A Times Square billboard is the ultimate photo bomb. This experience lets you send in your photo or video and have it shown for 15 seconds every hour for a full day, right in the loudest, most famous corner of NYC.

I like how simple it is to make it personal: you can add a custom frame and a line of text, whether you’re celebrating a birthday, a promotion, or honoring someone special. I also love that the content repeats all day, so you’re not stuck waiting for one exact moment.

One thing to consider: you’ll want to plan to see it in person (or at least be ready to stay nearby). Depending on how your billboard is assigned, online viewing may not always match what you’ll see on the street.

Key points before you go

• 15 seconds, every hour, for 24 hours means multiple chances to catch your moment.
• Custom frames and text help your image look like it belongs in Times Square.
• One ticket = one photo or video submission (with one or more people).
• Your content isn’t locked in until it’s uploaded and approved.
• Location is tightly defined (above the Pele store, near TKTS), so plan where you’ll watch.
• A second nearby billboard may be used, which can affect what you see if you rely on an online feed.

Where Your Billboard Plays: Pele Store to TKTS Steps

This experience centers on a very specific Times Square patch: the billboard is positioned above the Pele store, and it sits directly across from the TKTS red steps. That matters more than it sounds. In Times Square, a few blocks can change the whole feel of your walk, and here you’re working with a consistent visual landmark.

When you arrive at 1560 Broadway, you’re already in the zone where people naturally pause, take photos, and look up. That’s a big part of the fun—your “content launch” happens in a place built for watching screens. So while the core action is short (upload and then watch), your surroundings support the payoff.

Also, since it’s near public transportation, you’re not forced into a car-taxi maze just to catch your hour. You can plan your day around the billboard instead of building your whole NYC schedule around it.

Price and Value: Why $150 Can Feel Worth It

At $150 per person, this isn’t a casual souvenir. It’s closer to buying a moment—one you can tailor and then share with the people you care about.

Here’s what you actually get for the money:

• Your photo or a 15-second video gets broadcast
• You can include a custom frame
• You can add a line of text
• It plays 15 seconds every hour for 24 hours

That repeat schedule is the key value lever. If it was a one-time blast, you’d spend most of your time worrying about timing. Instead, you can realistically plan to see it multiple times during your visit—or catch it later the same day and still be in control.

One more value detail: a ticket lets you submit one photo or video, even if it includes one or more people. So if you’re celebrating as a couple, a family group, or a small circle, it can be a stronger deal than splitting into multiple separate uploads.

The 24-Hour Show: How the 15-Second Loop Works

Your image runs for 15 seconds every hour for 24 hours. That translates to 24 display moments across the day. In practice, that means you get several chances to see it while you’re walking around Times Square—or to line up the moment when your group is actually together.

I like how repeatable this is for surprise scenarios. If someone is waiting for it, you can adjust your timing. If you miss one cycle, you can often catch the next one without feeling like you blew the whole plan.

The other side of that: the content window is short. Fifteen seconds sounds long until you’re standing at street level with crowds, traffic, and camera angles. So bring patience. If you want a clean view, I’d plan to slow down, face the right direction, and give your group a solid minute to settle rather than sprinting through the area.

Uploading Your Photo or Video: What Matters Most

The billboard isn’t guaranteed until your content is submitted and then approved. That’s a big practical point. Your booking is effectively pending your upload and acceptance, so don’t treat this like something you can schedule and then forget.

Plan to:

• Upload a clear photo (or a video that looks readable at billboard size)
• Double-check that the faces and text placement make sense
• Make the upload early enough that approval has time to happen before you need it

Also, you can submit either a photo or a video. If you’re thinking video, keep it simple: a clean 15 seconds with a clear subject works best when the goal is recognition and surprise.

On top of that, you can add a line of text and choose a frame. This is where you turn a nice picture into a Times Square moment. Text helps people instantly understand what they’re seeing, even if they only catch a slice of the broadcast.

Make It a Real Surprise: A Simple On-the-Ground Plan

This is easiest when you treat the day like a mini photo mission.

Here’s a practical way to do it:

1. Arrive near the Pele/TKTS side of Times Square so you’re facing the billboard when your hour comes.
2. Coordinate your group’s exact meetup spot on the street level (use the TKTS steps as the visual reference).
3. Give yourselves time to watch more than once. With an hourly schedule, you’ll often see it again while you’re still there.

If you’re planning a birthday, anniversary, or tribute moment, think about when your person will be looking up. The “wow” factor is highest when they’re not walking while guessing what they’re seeing.

One more tip: be careful about relying on any online viewing experience. One of the frustrations people run into is thinking they’ll watch an online feed and confirm it that way. But nearby screens and assignments can change what shows up online versus what’s actually broadcasting in front of you. If it’s important, I’d treat the street view as the plan, not the backup.

Custom Frames, Text, and the Best Image Choices

Customization is where this experience turns from funny to meaningful.

I’d focus on three things when choosing what to submit:

• Face clarity: the person you want recognized should be easy to pick out at a distance
• Text legibility: a short line reads better than long messages
• Composition: make sure the subject fills enough of the frame to look good on a massive screen

The format is designed for impact. A billboard doesn’t reward tiny, detailed photos. It rewards bold, centered subjects and readable text.

If you’re honoring someone, this setup can also carry a lot of emotion. A short message with a clear portrait can make the whole day feel personal in a way normal NYC photos can’t.

And because it repeats for 24 hours, you can share it with friends and family who weren’t there. Even if they only catch one hourly cycle, it still lands.

Location Tips in Crowded Times Square

Times Square has a rhythm: waves of people stop, take photos, and then flow again. Your goal is to align with that rhythm instead of fighting it.

Since the billboard is above the Pele store and across from TKTS, you can use those fixed points to reduce stress. Don’t wander too far while you’re waiting for a display window. Keep your group close, facing the same direction, so nobody misses the fifteen-second moment.

Also, expect crowds. This is a popular attraction area, and your billboard moment draws extra attention. That’s part of the fun, but it means you should give yourself a buffer—arrive a bit early and avoid rushing.

Finally, with a maximum of 240 travelers, the experience isn’t huge, but the street-level vibe will still feel lively. Keep your expectations realistic: the screen is the star, but the street scene is where you’ll do the waiting.

Who This Suits Best (and Who Should Skip It)

This is ideal if you want a high-impact NYC souvenir without doing heavy planning.

It fits especially well for:

• Birthdays (including milestone ages)
• Anniversaries and relationship celebrations
• Promotions and send-offs
• Tributes and memorial gestures that deserve a public, lasting visual

It may not suit you if:

• You hate crowds and don’t want to stand around Times Square
• You’re expecting a long, guided experience or a multi-stop itinerary
• You need guaranteed viewing only through a webcam or live feed (content may not be presented the same way online as it is in person)

If your main goal is just to get a couple photos for Instagram, there are cheaper options. But if your goal is to create a real “that happened to me” moment, the hourly repeat makes it easier to pull off.

FAQ

FAQ

Do I need to be at Times Square for the billboard to show my photo or video?

Your photo or video is displayed on the billboard for 24 hours with an hourly 15-second schedule, but you’ll likely want to be near the meeting area to see it in real time.

How often will my image appear on the billboard?

It appears for 15 seconds every hour for 24 hours.

What can I customize for my image or video?

You can add a custom frame and include a line of text.

Can my submission include more than one person?

Yes. One ticket lets you submit 1 photo or video that can include one or more people.

Does the booking get confirmed immediately?

Not until you submit your photo/video and it is approved.

What’s the meeting point?

The meeting point is 1560 Broadway, New York, NY 10036.

Is a livestream included?

Livestream availability may depend on the specific billboard assignment. Some setups may not include a livestream option.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Final Call: Should You Book This in NYC?

I’d book this if you want a one-day Times Square experience that feels genuinely personal and you’re okay spending a little time near the Pele/TKTS side to catch the screen. The best part is the repeat schedule—hourly, for 24 hours—so you’re not stuck gambling on one perfect minute.

I’d think twice if you’re hoping for a quiet, guided activity or if you’re counting on online viewing as your main way to confirm it. Plan to watch where the billboard is, double-check your submission for readability, and you’ll turn a crowded tourist zone into something that feels like your own story in lights.