Let’s Talk Numbers—Real Ones

If you've ever Googled “How much should I spend on CTV?” and ended up with a vague, one-size-fits-all number, you’re not alone.

But here’s the truth: CTV budgeting isn’t about a magic number. It’s about the right number for your goals, market, and growth stage.

Let’s lift the curtain on what CTV actually costs—and how to budget with confidence.

First: What Drives CTV Ad Pricing?

CPM (Cost Per Thousand Impressions): Typically ranges from $20–$40
Targeting Complexity: The more specific your audience, the more premium your CPM
Platform Choice: Hulu or Peacock? You’ll pay more than on Pluto TV or Roku

A $3,000 spend at $30 CPM delivers roughly 100,000 impressions—but targeting and creative matter just as much.

How Much Should You Budget Based on Your Brand Size?

Here’s a realistic tiered breakdown based on common business goals:

Local Businesses ($2,000–$4,000/month):

Focus on one metro or ZIP code cluster
Pair with geofencing and retargeting
Use 15-second spots to lower costs

Mid-Sized Brands ($5,000–$10,000/month):

Run multi-region or multi-location ads
A/B test multiple creatives
Optimize frequency and schedule

Enterprise/National Campaigns ($15,000+/month):

Deploy dynamic creative by region
Coordinate with mobile and display ads
Use multi-channel attribution

Want to plan this out? Brandify’s CTV targeting tool helps you model spend by location and audience.

Where Most Brands Overspend (And How to Avoid It)

Buying too much inventory upfront without testing
Ignoring local targeting—wasting impressions on non-converting areas
Running 30-second creatives when a 15-second punch works better

According to Statista’s CTV spend forecast, brands that test before scaling consistently see better ROAS.

FAQs: What Budgeting Questions Do Advertisers Ask Most?

Can I test CTV with just $2,000?
Yes. Start with local targeting and one to two creatives. See what hits.

Is CPM everything?
No. Completion rates, frequency, and creative quality often matter more.

Do I need a full-service agency to do this?
Not at all. Platforms like Brandify are designed to empower brands directly.

Why Brandify Helps You Budget with Clarity, Not Guesswork

Brandify makes it easy to:

Build campaigns based on actual goals
Target local audiences without overspend
Scale and adjust in real time

Build your next CTV campaign with smarter spending at Brandify.

Final Take: Smart Spending Beats Big Spending

If you walk away with one insight, let it be this: CTV success isn’t about throwing dollars at screens—it’s about knowing where your dollars work hardest.

Start your data-driven budget plan with Brandify today.

Get a free targeting plan within the hour for your business here: https://brandify.io/targeting-plan/

Press Release: https://www.prlog.org/13053451

Behind the Screens: What CTV Really Costs (and What You Should Spend)