Media Link Software Broadcast Buys

How to Spend Smart and Save Big

As independent agencies move away from costly data subscriptions like Nielsen or ComScore, Media Link Software® (MLS) offers a fast, centralized alternative for buying broadcast, cable, and radio inventory. Buyers can bulk-import station proposals across multiple channels in roughly 15 minutes, then directly edit time slots, spot rates, and rating points with real-time CPP and CPM updates. Hovering over modified fields reveals original baseline ratings for complete transparency, while shift-clicking lets buyers sort by daypart and CPP simultaneously to pinpoint top-value spots. Furthermore, proposals convert into placement orders with a single click, featuring customizable traffic rotation rules for precise asset splits and flight dates. 

To maintain strict financial control and prevent overspending, MLS combines built-in daypart goal tracking with automated post-buy reconciliation. Buyers can set targeted spend allocations, like splitting budgets 25/75 between Early Morning and Primetime, and the system flags misallocations before orders are finalized. Once a campaign airs, buyers simply upload station invoices and affidavits, which the software cross-references against original order details like program titles, rates, and run dates within three minutes. Mismatched or un-aired spots immediately generate a Missed Spot Report to secure station make-goods, while a final post-buy summary compares ordered GRPs against actual delivered results to catch billing overages in real time. 

Key TV Buying Features at a Glance

  • Census-Driven Market Creation: Calculates populations, reach, and frequency across DMAs using county-level Census data to eliminate expensive rating subscriptions.
  • Rapid Avails & Dynamic Editing: Imports station proposals in 15 minutes with real-time CPP/CPM recalculations and simultaneous daypart/CPP sorting.
  • 1-Click Proposal-to-Order: Instantly converts approved client proposals into final vendor orders with zero re-entry.
  • Commercial Traffic Rotation: Schedules multiple creative assets with automated percentage splits (e.g., 50/50 rotations) across specific flight dates.
  • Multi-Station Copy Weeks: Clones monthly or annual schedules across multiple stations in seconds to streamline long-term buys.
  • Daypart Goal Allocation: Tracks ordered inventory against custom spend targets (e.g., 25% Early Morning / 75% Primetime) to keep buys strategically aligned.
  • Automated Affidavit Matching: Audits station PDF affidavits against original orders in minutes, automatically generating Missed Spot Reports.
  • Post-Buy Overspend Protection: Compares ordered vs. delivered GRPs, spots, and spend to ensure full value and prevent billing overages.