Welcome to FTW Explains: a guide to catching up on and better understanding stuff going on in the world. Super Bowl commercials are a big deal and come with a big price, and you may be wondering why that is. We’re here to help.
Given how much money is poured into Super Bowl commercials, it’s easy to feel like they’re as important as the game itself. It’s one of those rare events — perhaps the only sporting event or even general broadcast — where people tuning in, instead of ignoring them or briefly changing the channel, actually want to see the ads.
And then, of course, once they begin airing between whistles, fans are treated so some delightful or nostalgic commercials, along with the really wacky ones too.
Here’s a look at how Super Bowl commercial costs have increased in recent years and what FOX is asking for this year from its advertisers.