In media buying, what metric is used to determine the cost-effectiveness of reaching a specific target demographic through television advertising?

Cost Per Thousand (CPM) is the metric used to determine the cost-effectiveness of reaching a specific target demographic through television advertising. CPM, also known as Cost Per Mille, represents the cost an advertiser pays for one thousand views or impressions of an advertisement. When buying television advertising, CPM is calculated by dividing the cost of the advertisement by the number of viewers within the target demographic (expressed in thousands). This metric allows advertisers to compare the relative cost-effectiveness of different television programs or time slots for reaching their desired audience. For example, if two television programs both reach the target demographic, the program with the lower CPM is considered more cost-effective because it reaches the same number of people at a lower cost. CPM is a widely used metric in media buying because it provides a standardized way to compare the cost of reaching different audiences across various media channels. It helps media buyers make informed decisions about where to allocate their advertising budget to maximize reach and efficiency within their target demographic. While other metrics like reach and frequency are also important, CPM specifically quantifies the cost of reaching the target audience, making it essential for evaluating cost-effectiveness.