Why TV and Radio Belong in Your 2026 Marketing Plan

Imagine being the first name people think of when they need some electrical work done. That kind of ‘front of mind’ awareness is the holy grail of marketing. And while most businesses these days are focused on clicks and likes, there’s a massive, attentive audience tuning into local radio and TV every single day. It’s high time you get in on that action.

Play your cards right on your 2026 marketing plan, and you have an opportunity to own the ‘big moments’ – the morning commute, the evening news, the footy grand final. Here’s how you can go from ‘just another sparky’ to ‘the local leader’.

Step into TV and BVOD advertising

We know what you’re thinking – TV ads cost an arm and a leg right? Not necessarily, because we’re not talking about a slot during the NRL Grand Final here. Regional TV packages (like Prime or WIN in specific towns) start from as little as $2500 a week and remain a go-to strategy for tradies keen to build credibility and trust, boost brand awareness and establish familiarity in your local area – or new locations.

Then there’s BVOD (Broadcaster Video on Demand), available on apps like 9Now, 7Plus and SBS On Demand. These are a game changer not only because they enable you to target by postcode (so you’re not paying to show your ad to the whole country, just your local patch), but also because live streaming of TV is booming. Growing at 41% year-on-year, this is where your audience’s eyes are going – a marketing must if your goal is to secure widespread local visibility.

Not sure you’re ready to be on screen? We get it. TV/streaming can be a daunting move, particularly for tradies who are used to working their sparky magic behind the scenes – but right now this is the advertising medium viewers trust most. In fact, a recent study found that 83% of viewers trust ads on TV/streaming, compared to only 58% on social media. What’s more, the average viewing time sits at just over two hours on TV/streaming, compared to the fleeting glances you’d get during a doomscrolling session on socials. When your business appears on a ‘premium’ screen, you look established, reliable, professional – the go-to electrician people can trust. Surely that’s worth prepping for your close-up?

Add radio to the mix

From the lounge room to the morning commute – commercial radio is your opportunity to reach potential customers while they’re driving, often right when they’re thinking about their to-do list. They’re mentally scrolling through pesky jobs that need sorting, home improvements or seasonal safety upgrades – that’s peak time to land in their eardrums.

And we’re talking about a lot of eardrums. Commercial radio reaches 12.5 million Australians every week, with 10.4 million of those listeners tuning in from the car (or ute!).

As for who’s listening, the 25-54 age group is the key demographic here, with 6.2 million tuning in weekly. That means you’re reaching key homeowners and decision-makers via a medium they trust, deeply. Radio stations are considered institutions in their local communities, a place people tune in daily to hear their favourite hosts share news, music and (you guessed it) ads from local businesses. Also, depending on your advertising package, your message will be shared multiple times – with repetition being the key here to establishing brand presence, exposure and positioning you top of mind. Winning.

How to dip your toe in

Straight up – keep it simple. You don’t need a Hollywood crew, but you do need to nail down your messages. What are the key things you want people to know when watching/listening to your ad? When it comes to TV/BVOD, a slideshow of your best work with a professional voiceover and logo is enough to get you started. As for radio, the station will often record the voiceover for you as part of the package – just come prepped with what you want to say.

We’d also suggest you start small. Pick one station or one tailored Catch-up TV campaign for a month, gauge the results and make your next informed move from there. Remember, building a brand is about being everywhere your customers are – that includes their living rooms and car radios. So take the leap and see what happens when you start playing in the big leagues. We’ll be tuning in!

Supplier Spotlight