Shhhh! California bans noisy TV commercials

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) – California has taken a decisive step to address a long-standing grievance of television viewers by enacting a new law that prohibits excessively loud commercials. Effective immediately, advertisements aired in the state must not exceed the volume of the programming they interrupt. This legislation marks a significant update to outdated regulations, extending its scope beyond traditional broadcast and cable providers to include streaming services. Governor Gavin Newsom emphasized the public’s demand for this change, stating, ‘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.’ The law aims to enhance the viewing experience by eliminating the jarring transition from serene programming to blaring advertisements, a common frustration for audiences nationwide.