US Enacts New Law Over Volume Of TV Adverts

The United States has implemented a new law regarding the volume of television acts.

The Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation act applies to all television broadcasters including cable and satellite companies. The new act means that adverts played during commercial breaks on American television can no longer be louder than the programmes they accompany. Previously adverts could be louder than the programmes but that will no longer be the case.

The new rules regarding sound levels on adverts were taken up by the FCC, Federal Communications Commission, a year ago but the industry was given a one-year grace period in preparation for the new rules. The new system will likely be monitored via complaints from viewers the FCC has suggested.

Radio broadcasters and shows on the internet remained unaffected by the new law.

Loud adverts are a common bug-bearer for television viewers on both sides of the Atlantic – another common annoyance surrounding commercial breaks is the length and frequency of them. For example the British broadcaster ITV has come under constant criticism from the press and television viewers for the number of commercial breaks in its hit period drama Downton Abbey.