Even the Super Bowl is taking a hit from the down economy.

The big game is still the most expensive time on television, with the cost of a single spot quadrupling in the past 20 years, but the average cost of a Super Bowl spot is expected to be down this year compared to last, according to new figures from TNS Media.

CBS is reportedly charging between $2.5 million and $2.8 million for a 30-second ad during the game, TNS said. That’s down from the $3 million that NBC fetched in 2009.

The price of a Super Bowl spot can vary depending on where it is in the game and whether it is part of a package deal, among other factors. CBS insists that the pace of ad sales is on par or better than last year and that it hasn’t had to cut prices.