PLAN
CTV launch checklist: plan, run and read a streaming TV pilot
QUICK ANSWER
A good CTV pilot is decided before launch: one goal, one success metric, a holdout or geo test agreed in advance, tracking that works, and written answers from the platform on terms, inventory and fees. This checklist covers 20 steps in four stages, and you can tick them off as you go.
By The Tuning Desk · CTV Ad Finder · Published 2026-10-18
Built only from each platform's own public pages. We opened no accounts, bought no media and held no demos or vendor interviews.
Before you pick a platform
Questions to ask each platform, in writing
Set up
Run and read
Which platforms publish the answers to steps 6 to 10?
Scroll the table sideways
| Platform | Entry terms | Fees | Named inventory | Incrementality | Partners |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon DSP | "DVA+ uses cost per mille (CPM) billing with no minimum spend." Amazon Ads' About us FAQ says managed-service campaigns run through an account executive "typically require a minimum spend of $50,000 (US)". Source: Amazon Ads: About us (FAQ) | CPM billing for DVA+. A platform fee percentage is not stated on the pages we read. Not published | Exclusive inventory on "Prime Video, Twitch, Thursday Night Football, Amazon.com, and Fire TV", plus "thousands of premium third-party sites and apps". Source: Amazon Ads: Amazon DSP | Not on the pages we read | Not on the pages we read |
| Disney Campaign Manager | "a low minimum spend of $500 per campaign". | "No hidden fees and no subscription, setup, or installation fees. Billing starts after your Ad starts running." A CPM rate is not stated on the FAQ. Not published | Hulu and Disney+ only. | Not on the pages we read | Not on the pages we read |
| MNTN | "No upfront commitments. No minimums." The enterprise page describes "fully at-will buying". Source: MNTN homepage | No public CPM or fee schedule on the homepage. Its impression calculator defaults to a $5K monthly budget (slider $5K to $1M) and shows estimated impressions only. Source: MNTN homepage | MNTN states direct deals with 150+ streaming TV networks. Source: MNTN inventory page | Not on the pages we read | Stated |
| Roku Ads Manager | Guidance, not a stated hard minimum: "get started with existing creative and as little as $500", and $500–$1,000 is enough to get a campaign live for most first-time advertisers, per Roku's guide dated February 25, 2026. Source: Roku Ads: how much does it cost to advertise on Roku | "CPM pricing model"; "Pricing is dynamic"; no upfront payment: "Pay as your campaign delivers". Source: Roku Ads: how much does it cost to advertise on Roku | Inventory beyond Roku is not described on the page we read. Source: Roku Ads: how much does it cost to advertise on Roku | Not on the pages we read | Not on the pages we read |
| StackAdapt | A minimum budget is not stated. The plans FAQ says "Programmatic ad campaigns perform best when they have enough budget". Not published Source: StackAdapt plans and packages | No prices are shown on the plans page. The FAQ says "no hidden tech fees". Source: StackAdapt plans and packages | A multi-channel DSP: "CTV, DOOH, display, native, audio, video, and email in one platform". | Partly | Not on the pages we read |
| Tatari | "Tatari supports flexible minimums"; no dollar minimum is stated. | "CPM, CPA, flexible models" and "Transparent CPMs and cost visibility"; no public rate card. | Buy and measure across "Streaming TV, Linear TV, and Online Video", with programmatic and direct publisher buying. Source: Tatari homepage | Stated | Not on the pages we read |
| The Trade Desk | No public pricing or minimum on the pages we read. Source: The Trade Desk homepage | Fees are not stated on the pages we read. Not published | An omnichannel DSP for audio, connected TV, digital out-of-home, mobile, display, native and video. | Not on the pages we read | Partly |
| tvScientific | Minimum spend, CPM and fees are not stated on the homepage, inventory or measurement pages. Not published Source: tvScientific homepage | "Guaranteed Outcomes": "only pay when you get results", an outcome-based option. Source: tvScientific homepage | "premium streaming and linear inventory"; "reach 93% of U.S. Source: tvScientific inventory page | Stated | Partly |
| Universal Ads | Minimum spend and CPM are not stated on the homepage. Not published Source: Universal Ads homepage | "no hidden fees". Rates are not stated on the homepage. Not published Source: Universal Ads homepage | "Reach up to 90% of US households"; Universal Ads states access to 20+ TV brands through the "Universal Audience Network" (network names are not in the page text). Source: Universal Ads homepage | Not on the pages we read | Partly |
| Vibe | Vibe's pages describe both a $50 per day figure and no minimums; confirm current terms with Vibe. Source: Vibe pricing page | The pricing page lists "No Commitment" and payment by "Credit Card or Wire Payment". Its budget simulator shows an estimated CPM range of $15–$35 (an estimate, not a rate card). Platform or management fees are not stated on the pricing page. Not published Source: Vibe pricing page | "500+ channels available". Source: Vibe apps and channels page | Stated | Stated |