How to Monetize Digital Signage: Turning Your Screens into a Revenue Stream

What if your screens could pay for themselves—and then some? Most businesses treat digital signage as a cost center. Something you spend money on to promote other things. But there’s a smarter way to use them. One that flips the equation entirely.

Your screens can make you money. Not passively. Not someday. But now—and consistently. If you’re not squeezing revenue out of your displays, you’re leaving cash on the table. And in this article, we’re going to show you how to fix that.

Here’s what we’ll break down:

• Smart ways to monetize digital signage—from third-party ads to high-ROI partnerships
• How to price and sell ad space on your screens without turning into a full-time media agency
• Examples of businesses crushing it with digital signage ads (and how they pulled it off)
• Which tools help you manage everything—content, scheduling, performance, and scaling

You’re in the right place if you want more than just pretty screens. Let’s show you how to put them to work—and pull in some serious revenue while you’re at it.

Turn Passive Screens into Profit-Making Machines

Digital signage shouldn’t sit idle. It’s a premium visual asset with the power to generate direct revenue—if you know how to handle the system behind it. The strategies below go beyond surface-level tips. We’re focusing on high-impact monetization tactics that have been proven to scale, especially across networks or multi-location environments.

Sell Third-Party Ad Space

Selling screen space is digital signage’s most straightforward monetization model—but success depends on how you structure and scale it.

You’re not offering generic airtime. You’re offering location-specific access to an audience with buying intent. That’s worth more than a banner on a website.

To do it well, you need to:

• Map screen inventory by location, visibility, and traffic volume. Every screen is not created equal. A display near a checkout line may hold 5x the value of one in a hallway.
• Segment your audience—demographics, interests, and behavior. The more granular your data, the easier it is to match advertisers with the right placement.
• Set programmatic pricing tiers based on impressions, dwell time, or time-of-day exposure. You can charge more during peak foot traffic windows (e.g., lunch hours, evenings).
• Automate with an SSP (Supply Side Platform) to handle scheduling, performance tracking, and dynamic ad serving. Think of it as the ad tech backbone of your network.

Professional Tip: Tie ad exposure to foot traffic analytics or PoS trends. If your screens sit inside a franchise or chain, buyers will expect performance metrics.

Partner with Strategic Brands

Strategic partnerships unlock recurring revenue and long-term brand alignment. Unlike third-party ads, these deals often integrate marketing efforts across multiple channels.

Let’s say you run a national fitness chain. Partnering with a nutrition brand could involve:

• Displaying branded workout tips or product placements across your screens
• Offering bundled deals or loyalty perks in exchange for fixed monthly payments
• Sharing audience engagement data to co-create campaigns or new offers

These aren’t one-off buys—they’re co-marketing investments.

Here’s how to structure them:

• Define scope clearly—who owns the content, how long it runs, what analytics get shared
• Align brand values and customer segments to avoid brand dilution or confusing messaging
• Use hybrid pricing models (fixed + performance-based) to increase perceived value and long-term buy-in

Pro Tip: Track conversion triggers—QR scans, product mentions, loyalty redemptions. Brands are far more likely to renew contracts when you prove attributable lift.

Promote Paid Internal Services

Self-promotion is still monetization—especially when you use signage to drive paid upgrades, upsells, or exclusive offerings. Internal content often has the highest ROI per screen because it bypasses acquisition costs. But to make this work, your promotions need to be tightly synced with sales cycles and customer behavior.

For example:

• A QSR (quick-service restaurant) could push loyalty programs or limited-time combo upgrades
• A salon might spotlight underbooked services midweek or offer add-on incentives (e.g., hot oil treatments, deep-conditioning deals)
• A coworking space could sell screen ads for in-house consultants or host-sponsored workshops

Here’s how to operationalize it:

• Use dynamic scheduling to trigger content during specific traffic windows or based on live performance metrics
• A/B test creative versions of the same promo to see which messaging or visuals perform better
• Tie in point-of-sale systems so messaging reflects available services and booking data

Pro Tip: Use a central CMS that lets you push content by location, category, or availability. That level of control drives contextual accuracy—and conversions.

Cross-Sell with Nearby Businesses

Micro-targeted cross-selling builds revenue without requiring national ad buyers or massive networks. This strategy works best in tight-knit communities or mixed commercial spaces—malls, office parks, shared buildings—where customer attention is a shared asset.

Here’s how to make it effective:

• Pre-qualify partners based on audience fit, customer overlap, and non-competing services
• Offer micro-campaigns (e.g., 2-week slots, weekend features) to test engagement and create urgency
• Use templates or content guidelines to keep messaging on brand and prevent visual clutter

A gym might rent 30 seconds per loop to a local smoothie bar. A coworking space could promote nearby lunch spots. Even pop-up events or real estate agents can benefit from temporary screen access.

Pro Tip: Create tiered packages—base rates for exposure, higher tiers for feature placements, animated content, or CTA overlays.

Launch Paid Event Promotions

Events are high-intent moments. Your screens can double as premium promotional real estate—before, during, and after. But the opportunity goes beyond event hosts. Sponsors, vendors, and partners all want in on screen time. That’s where monetization kicks in.

Operational steps to monetize event content:

• Segment campaigns by timeline (pre-event hype, on-site logistics, post-event recaps)
• Bundle screen ads with event packages (e.g., sponsor gets signage coverage, logo on-screen, and QR redirects)
• Use motion-based creatives to draw attention in high-traffic zones—especially lobbies, ticketing counters, or lounges

This model also feeds back into a larger strategy. Every event creates a list of leads—future advertisers who’ve tested your screens and seen the response.

Pro Tip: Capture metrics during events—impression counts, QR scan-through rates, dwell time near screens—and use that data in future sponsor pitches.

How to Sell Screen Time Without Losing Your Focus

You don’t need to run a media agency to monetize your digital signage network. What you need is a system—one that streamlines how you price, pitch, and manage ad space so it scales without burning your internal bandwidth.

Below, we’ll walk through how to build that system step by step.

Step 1: Categorize Your Screens by Value

Not all screens are priced the same. A display in a high-traffic checkout area doesn’t hold the same value as one near a side hallway or elevator.

Break your network into pricing tiers based on factors like:

• Foot traffic (volume and consistency)
• Average dwell time (how long viewers stay near a screen)
• Proximity to point-of-sale or decision-making areas
• Visibility and size of the screen

Example tiering structure:

Tier	Description	Avg. Monthly Price (USD)
1	High visibility, high dwell time	$800–$1,200
2	Moderate traffic, partial visibility	$400–$700
3	Niche location, low dwell time	$150–$300

This helps create pricing transparency and makes it easier to pitch screen time with confidence.

Step 2: Choose a Pricing Model That Fits Your Workflow

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. The right pricing model depends on how much control you want to keep and how passive you want the revenue to be.

Flat Rate (Monthly or Weekly)

• Simple to manage
• Ideal for long-term partnerships or exclusive placements
• Recommended if you work with local businesses or want to bundle with other marketing services

CPM (Cost Per Thousand Impressions)

• More data-driven, great for larger advertisers
• Requires foot traffic analytics or camera-based impression data
• Average CPMs range from $6 to $20, depending on location and audience quality

Loop-Based or Time Slot Pricing

• Sell screen time based on ad loop rotations
• Example: A 15-second ad shown every 5 minutes = 288 plays/day
• Helps advertisers visualize exposure quantity

Pro Tip: Combine models when it makes sense. Offer flat rates for standard placements and CPM pricing for premium campaigns tied to foot traffic.

Step 3: Build a Standard Rate Card

Don’t quote prices ad hoc. Build a structured rate card so potential advertisers can make quick decisions without a long back-and-forth.

Include:

• Screen locations and specs
• Pricing tiers and time slots
• Audience metrics (daily foot traffic, dwell time, viewer demographics if available)
• Discount structures for longer commitments

Keep it professional, branded, and ready to send with a single click. If you’re working with franchisees or multiple locations, create localized versions to match individual markets.

Step 4: Pre-Package Ad Options

Advertisers don’t want to figure out how to buy from you. Give them pre-built packages with clear deliverables and timeframes.

Example Packages:

• Starter – 15s ad, Tier 3 screens, 4-week run – $500
• Premium – 30s ad, Tier 1 + Tier 2 screens, 8-week run, includes performance report – $2,500
• Local Exclusive – Sole advertiser per loop, Tier 1 screens only, 12-week run – $4,000

This reduces decision friction and helps smaller advertisers commit faster.

Step 5: Use Tools to Streamline Ad Management

You don’t need a large team to handle scheduling, reporting, and performance tracking. Ad management tools can handle:

• Automated slot scheduling
• Creative approvals
• Content rotation logic
• Performance reporting (plays, dwell time, click-throughs if interactive)
• Billing and renewals

Pick a CMS or ad-tech solution that supports rule-based scheduling, multi-location control, and scalable asset management.

Pro Tip: Let advertisers preview how their content will look on screens before launch. A simple mockup or digital preview boosts buy-in.

Step 6: Create a Sales Enablement Kit

Equip yourself (or your team) with assets that speed up the sales process:

• Rate card (PDF and online version)
• Screen network map
• Case study deck showing results from past advertisers
• FAQ sheet (content guidelines, specs, timelines)
• Ready-to-send email templates and intake forms

The less back-and-forth, the easier it is to close deals—and keep advertisers coming back.

This system lets you sell screen time with precision—without bogging down your daily operations. Once it’s set up, you can manage ad sales at scale while keeping your core business front and center.

Real Businesses Turning Screens into Scalable Revenue

Digital signage isn’t reserved for flashy brands with massive media budgets. It’s being used—strategically—by businesses of all sizes to drive recurring income, improve partner relationships, and extend their brand reach.

Here’s how well-known companies have built serious revenue streams using digital signage advertising.

McDonald’s – Selling Screen Time to Strategic Partners

McDonald’s uses in-store digital signage not only to push core promotions but to sell advertising space to key partners. Beverage brands like Coca-Cola and McCafé often get premium placements within menus, promotional loops, and seasonal campaigns.

This isn’t accidental—it’s part of a broader co-op marketing model. McDonald’s leverages its screen real estate to secure manufacturer-funded ad dollars, giving partners high-exposure placements while maintaining full control over content integration.

What they got right:

• Centralized control over content rollout across thousands of screens
• Data-driven slot management based on store performance
• Clear alignment between product categories and promoted content

Walgreens – Monetizing Vendor Relationships with Digital Aisle Displays

Walgreens rolled out digital shelf signage across stores in the U.S. to boost in-aisle engagement and create ad space for vendors. CPG brands now compete for visual placements tied directly to product shelves—similar to endcap promotions but dynamic and trackable.

Through Walgreens Advertising Group (WAG), vendors purchase screen time with the ability to measure lift in sales directly linked to ad exposure.

What they got right:

• Connected sales data to signage performance to prove ROI
• Segmented campaigns by location, product type, and foot traffic
• Positioned digital signage as a value-add in vendor contracts

Shell – Advertising Local Offers on Forecourt Screens

Shell operates digital signage across its forecourts and in-store locations. In the U.S. and Europe, they’ve used these screens to sell ad space to local businesses and national partners. Promotions range from coffee deals to car wash upgrades and third-party coupons.

Their forecourt screens show targeted ads based on time-of-day and traffic conditions. By tying content to local events and fuel station footfall, Shell creates localized ad inventory at scale.

What they got right:

• Built a localized ad sales engine with geo-targeted delivery
• Monetized dwell time while customers refuel
• Created bundled ad packages (fuel + store + promo screen time)

JD Sports – Partner Promotions in High-Traffic Retail Zones

JD Sports uses dynamic digital signage throughout its retail stores to feature branded campaigns from partners like Nike, Adidas, and Puma. These aren’t passive placements—they’re high-impact video campaigns tied to co-funded launches and store-exclusive offers.

Brand partners gain exposure in front of purchase-ready customers while JD profits from premium media inventory inside high-traffic locations.

What they got right:

• Monetized screen loops during high-impact retail moments (e.g., product drops)
• Rotated content across regional campaigns to test performance
• Used large-format LED and narrowcasting for immersive ad delivery

Los Angeles Metro – Selling Transit Screen Time to Brands and Agencies

Across buses, stations, and rail lines, LA Metro has digitized much of its digital signage ad network—turning public infrastructure into a revenue-generating asset. Through partnerships with third-party media buyers, they lease screen space to brands ranging from tech startups to entertainment giants.

Digital signage revenue now plays a role in offsetting operating costs while offering real-time content switching, geo-targeted campaigns, and time-based pricing to advertisers.

What they got right:

• Structured clear inventory segments across formats and locations
• Used automated scheduling tools for real-time ad swaps
• Partnered with agencies to handle sales, keeping internal load light

Each of these businesses used digital signage to move beyond static messaging. They built frameworks that let them monetize screen inventory—without compromising the customer experience.

Tools That Keep Your Digital Signage Ads Running on Autopilot

Monetizing digital signage sounds great—until you’re stuck juggling ad rotations, content approvals, and performance reports across dozens (or hundreds) of screens. That’s where signage management software comes in. The right tools don’t just help you display content. They take care of content control, scheduling logic, analytics, ad performance, and scale—without tying up your internal team.

Let’s break down what to look for, which platforms are out there, and why the best-performing networks are built around one specific solution.

What to Look for in a Digital Signage Management Tool?

If you want to generate recurring revenue, your digital signage software can’t be limited to basic playback. Look for features that handle the monetization lifecycle from start to finish:

• Centralized content scheduling by location, audience, and time of day
• Flexible slot management for advertisers with different campaign durations
• Automated rotations and rules to prevent overlap or overexposure
• Performance analytics—impressions, screen-level metrics, or integrated foot traffic
• Multi-location support so you can scale without duplicating effort
• Remote access and user permissions to delegate responsibilities

Bonus points if your system integrates with programmatic ad platforms or supports real-time creative swaps based on traffic, weather, or events.

Common Tools Used in the Industry

Professionals in signage operations tend to rely on a mix of these platforms:

• Broadsign – Known for enterprise-level programmatic ad support and network scaling
• Scala – Offers strong content management capabilities with good customization
• Yodeck – Great for smaller networks with a plug-and-play model
• ScreenCloud – User-friendly UI and solid integrations, especially for internal comms
• NoviSign – Good for retail, with flexible layout options and live data widgets

Each of these platforms has strengths, but when monetization is your end goal, you’ll need more than content scheduling.

Why CrownTV’s Dashboard Stands Out for Revenue-Driven Networks

For businesses that want to turn digital signage into an ongoing revenue stream, CrownTV’s dashboard quietly solves the most complex parts of the equation—without overcomplicating your workflow.

Here’s how it sets itself apart:

• One secure dashboard manages everything—content, scheduling, screen health, and campaign logic—no switching between tools
• Flexible ad slot control so you can package screen time however you like: loop-based, time-based, location-specific
• Supports multi-site scaling without duplicating content or rebuilding layouts from scratch
• Granular user permissions let your team—or partners—manage screens without overstepping controls
• Hundreds of built-in app integrations, including weather, news, traffic, social, and calendars to add contextual value to ad space
• Full hardware compatibility with its exclusive media player, so you’re not chasing down tech issues while trying to grow revenue
• Rock-solid uptime and remote access—because downtime = missed ad revenue

CrownTV’s dashboard wasn’t built for content display alone. It was designed to help businesses scale digital signage advertising network operations efficiently, without sacrificing performance. Whether you’re selling to partners, featuring promotions, or growing additional revenue streams, CrownTV brings structure to the process.

While many digital signage offers seem easy upfront, they quickly fall apart without the backend power to manage growing complexity. With CrownTV, your digital signs are backed by tools that deliver consistency, control, and real earning potential—no guesswork required.

If you’re managing more than one screen—or thinking about expanding your signage footprint—your software will either fuel growth or become the bottleneck. Pick a platform that aligns with your monetization model, automates complexity, and actually helps you sell.

Final Words: Make Screen Monetization Easier with CrownTV

Turning your digital signage into a steady revenue stream isn’t a pipe dream—it’s a practical, scalable strategy when you’ve got the right systems in place. You’ve seen how smart businesses package screen space, sell to advertisers, and automate content delivery without turning operations upside down.

If you’ve made it this far, you already understand what’s possible. Now, it’s about putting those screens to work—and doing it without creating more work for your team.

Let’s recap the key takeaways:

• Monetization starts with strategy—ad slots, partnerships, and internal promotions all play a role
• Screen location, audience exposure, and dwell time directly impact ad value
• Selling ad space is easier when pricing models, rate cards, and packages are already built
• Real businesses—from McDonald’s to Walgreens—are pulling six figures from signage networks
• Tools matter, and CrownTV’s dashboard gives you full control to scale, schedule, and manage without complexity

If your digital signage isn’t pulling in revenue yet, the issue likely isn’t visibility—it’s the system behind it. CrownTV makes that system effortless. The right screens, the right dashboard, and the right support are all within reach—and they’re built to make monetization feel less like a media agency and more like a smart business.

What You’ll Get When You Monetize with CrownTV

Building a profitable digital signage network isn’t just about the screens—it’s about having the right partner behind them. Here’s what you can expect when you team up with CrownTV to turn your digital signage displays into a reliable revenue stream:

• Start-to-finish setup handled for you: From selecting the right digital screens to installing and configuring your system, CrownTV delivers a full-service rollout. You stay focused on your business while we take care of the technical heavy lifting—indoors or out.
• Professional-grade installations nationwide: Whether you’re managing one location or scaling across multiple, our licensed and insured technicians cover all 50 states. We handle wiring, mounting, system activation, and testing—every installation meets commercial-grade standards.
• A strategy built to maximize ROI: Monetization starts with the right blueprint. We help you map out a signage strategy designed around your space, audience behavior, and communication goals—so you’re not just displaying content but also generating value.
• Reliable support that keeps revenue flowing: Issues can’t wait when your screens are tied to ad revenue. Our expert support team is always ready to troubleshoot, optimize, and update your system without disrupting your operations.
• Smart, compact media player with serious power: CrownTV’s exclusive media player packs performance into a tiny box—reliable, consistent, and designed to run complex ad loops, dynamic content, and app integrations without breaking a sweat.
• Proven experience that drives results: With 13+ years in the digital signage space, we know what works—and what wastes time. Our solutions are built on real-world experience managing thousands of screens and helping businesses earn from them.
• Detailed consulting from concept to execution: From site surveys and compliance checks to tailored project planning, we bring precision and professionalism to every rollout. Every step is planned to support your long-term digital signage advertising revenue goals.

CrownTV helps you move beyond digital displays and build a signage network that actually drives income—without creating more work for your team.