Not Anymore—-California Turns Down the Volume on Streaming Commercials
California is taking aim at one of the most irritating parts of modern streaming: commercials that suddenly blast louder than the show, movie, or live event viewers are watching. Beginning July 1, a new state law, SB 576, bars streaming platforms from transmitting advertisements at a higher volume than the video content they accompany. (Fox Business)
The law extends the spirit of the federal Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act, better known as the CALM Act, which has applied to broadcast television and cable operators for years. Streaming services, however, had largely escaped those rules, even as more households cut the cord and moved their viewing habits online. (The Guardian)
Supporters say the measure is basic consumer protection: Californians should not have to keep a remote in hand just to survive a commercial break. Whether watching Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, Amazon Prime, or another ad-supported platform, viewers can now expect commercials to stay in line with the volume of the programming they interrupt.
The law will not eliminate streaming ads or stop subscription price hikes, but it does address a common household frustration. For California consumers, the promise is simple: fewer jarring volume spikes, less scrambling for the mute button, and a quieter streaming experience.
