California Enacts Law to Curb Disruptive Loud TV Commercials
California has taken decisive action against jarring commercial breaks by implementing new legislation that regulates advertisement volume across streaming platforms. The law, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on Monday, requires commercials to maintain the same volume level as the programs they interrupt.
The groundbreaking legislation addresses a long-standing consumer complaint in the United States, where viewers have frequently experienced sudden volume spikes during advertising breaks. The issue has been particularly problematic when quiet programming is interrupted by dramatically louder commercial messages.
“We heard Californians loud and clear, and what’s clear is that they don’t want commercials at a volume any louder than the level at which they were previously enjoying a program,” Governor Newsom stated following the bill’s signing.
This new regulation represents a significant update to existing broadcast standards. While previous laws only covered traditional broadcast and cable television providers, the updated legislation now extends these volume restrictions to streaming services, reflecting the evolving media landscape.
The move comes as a relief to viewers who have long been startled by abrupt volume changes, such as when peaceful programming is suddenly interrupted by high-volume advertising content. The law aims to create a more consistent viewing experience for California’s residents, who comprise the largest state population in America.
By modernizing outdated regulations, California continues its tradition of leading consumer protection initiatives in the digital age. The legislation’s implementation will require advertisers and streaming platforms to ensure their commercial content complies with these new volume standards.
Source: AFP
