TV Commercial Production cost in India typically ranges from ₹5 lakh to ₹5 crore or more, depending on the creative concept, cast, shoot scale, production quality, and broadcast requirements. While some brands produce simple TV ads on controlled budgets, high-end commercials with cinematic storytelling, celebrity talent, and extensive post-production can significantly increase costs.
This guide explains the exact cost breakdown of TV commercial production in India, including production stages, key cost factors, airtime considerations, and ways brands can plan effective TV advertising budgets.
When businesses ask about TV Commercial Production cost in India, you’ll find that there’s no one-size-fits-all number. Broadly speaking, costs are influenced by the production itself and the airtime rates on television channels.
For a broader understanding of video pricing, you can also explore our detailed guide on How Much Does a 1-Minute Video Cost in India
Here’s a typical range you might expect:
These figures include creative development, production crew, shooting days, and basic post-production — but airtime costs on TV channels are separate and can add significantly to the total campaign budget. (1)
One of the most common follow-up questions brands ask is how TV commercial production cost varies by ad duration. In India, the length of a TV ad directly impacts scripting effort, shooting time, crew size, and post-production complexity.
Here is a realistic cost range for TV commercial production in India based on duration:
| TV Ad Duration | Estimated Production Cost (India) |
|---|---|
| 10-second TV ad | ₹1.5 lakh – ₹3 lakh |
| 20-second TV ad | ₹3 lakh – ₹6 lakh |
| 30-second TV commercial | ₹6 lakh – ₹12 lakh |
| 60-second TV commercial | ₹12 lakh – ₹25 lakh+ |
Shorter ads (10–20 seconds) are usually product-focused or promotional in nature, while 30-second and 60-second TV commercials allow deeper storytelling, brand messaging, and cinematic treatment.
For most national and regional campaigns, 30-second TV commercials remain the industry standard due to their balance of cost, recall, and storytelling impact.
A simple product demo will cost less than a cinematic narrative with multiple scenes and special effects. Creative fees often start at ₹50,000 and can quickly climb with high creative demands.
Shorter ads (10–15 seconds) are cheaper to shoot but costly to air; longer formats (30–60 seconds) require more production time and more post-production work.
Indoor studio shoots can be affordable, but on-location shooting in multiple spots or expensive locales increases costs through logistics and permits.
Hiring professional actors or influencers — especially known faces — can significantly increase talent fees.
Quality cameras, lighting, grip equipment, and a full production crew add to the bill. For strong visuals and professional quality, expect a larger crew and higher equipment costs.
Editing, sound design, color grading, graphics, and effects vary depending on complexity. Premium post-production can easily be a big portion of total spend.
Production costs are only part of the total investment. Purchasing airtime on TV channels is another major component.
According to industry estimates:
Prime time (typically 7 PM–11 PM) on popular channels commands the highest rates, while non-prime slots are significantly cheaper. Costs can be even higher during major sporting events or special programming (e.g., cricket matches). (3)
If a channel charges ₹1.5 lakh per 10-second spot in prime time, a 30-second spot placed three times can cost:
₹1,50,000 × 3 (spots) = ₹4,50,000
This doesn’t include frequency buys, regional bundling, or agency fees.
Many brands confuse TV commercial production cost with TV advertising or media buying cost, but the two are completely different budget components.
In India, while TV commercial production may cost anywhere from ₹2 lakh to ₹25 lakh or more, the media buying cost for broadcasting the same ad can range from ₹50,000 to several crores, depending on the channel, time slot, and campaign duration.
Understanding this difference helps brands plan budgets realistically and avoid underestimating the total investment required for a successful TV advertising campaign.
A reasonable TVC budget often follows this split:
Component | Approx % of Budget |
Pre-Production | 10–15% |
Production | 40–50% |
Post-Production | 30–40% |
Media Buy (Airtime) | Varies widely |
Production houses and agencies typically separate production and airtime costs, but understanding this breakdown helps you plan realistically and negotiate smarter.
Many brands today consider whether to invest in traditional TV commercials or focus on digital video ads. Here’s how they compare:
Usually, TV ads are ideal for brands looking for broad awareness, while digital ads offer better ROI for niche targeting. See our guide on TV Commercial Production Services for how professional teams manage both formats. (internal link)
Here are few practical tips:
These tactics help brands get better value without compromising creative quality.
Despite rising digital budgets, television remains one of the largest advertising platforms in India, with broad household penetration. TV commercials deliver:
However, budget planning must reflect whether your audience still watches TV and whether your campaign goals justify the spend.
Q1: What is the minimum TV commercial production cost in India?
A quality TV commercial production typically starts around ₹5 lakh, including basic production fees, but airtime costs are additional.
Q2: How much does a 30-second TV ad airtime cost?
Prime time 30-second ad slots on big national channels can cost upwards of ₹4–5 lakh per placement, while regional or non-prime slots are cheaper. (1)
Q3: Does celebrity casting significantly increase TVC cost?
Yes, hiring known talent can increase both production and talent fees dramatically.
Q4: Can TV commercials be repurposed for digital platforms?
Absolutely — cutting versions for social and OTT platforms reduces overall campaign cost while maintaining creative consistency.
