California has officially banned noisy television commercials under a new law signed on Monday, requiring advertisers to match the volume of their ads with that of the programs they interrupt.
For years, viewers across the United States have complained that commercials often blast at much higher volumes than the shows they are watching — forcing many to reach for their remotes during breaks.
Governor Gavin Newsom, who signed the bill into law, said the measure responds directly to widespread public frustration.
“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,” Newsom stated.
The new legislation updates older regulations that applied only to broadcast and cable networks, expanding the rules to cover digital and streaming platforms as well.
