Shhhh! California Bans Noisy TV Commercials

California has introduced a new law banning excessively loud TV commercials, requiring advertisers to turn down the volume to match that of the programming they interrupt. The legislation came into effect on Monday.

Viewers across the United States have long complained about the sudden surge in volume during advertisements. It is a common annoyance: one moment watching a peaceful nature documentary, the next scrambling for the remote as a booming voice promotes a product, such as a flatulence remedy.

The new law aims to end this disruptive practice by ensuring that commercials cannot exceed the volume of the programme they accompany.

Governor Gavin Newsom, after signing the bill into law, stated: “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 programme.”

The law updates outdated regulations that previously applied only to traditional broadcast and cable providers. It now also covers streaming platforms, ensuring that modern viewers experience consistent sound levels across all media.

Key Points

This legislation is seen as a major step in consumer-friendly broadcasting, reflecting the state’s responsiveness to long-standing complaints from TV viewers.