How Much Will a TV Ad Commercial Cost in 2026? Here’s What You Need to Know
If you’re planning a TV ad commercial for 2026, one of the first questions you’ll have is the big one: “So… how much is this TV advert actually going to cost?”
And the honest answer is: it depends. TV ad commercials come in all shapes, styles and ambitions. Some require big crews and multiple shoot days; others can be crafted with clever animation. But with the right understanding of what drives cost, you can shape a budget that works for you and delivers impact.
Let’s break it down.
Live Action, Animation or 3D Video? Your Format Sets the Foundation
1. Live Action TV Adverts
Live action is what most people picture when they think of a TV ad, real people, real locations, real filmmaking.
Typical 2026 Budget: £15,000 – £150,000+
Costs vary depending on:
Where you’re filming (studio, office, outdoors, overseas)
How many shoot days are required for your desired outcome
Cast and crew size
Equipment level (cinema cameras, lighting rigs, drones)
Live action is unbeatable for authenticity and emotional punch, but it’s also the most logistically involved.
2. Animation
From simple 2D motion graphics to full 3D worlds, animation gives you unlimited creative freedom, but the more detailed it is, the more hours it takes.
Typical 2026 Budget: £15,000 – £100,000+
Your price depends on:
Animation style (flat 2D vs detailed 3D)
Length of the advert
Character and environment complexity
Voiceovers, music, and sound design
It’s a strong choice when your product is tricky to film or you want a clean, polished, brand-led aesthetic.
3. AI-Generated or Hybrid TV Adverts
AI has quickly become the wildcard option. It won’t replace filmmakers, but it can when done right, speed up creative development, cut down on assets and reduce the size of your crew.
Typical 2026 Budget: £15,000 – £25,000
But you’ll still need human direction, editing, sound, brand QA and broadcast-safe finishing to bring everything up to TV standards.
AI is great for quick-turnaround concepts or short-form spots, but it shines brightest when used alongside traditional production.
The 5 Biggest Factors That Influence TV Advert Costs
Regardless of format, these are the things that move your budget up or down.
1. Your Goals & Where the Ad Will Be Shown
A TV ad commercial needs to hit broadcast-quality standard, higher than social content. That means more polish, more preparation, and versions created for different channels.
Bigger audience = bigger expectations.
2. Production Complexity
This includes anything that makes shooting more involved:
Specialist locations
Props
Special effects
Multiple actors or scenes
Simple ads can still be brilliant, complexity is just one option, not a requirement.
3. Crew Size & Expertise
A TV-quality ad typically involves:
Director
Producer
Camera team
Lighting crew
Makeup and wardrobe
Sound
Art direction
You’re paying for experience that ensures your advert looks and sounds professional at every stage.
4. Script, Storyboard & Creative Development
This is where the idea takes shape:
Concept development
Scriptwriting
Storyboarding
Shot lists
Animation pre-vis
AI explorations
Stronger ideas need a stronger foundation, which shows in the final result.
5. Post-Production
The polish happens here:
Editing
Motion graphics
Colour grading
Voiceovers
Sound design
Music licensing
Deliverables for broadcast
TV requires a level of finish that audiences instantly recognise (even if they don’t know why).
So… What Should You Expect to Spend in 2026?
At WOWVI Video, we work on projects ranging from £15,000 right through to £50,000+ full-scale productions, with large national campaigns reaching into six figures.
But the key thing is this:
Your advert should be built around your goals, not around someone else’s template.
There’s always a smart way to approach your budget, no matter its size.