How much does PSA distribution cost?

There is no single price for PSA distribution. The cost depends on channels, geography, the number and lengths of spots, asset preparation, outreach, monitoring, reporting, and campaign duration. Donated TV or radio airtime may carry no charge from the station, but professional planning, technical preparation, distribution, promotion, measurement, and reporting require a service budget. Paid or guaranteed inventory adds a separate media cost. PSN prepares a scope and proposal around each campaign’s goals.

What is included in a distribution service fee?

A proposal may cover strategy, station-list development, technical quality checks, file conversion, captioning, identifiers or encoding, digital delivery, media advisory development, station outreach/marketing, tracking subscriptions or data, dashboard access, analysis, and final reporting. The scope should say how many creative versions, languages, markets, outreach hours, updates, and reporting periods are included. Extra versions, revisions, translations, extended monitoring, or a new flight can change the fee.

Is donated airtime free?

When a station donates airtime, the organization typically does not buy that individual slot at a commercial rate. That does not make the entire campaign free. The organization still needs approved creative and may pay for production and distribution services. Donated time is subject to editorial discretion and available inventory, so neither the volume nor the schedule of future airings should be presented as guaranteed.

When is there a paid media budget?

A paid plan buys agreed inventory and can specify markets, dates, placements, audience parameters, or delivery levels, subject to the contract and channel. A mixed plan can use donated broadcast exposure for broad reach and paid media to support priority locations, timing, frequency, or audiences that donated placements do not reliably cover. Quotes should separate service fees, media spend, and any pass-through costs.

What should a client compare in proposals?

Compare the proposed outlet strategy, active outreach, technical deliverables, number of creative assets, tracking coverage, reporting detail, and assumptions about airings. Ask whether the price includes a defined reporting period and whether impressions or advertising value are estimates. A low distribution price may reflect file delivery alone for a limited time. For example, a donated PSA program should include sustained outreach and measurement for at least six (6) months and an annual plan is recommended due to variations in station and network PSA review processes and needs.

⭐️ Related guides: Donated versus paid · Donated media · Campaign duration

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