Navigate the key terms and metrics used in both Streaming TV and Local TV advertising on Simulmedia Self-Serve.

General Terms

Term Definition
CPM (Cost Per Mille) The cost per thousand ad impressions. Standard pricing model used across both Streaming and Local TV advertising.
Frequency How often the same viewer sees an ad. Balance is key—repetition builds awareness but too much causes ad fatigue.
Impressions The number of times an ad is served. Measures overall campaign reach and scale.
Reach The number of unique viewers who saw your ad across the campaign.
ROAS (Return on Ad Spend) Revenue generated for every dollar spent on advertising. Measures financial performance of campaigns.
Incrementality The additional, causally-attributed lift in sales or conversions driven by your campaign, beyond what would have happened anyway, a deeper measure of impact than reach or impressions alone.
Target Audience The specific demographic or behavioral segment your campaign aims to reach.
Attribution Process of crediting streaming ad exposures to specific actions or conversions by tracking viewer behavior across devices.
Brand Lift Measures changes in consumer perception after streaming ad exposure through comparative surveys.
Pixel Tracking Technology that tracks website visitors after viewing streaming ads. Essential for conversion measurement.

Streaming TV Terms

Term Definition
CTV Television sets connected to the internet through built-in capabilities (smart TVs) or external devices (streaming sticks, boxes, game consoles). Another term for Streaming TV.
OTT (Over-the-Top) Video content delivered via internet without traditional cable/satellite subscription. Another term for streaming services.
Targeting Group Customizable audience segment within a streaming campaign based on demographics, behaviors, or interests.
Daily Budget Spending limit per day for streaming campaigns. Minimum $50/day on Simulmedia Self-Serve.
Lifetime Budget Total spending limit for entire campaign duration. Minimum $150 on Simulmedia Self-Serve. Required for retargeting campaigns.
Conversion Rate Percentage of viewers who take a desired action (website visit, purchase) after seeing a streaming ad.

Local TV Terms

Term Definition
Broadcast TV Television programming transmitted over airwaves to reach mass audiences through local stations.
Cable/Satellite TV Television delivered through cable lines or satellite signals, requiring paid subscriptions.
Daypart Specific time blocks when ads run (Prime Time, Morning, Late Fringe, etc.).
Flight The scheduled period when Local TV ads are on-air.
GRP (Gross Rating Points) Measures the size of an audience reached by Locl TV ads. One GRP = 1% of target audience.
Prime Time Peak viewing hours (typically 8-11 PM) with highest audience numbers and premium pricing.
Spot Individual Local TV commercial placement.
TV Market Geographic area covered by local broadcast stations. Also known as DMA (Designated Market Area).
Upfront Annual Local TV ad buying period where advertisers purchase inventory in advance.

Budget Terms

Term Definition
Campaign Budget Total amount allocated across all targeting groups and campaign duration.
Minimum Spend Streaming TV: $50/day or $150 lifetime. Local TV: $5,000 minimum. Budget also determines how many markets you can select — $800 per DMA per week is the recommended minimum for meaningful delivery.
Pacing How quickly or slowly budget is spent throughout the campaign timeline.

Performance Metrics

Term Definition
Cost Per Event Cost incurred for each attributed conversion event.
CPR (Cost Per Reach) The cost to reach one unique viewer with your ad.
Average Frequency Average number of times each unique viewer saw your ad.
Average Purchase Price Average revenue per purchase driven by the ad campaign.

Need help understanding these terms in practice? Check our guides for Creating a Streaming TV Campaign or Setting up Local TV Campaign.