How Much Does It Cost to Produce a Radio Advert (and What's Involved)?

Quick answer

Producing the advert is a separate cost from airing it, and it is usually the smaller of the two. Across the UK market, professional production for a straightforward 30-second local ad often runs from £100-£500, depending on the voiceover, music and how much editing is involved. In some cases you may not pay for it separately at all, because stations frequently include production free when you book airtime.

Here is what goes into it, and how the DIY route compares.

Airtime puts your advert in front of people. The script decides whether they remember it.

What production actually involves

A finished radio ad is more than a voice reading your offer. A typical job covers:

• Scripting. Writing 30 seconds that lands one clear message with a reason to act. This is the part most often underrated, and it does the heavy lifting.
• Voiceover. A professional voice artist recording the script. Choice of voice, accent and whether you use one voice or two affects the cost.
• Music and sound. A music bed and any sound effects, plus the licensing to use them legally. Stations usually work from a pre-cleared library so you are covered.
• Editing and mixing. Balancing voice, music and levels into a clean, broadcast-ready file that meets technical standards.
• Timelines. A simple ad can often be turned around in a few working days. Allow longer if you want multiple versions or several script revisions.

Typical UK market ranges (not Frisk's prices)

These are general market ranges to set expectations, not a quote. What you pay depends on the voice, the amount of music and how complex the edit is.

• A straightforward 30-second local ad: often from around a hundred pounds into the low hundreds.
• More elaborate ads (multiple voices, custom music, several versions): more.

If production is bundled with your airtime, the separate cost may effectively be nothing. We can confirm exactly what Frisk includes so you are not guessing.

Why stations often include production free

Many stations, Frisk included where offered, treat production as added value rather than a line item, because a well-made ad performs better and reflects well on the station. Bundling it with airtime removes a barrier for smaller advertisers and helps make sure what goes on air is up to standard.

That matters because quality is not just cosmetic. Radio's effect on a brand is real: it has been shown to lift ad awareness by 49%, brand trust by 32% and consideration by 18% (Radiocentre, "Radio: The Performance Multiplier", 2026). A sharp, well-produced ad is what carries those gains. A weak one wastes the airtime you are paying for.

Before assuming production is free, check the terms. It is worth confirming what is included, how many revisions you get, and whether re-records later cost extra.

Frisk tip: Treat the script as the most important part of the budget, not the afterthought. Airtime puts your ad in front of people; the script decides whether they remember it.

The Overall Cost

Production is only half the picture. What you spend to actually air the ad, and how often, is the bigger decision. See our companion guide on how much radio advertising costs in the UK, and for how it fits a wider local plan, our guide to reaching local customers.

If you would like to know exactly what Frisk's production includes and whether it comes free with a booking, we are happy to walk you through the process and quote current local rates so you can plan against real figures.