California has enacted legislation to eliminate excessively loud commercials on streaming platforms such as Netflix and Hulu. This regulation aims to enhance the viewing experience for audiences who find abrupt volume increases disruptive, especially during quiet moments in their favorite shows. Governor Gavin Newsom officially approved the law, which is set to take effect on July 1, 2026. Under the new directive, streaming services must ensure that the audio levels of commercials do not exceed the volume of the accompanying video content.
In his statement, Newsom emphasized the importance of reducing this annoyance across streaming platforms, which have previously operated outside the commercial volume regulations established by the 2010 Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation (CALM) Act. The new law aligns streaming services with these existing standards, aiming to create a more pleasant viewing environment.
State Senator Tom Umberg, who sponsored the bill, noted that the initiative was inspired by the struggles of parents trying to maintain a peaceful atmosphere for their sleeping children while navigating streaming content.
Key Points:
- New Law: Bans loud commercials on streaming services.
- Effective Date: July 1, 2026.
- Volume Compliance: Commercial audio must match or be quieter than the program’s audio.
- Inspiration: Aimed at improving viewer comfort, particularly for families.
As California continues to shape industry standards, this legislation could pave the way for similar measures in other states, addressing a common complaint shared among viewers nationwide.
