NBC wants $7M for a 30-second Super Bowl ad, internet has jokes

NBCUniversal is hoping to set a price of $7 million for a 30-second commercial during Super Bowl 2026. But this is only a bidding price, and it may increase even further. Variety confirmed this, adding that Fox had charged as much as $8 million for certain commercials in this year's event.

NBC will also telecast the Winter Olympics and the NBA All-Star Game next year. Reports indicate that the network has already been in talks with current advertisers as well as potential new ones.

The price of a 30-second Super Bowl commercial has increased immensely over time. For instance, in 1965, it was only $37,500, but now it can reach as high as $8 million.

Individuals are having a ball, teasing the extravagant ad cost. Some noted that $8 million is greater than what hundreds earn on minimum wage. Others cracked jokes about paying for a slot just to get on camera to eat a sandwich and have millions of people watch it.

In the meantime, some roasted NBC, claiming they're just attempting to bounce back from all their flops this year. And of course, there are those who think that $8 million for a commercial is chump change in today's market.

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Social media reacts to NBC reportedly charging $7 million for a 30-second Super Bowl 2026 ad

People are making jokes about the cost of the ad, claiming $8 million is equivalent to paying hundreds of people's annual minimum wage for 30 seconds. Some believe NBC is simply attempting to recoup all the money they lost this year.

Meanwhile, others are jokingly planning a GoFundMe to purchase a slot—just to consume a sandwich on camera. Because why would millions of people watch a person just eat a sandwich for 30 seconds?

Sharing a GIF, a user wrote:

"When a 30-second ad on TV is the price of at least 100+ minimum wage worker’s yearly salary."

A user @MovieMediaX joked:

"Now starting a GoFundMe so that I can interrupt your game, doing nothing other than eating a sandwich on your screen for 30 seconds straight."

A user @stream_scoop noted:

"Seems like a sneaky way to earn back some revenue lost in the production and maintenance of their streaming service."

Some are hilariously picturing NBC swimming in dough following ad revenues, while others are trolling Warner Bros. for bailing on ads—most likely to pinch pennies following a bad year.

A user shared a GIF that probably implied post-Super Bowl NBC.

Another user @mark_dcu poked fun at Warner Bros., stating:

"No wonder why WB skip the Super Bowl."

Users even joked that $7 million was enough to buy a lot of houses rather than a 30-second commercial. Others mocked advertisers, insisting that the funds could be spent better.

One user @TimDuncanDonutz roasted the entire situation, saying:

"Could you imagine if I had $7M and was like “what should I do with this money? Help people in need? Give back to my community?” And someone goes “30-second Super Bowl commercial”."

Yet another user @SirTopiano highlighted:

"Studios already lining up with their checkbooks open."

A user @EmmaSummerszz joked:

"$7 million wow. With that money I can buy 7 houses and have 70 kids haha."

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Meanwhile, Super Bowl LX is scheduled to take place on February 8, 2026.

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