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Best CTV Advertising Solutions for Local Business Growth

  • 13 hours ago
  • 5 min read

If you run a local business, I’ve got good news for you. TV advertising is no longer out of your league. Gone are the days when you needed massive budgets, huge production teams, and expensive equipment just to get your message on TV. Connected TV advertising (CTV) has changed all that.


Today, with budgets starting as low as $50 on some platforms, you can put your brand in front of potential customers right in the comfort of their living rooms. This isn't a theory. It’s backed by actual data.


According to Nielsen, streaming TV accounts for approximately 44.8% of total U.S. TV viewership in 2025. Not cable TV. Not traditional broadcast TV. Streaming and CTV. That’s where viewers are spending their time. And now, it’s easier than ever for you to meet them there.


So how do you get started?


Read on as we list out some of the best CTV advertising platforms you can use to drive local business growth and expand your reach in 2026.


What is CTV Advertising?


CTV advertising involves placing ads on smart TVs and dedicated streaming devices like Roku, Amazon Fire TV, or Apple TV.


The beauty of CTV ads is that they allow you to serve ads to specific audiences based on their unique interests, locations, and online behaviors. Unlike with traditional TV, you're not broadcasting to the entire country and hoping for the best.


This precision is exactly why CTV is highly appealing to local businesses. No wonder ad spend here is rising. According to the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), CTV ad spend is currently seeing a 16% year-over-year growth. At this pace, ad spend on CTV will likely outpace linear TV in just a few years' time.


Top CTV Advertising Solutions and Platforms


Many CTV platforms now cater specifically to smaller budgets. Here are the best solutions for local businesses looking to scale.


Adwave: Best Overall Choice


Adwave is a CTV advertising platform built for local businesses that want real TV exposure without the usual cost and complexity. The platform makes it very easy to create and launch a professional commercial in minutes, even if you have no video or media buying experience. 


You don't even need to have any tech expertise, as Adwave automates the ad-making process, using AI to turn your website into a ready-to-air commercial and place it on 100+ premium channels.


According to a review by Delanie Stevens, GM of Mountain Burger, within days of using Adwave, Mountain Burger saw more foot traffic than any other promotion they've ever run. That kind of result speaks volumes about the platform’s effectiveness.


And you don't need huge budgets to get started, too. Starting at $50, you can test Adwave TV advertising without risk.


Core Services and Features


  • AI-powered TV ad creation

  • Local and ZIP code targeting

  • Access to 100+ premium channels

  • $50 minimum with no long-term contracts

  • Real-time campaign tracking and analytics


StackAdapt


StackAdapt is a self-serve, AI-powered platform designed for local businesses and brands looking to run smarter digital ad campaigns. 


It doesn’t just let you create ads for CTV. It also allows advertising across multiple channels, including video, display, and native. It provides you with all the tools you need to reach the right audiences at the right time, with flexible pricing models tailored to your campaign objectives. 


StackAdapt was recently referred to as one of the fastest-growing, top-performing, and easiest-to-use DSP technology companies by Business Wire. 


Core Services and Features


  • Multi-channel ad delivery covering CTV, video, native, and display

  • AI-powered campaigns

  • Advanced audience targeting

  • Self-serve, intuitive platform for full campaign control

  • Real-time analytics and performance tracking


MNTN (formerly SteelHouse)


MNTN (pronounced Mountain) makes running TV ads as easy as digital marketing. 


This Connected TV (CTV) advertising platform, which was formerly known as SteelHouse, helps local businesses reach real local audiences on streaming services without the need for TV contracts, big budgets, or specialized equipment. 


MNTN is ideal for businesses new to TV advertising. You can launch campaigns, target the right viewers, and measure results in real-time, all from one platform. 


Core Services and Features:


  • Performance TV that allows for measurable, direct-response campaigns

  • AI-powered audience targeting

  • QuickFrame AI for easy video ad creation and optimization

  • Access to premium streaming inventory across top platforms

  • Real-time analytics to track ROI, conversions, and engagement


Roku Ads Manager


Roku Ads Manager puts the power of the big screen into the hands of local businesses. And just like every other platform on our list, you don’t need a massive agency or a Hollywood budget to reach your customers. 


Roku’s self-serve platform lets you launch, manage, and polish your campaigns in minutes, showing your ads exactly when and where people are streaming. 


Your ads will appear only to Roku users, but that still gives you access to over 90 million active accounts.


Core Services and Features


  • Self-service campaign setup and management

  • Reach over 90 million active Roku users

  • Target by demographics, interests, and viewing habits

  • Shopify integration for on-screen purchases

  • Flexible ad lengths (6–92 seconds)


Paramount Ads Manager


Paramount Ads Manager levels the playing field for local businesses, offering direct access to premium networks like CBS, Paramount+, and MTV, and reaching 79 million global subscribers as of 2025. 


Whether you’re a seasoned marketer or a first-time advertiser, the platform simplifies high-impact TV advertising without requiring a Hollywood budget.


In late 2025, Paramount launched a tool called Performance Multiplier. The goal of this tool is to retarget your audience across thousands of websites after they see your CTV ad. This means improved engagement and conversions.


Core Services and Features:


  • Self-serve campaign setup for easy ad management

  • Geo, demographic, and interest targeting

  • AI-powered video ad creation tools

  • Transparent pricing with a low minimum spend

  • Performance Multiplier retargeting across web and mobile


Get Started With CTV Advertising Today


The barrier to advertising on TV has never been lower. You no longer need a $50,000 budget to land on the big screen. In fact, you can start testing streaming ads for as low as $50 on many CTV advertising platforms.


Here is a quick checklist to get started:


  • Define Your "Why": Are you chasing brand awareness, physical store visits, or digital leads? Know your "Why" before you spend a dollar.


  • Think Local: Don’t waste budget on an entire state. Pinpoint the specific zip codes or cities where your customers actually live.


  • Choose Your Tool: Choose the CTV ad platform that actually meets your needs. We covered five in this guide. Work only with the one that checks all your boxes.


  • Bridge the Gap: Since viewers can't click a TV, use a QR code. It's a smart way to turn a passive viewer into an active lead instantly.


  • Tie CTV Ads Into Your Overall Marketing: CTV works best when it’s backed up by your social media and search campaigns. Tie everything together.


  • Follow the Data: Use real-time analytics to see exactly which shows or times of day are actually driving traffic to your site. That's where you should double down.


As you can see, the big screen isn't a "national brand" club anymore. It belongs to the local coffee shop, the family law firm, and the neighborhood contractor. It belongs to small, local business owners like you. Don't sleep on it.

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