Below are the questions we're asked most often by Scottish businesses considering TV for the first time. For more detail on any topic, follow the links to our full guides.
Costs & budget
What's the minimum I need to spend to advertise on TV in Scotland?
A focused Sky AdSmart campaign can start from around £3,000 in media spend, plus production. A first STV campaign with production and a short airtime burst more commonly sits around £12,000--£15,000 all in. See our full TV ad costs guide for the detail.
How much does it cost to make a TV advert?
Production ranges from roughly £2,500--£5,000 for a straightforward spot to £10,000--£25,000+ for a fully produced commercial, depending on the approach. Because we're 100% in-house, entry-level and mid-range productions stay more affordable than the traditional agency-plus-production-house model.
How much is STV airtime?
A 30-second linear slot on STV ranges from around £200 off-peak to £2,000+ in peak programming. Your total airtime cost depends on how many slots you run and over how many weeks. STV airtime is always bought across the whole of Scotland as standard.
Is there any funding help available?
STV runs a Growth Fund that can contribute towards the cost of a first campaign for eligible advertisers. Ask us whether your business qualifies -- it can meaningfully reduce the entry cost. See our STV Growth Fund guide for what to know before you sign up.
Timing & process
How long does it take to get a TV ad on air?
Typically 3--4 weeks from brief to broadcast, allowing time for production, Clearcast clearance and broadcaster delivery. If you're planning around a key date or sales period, give yourself more runway -- campaigns planned ahead always outperform rushed ones.
What is Clearcast and do I need it?
Clearcast is the UK body that approves TV ads against the broadcast advertising code. Every UK TV ad needs clearance before it airs. We handle it for you -- script first, then the finished ad. Standard clearance is free on the channels it covers, and the ad is usually cleared within 2--3 working days once the approved script is followed. See our Clearcast guide for the full process.
What happens at each stage of production?
Concept and script → Clearcast script approval → shoot or animation → voiceover, music and edit → final Clearcast clearance → delivery to broadcaster → on air. One team handles the whole chain, which keeps things moving and avoids handoff delays.
Creative & content
Can I use my own footage or photos?
Yes. If you have usable footage, product shots or brand assets, we can build an ad around them, which can reduce production cost significantly. Anything used still has to meet broadcast and Clearcast standards -- we'll tell you what works and what doesn't.
Do you write the script and provide the voiceover?
Yes -- concept, script, voiceover, music and edit are all done in-house. You're not briefing a separate production company or sourcing your own talent.
Can you make an animated ad instead of a live shoot?
Yes. Animation is often a cost-effective, fast option -- especially for explaining a service, product demonstration or public-information style messaging. Some of our most effective campaigns for Scottish brands have been animated.
Targeting & reach
Can I target just my local area?
Yes -- Sky AdSmart lets you target by postcode, location and household type across Scotland, so you only reach the households most relevant to your business. Traditional STV linear is bought across the whole of Scotland as standard. We'll advise which approach fits your audience and budget.
Which industries does TV advertising work best for?
TV suits any business that needs to build trust and broad awareness with a Scottish audience. Among the sectors we see perform consistently well: home services, legal and financial services, automotive, retail, recruitment, hospitality, and public-sector and not-for-profit messaging. If your customers live in Scotland, TV can reach them.
Working with Elementary Spark
Do you handle both the ad and the airtime?
Yes. We're 100% in-house -- creative, production and independent media buying -- so it's one team and one invoice. You're not managing two separate suppliers or reconciling two different budgets.
Do I have to advertise only on STV?
No. We plan across STV, Sky AdSmart, Channel 4, radio, outdoor and social, and recommend the mix that genuinely fits your goal and budget. We're independent -- we don't have a channel to push.
How do I get started?
Email hello@elementaryspark.com with a sentence on what you sell and who you want to reach. We'll come back with options and rough costs -- no pitch, no pressure, just a straight conversation.
Elementary Spark Ltd, 48 West George St, Glasgow -- Scotland's independent creative campaign agency and STV partner. TV, radio, social, outdoor and integrated campaigns, all in-house. We work for brands, not broadcasters. www.elementaryspark.com