FCC approves rules to lower volume on TV commercials
updated 04:35 am EST, Wed December 14, 2011
FCC to regulate TV commercial volumes
The FCC approved new rules on Tuesday that will require cable and TV stations to reduce the volume of louder commercials to the same level as normal TV shows. The rules will take effect this time next year, giving TV channels and marketing agencies time to get their house in order before they may be subject to penalties. Broadcasters will have to run checks on their channels and the commercials running on them to ensure that they comply with the new guidelines.
"This is an issue people care about. My wife has wondered for years when we were going to do something about this," said FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski during a meeting Tuesday. "Bottom line, the FCC is quieting a persistent problem of the TV age, or loud commercials."
Smaller cable providers will also need to ensure that ad volumes remain inline with the new rules, but they won’t be subject to having to monitor their broadcast content quite as much. Although some of the regulations will be in place for a limited duration, the FCC said that it would continue to monitor the issue.
Congress passed the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act (CALM Act) in September 2010 giving the FCC power to investigate the matter and instigate official regulations. [via Wall Street Journal]
