What Is Connected TV (CTV) Advertising & How to Run Your Company Ads on TV?

11 min read·Mar 06, 2025

People have started using Connected TV (CTV) instead of traditional TV

Platforms like Hulu, Roku, YouTube TV, and Fire TV have taken over, and that means advertising has changed too. 

If your business isn’t using CTV advertising, you’re already behind.

But here’s the catch: To get real results, you need a smart strategy—choosing the right platforms, targeting the right audience, and making sure your ad gets seen.

In this guide, you’ll find:

  • What is Connected TV (CTV)? – Why people are switching to streaming.
  • How CTV advertising works – Where to run ads and how to target the right viewers.
  • How to play your company ad on TV – Step-by-step setup and costs.
  • How Vibe.co makes TV advertising easier and more effective.
  • Best practices to maximize your results.

If you want to reach the right audience on TV without wasting money on outdated methods, this guide will show you exactly how to do it. Let’s begin!

What is Connected TV (CTV)?

People have stopped watching cable TV the way they used to. Instead, they use Connected TV (CTV) to stream their favorite shows and movies. 

If you’ve ever watched Netflix, YouTube, or Hulu on your TV, you’re already using CTV.

CTV works on devices that connect to the internet and allow streaming. Unlike cable TV, which follows a fixed schedule, CTV lets you watch anything, anytime.

  • Cable TV requires a subscription and only offers live programming.
  • CTV works over the internet, so you can choose what to watch on demand.
How Do People Watch CTV?

People stream content using different devices:

  • Smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Sony) that come with built-in streaming apps.
  • Streaming devices like Roku, Fire Stick, Apple TV, and Chromecast that turn any TV into a CTV.
  • Gaming consoles (Xbox, PlayStation) that allow streaming.
  • Mobile phones and tablets that cast videos to a TV screen.

More people are switching to CTV because it gives them control over what they watch. 

But it’s not just viewers who benefit—businesses also prefer CTV for advertising because it lets them reach the right audience instead of wasting money on random viewers.

Here’s a quick comparison:

FeatureCable TVConnected TV (CTV)
How it worksUses cable connectionStreams over the internet
ViewingFixed schedules, channelsOn-demand streaming
DevicesTV with a cable boxSmart TVs, streaming devices, gaming consoles
AdsSame ads for all viewersTargeted ads based on viewer interests

CTV is changing how TV works, and businesses need to adapt fast. Instead of running ads for a general audience, companies can target specific customers based on their interests and behavior. 

That’s why CTV advertising is growing fast and becoming a better option than traditional TV ads.

What is Connected TV Advertising?

Connected TV (CTV) advertising is how brands show ads on streaming platforms instead of traditional TV channels

When people watch content on Roku, Fire TV, Hulu, YouTube TV, and other streaming services, businesses can display ads just like they do on websites or social media.

Unlike traditional TV ads that reach everyone watching a channel, CTV ads are targeted. Businesses can choose who sees their ads based on age, interests, location, and viewing habits

This means companies spend money only on the right audience, rather than wasting it on people who may not be interested.

Benefits of CTV Advertising

More brands are switching to CTV ads because they offer better targeting, lower costs, and higher engagement than traditional TV ads.

  • Audience Targeting – Instead of showing ads to random viewers, businesses can reach specific people based on their interests and behavior.
  • Cost Efficiency – Traditional TV ads require large budgets, while CTV ads let businesses control spending and adjust campaigns in real-time.
  • Higher Engagement – Viewers can’t skip most CTV ads like they do on regular online videos, making them more effective.
  • Measurable Results – Unlike traditional TV, advertisers can track performance and see how many people watched the ad or took action.

How is CTV Advertising Different from Traditional TV Ads?

FactorTraditional TV AdsCTV Advertising
Who Sees the AdsEveryone watching the channelSpecific viewers based on data
Ad PlacementFixed slots during showsDynamic, based on user behavior
CostHigh, fixed pricingFlexible, based on budget
Performance TrackingLimited measurementDetailed analytics and insights

CTV advertising is changing how brands reach people on TV. 

Businesses of all sizes can now advertise on TV without needing a massive budget, making it an affordable and effective marketing option.

How Does CTV Advertising Work?

CTV advertising works by placing ads inside streaming services where people watch content. Unlike regular TV ads, which are shown to everyone watching a channel, CTV ads are targeted. This means businesses can choose who sees their ads based on interests, location, and viewing habits.

Here’s how does CTV advertising works:

  • Advertisers Choose Their Audience: 
  • Businesses decide who should see the ad
  • They can target based on age, location, interests, and even the types of shows people watch
  • Ads Are Placed on Streaming Platforms: 
  • The selected ads appear on CTV platforms like Hulu, Roku, YouTube TV, and Fire TV
  • These ads play before, during, or after a show or movie.
  • Ads Are Bought Automatically (Programmatic Advertising): 
  • Businesses don’t manually buy TV spots like before. Instead, ads are purchased in real time using automated systems
  • This ensures that ads reach the right people at the right time.
  • Tracking and Measuring Performance: 
  • Advertisers can see how many people watched the ad, how long they watched, and if they engaged with it
  • Unlike cable TV, where it’s hard to know if an ad worked, CTV gives clear data on performance.
  • Adjusting Ads for Better Results: 
  • If an ad isn’t performing well, advertisers can change the targeting, message, or budget immediately.

CTV advertising helps businesses reach the right viewers, track ad performance, and adjust their strategy in real time

That’s why more companies are shifting from traditional TV ads to data-driven, targeted CTV ads.

How to Play a Company Ad on TV?

TV advertising has changed. You no longer need a huge budget or an ad agency to run ads on television. 

Connected TV (CTV) advertising allows businesses to show targeted ads on streaming platforms like Hulu, Roku, and YouTube TV—just like online ads, but on TV screens.

Vibe.co homepage

One of the easiest ways to do this is by using Vibe.co, a self-serve CTV advertising platform that helps businesses create, launch, and track TV ads without needing technical expertise. 

Vibe Studio, its built-in AI-powered ad creation tool, makes it simple to design professional ads in minutes—and it’s 100% free to use.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to advertise your company on TV using Vibe.co.

Step 1: Define Your Advertising Goal

Before launching a TV ad, you need to decide what you want to achieve. Your goal will shape who sees your ad and how you measure success.

  • Brand Awareness – If you want more people to recognize your business.
  • Direct Response – If you want viewers to visit your website, sign up, or buy a product.
  • Retargeting – If you want to show ads to people who have already engaged with your brand.

For example, on Vibe.co, when setting up a campaign, you will be asked to choose your goal

Vibe.co targeting feature

Based on your selection, Vibe.co automatically optimizes your ad placements and audience targeting to deliver the best results.

Step 2: Choose Where to Show Your Ad

Traditional TV ads air on specific channels with fixed time slots. But with CTV advertising, businesses can choose exactly where their ads appear and reach people watching content on-demand.

Vibe.co channels

With Vibe.co, you can place ads on over 500 apps and channels, including:​

  • Sports Channels: Engage viewers interested in various sports.​
  • Movies & TV Shows: Target audiences watching popular films and series.​
  • Local News: Reach viewers tuned into regional news programs.​

The platform analyzes your target audience and budget to recommend the most effective streaming services for your ad, automating the process for optimal impact.

Step 3: Create Your TV Ad

Your ad needs to grab attention immediately and deliver a clear message. Follow these best practices:

  • Keep It Short – CTV ads perform best at 15-30 seconds.
  • Show Your Brand Early – Viewers should recognize your business in the first few seconds.
  • Use High-Quality Video & Sound – Poor production quality can hurt performance.
  • Include a Call-to-Action (CTA) – Tell viewers exactly what to do next (e.g., “Visit our website” or “Scan the QR code”).

If you don’t have a video ad ready, Vibe Studio makes it easy to create one and it’s 100% free

Vibe Studio 
  • AI-Powered Ad Creation: Generate high-quality, CTV-ready ads in under 10 seconds using your business information.​
  • Customization: Edit elements such as images, music, and voiceovers to align with your brand's identity.

Step 4: Set Up & Launch Your Campaign

Once your ad is prepared, Vibe.co streamlines the campaign launch process:​

Alt text: Vibe.co pricing

  • Budget Setting: Choose your daily or total campaign expenditure, with options starting as low as $50 per day.​
  • Audience Selection: Target specific locations, demographics, and behaviors to ensure your ad reaches the most relevant viewers.​
  • Ad Placement Optimization: Vibe.co's automated system bids on optimal ad slots, ensuring effective timing and placement.​

For instance, Vibe.co's AI handles the selection of time slots, automatically identifying the best placements for your ad, eliminating the need for manual scheduling.

Step 5: Track & Optimize Your Ad Performance

A significant advantage of CTV advertising is the ability to monitor your ad's performance in real time, providing insights that traditional TV ads cannot offer.​

Through Vibe.co's analytics dashboard, you can track:​

  • Impressions: The number of times your ad was viewed.​
  • Engagement: How long viewers watched your ad.​
  • Actions Taken: Whether viewers visited your website or completed a desired action.​

If your ad isn't performing as expected, Vibe.co allows immediate adjustments. 

You can modify targeting parameters, edit the creative content, or update your budget in real-time, ensuring your campaign achieves the best possible results.

With CTV advertising and platforms like Vibe.co, any business can now launch targeted TV ads in minutes.

By following these five simple steps—setting your goal, choosing a platform, creating your ad, launching it, and tracking results—you can run a successful TV ad campaign that reaches the right audience and delivers real business results.

Conclusion

And with that, we’ve come to the end of this guide on how to advertise your company on TV using Connected TV (CTV) advertising.

To recap, CTV advertising is the future of TV ads because it allows businesses to:

  • Target the right audience instead of wasting money on random TV slots.
  • Choose where their ads appear, from Hulu to Roku and YouTube TV.
  • Create high-quality ads quickly using AI-powered tools like Vibe Studio.
  • Launch and track campaigns easily with real-time analytics and automated bidding.

Today, any business can run TV ads without the high costs or complex processes of traditional television advertising.

If you’re ready to reach more customers through TV advertising, Vibe.co makes it simple. Get started today and launch your first CTV ad in minutes. 

FAQs about CTV Advertising:

1. What is Connected TV?

Connected TV (CTV) is a television that connects to the internet and allows streaming through apps like Netflix, Hulu, Roku, and YouTube TV.

Unlike cable, it lets viewers watch content anytime without a fixed schedule.

2. What is Connected TV Advertising?

Connected TV advertising is placing ads on streaming platforms instead of traditional TV channels.

Businesses can show targeted ads to specific audiences on services like Hulu, Roku, and YouTube TV while people watch their favorite content.

3. How does CTV advertising work?

CTV advertising works by showing ads to selected viewers while they stream content. Businesses upload their ads, choose their audience, set a budget, and run the campaign on platforms like Hulu or Roku. They can track performance and adjust in real time.

4. How to play a company ad on TV?

To run a company ad on TV, use a CTV advertising platform like Vibe.co.

Upload your ad, choose where you want it to appear, target the right audience, set a budget, and launch the campaign. The platform places the ad on streaming services automatically.

5. Why is CTV advertising good for businesses?

CTV advertising helps businesses reach the right audience, control costs, and track performance in real time.

Unlike traditional TV ads, it allows businesses of any size to run targeted ads affordably and efficiently.

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