similar to that of social media ads.
The Benefits of Cable TV Advertising
One of the main benefits of advertising on cable TV is that it allows you to reach a broad audience. Cable TV has one of the largest audiences of any media platform and is watched by people from all demographics, making it easier to reach a large, diverse audience with your brand’s message.
Cable TV advertising can also have a lasting impression on viewers. With the use of catchy jingles or memorable ads, you can make your brand stick in viewers’ minds. It can be targeted to specific regions or networks, which can be beneficial if your brand wants to promote locally or nationwide.
The Benefits of Streaming TV Advertising
Streaming TV advertising services can provide specific audience demographics and viewing data, which allows for effective targeting. Additionally, ads on streaming services can be interactive, engaging, and personalized, providing an opportunity to create a more immersive and meaningful connection with the audience.
It’s also much more cost-effective than cable TV advertising, and the results can be measured and analyzed in real-time.
Disadvantages of Cable TV Advertising
One of the main disadvantages of advertising on cable TV is that it can be prohibitively expensive. There are high production costs, and ads can be costly to run during prime time.
Let’s also keep in mind that the size of the audience can be both a benefit and a disadvantage.
While cable TV reaches a broad audience, not everyone who watches cable TV will be interested in your brand. It’s like throwing things at a wall to see what sticks. You might get some people interested in what you have to offer, but there will be many instances in which your messaging falls flat.
Finally, cable TV ads can be easy to forget. They often don’t have the same level of engagement and interactivity that streaming TV ads offer.
Disadvantages of Streaming TV Advertising
While streaming TV advertising has some clear benefits, there are also some potential drawbacks. While streaming platforms have a massive audience, not everyone can access them, and some audiences may be harder to reach than others. However, free ad-supported television (FAST) channels and applications have continued expanding the reach of streaming services.
Best Tips for Successful TV Advertising
No matter which form of TV advertising you choose, make sure your ad is visually appealing and has a clear message. Keep it short and engaging, so people will want to watch it all the way through. Of course, it’s also important to make sure your call to action is clear and easy to follow.
At the end of the day, both cable TV advertising and streaming TV advertising have their pros and cons. It comes down to your budget, target audience, and specific products or services. Consider these factors as you make your choice.
Conclusion
The choice between cable TV advertising and streaming TV advertising is not easy. However, choosing the platform best suited for your brand is important.
By considering your target audience, you can make sure the right people see your ad and is effective in promoting your product or service.
Take some time to consider both options and choose the platform that will help your brand reach its full potential, whatever that might be.
