FCC Receives Thousands of Complaints About Loud TV Commercials
- The FCC has received thousands of complaints about loud TV commercials
- The CALM Act requires TV stations and providers to ensure commercials have the same average volume as accompanying programs
- The FCC is reexamining its rules and seeking public comment on the effectiveness of the CALM Act
- Some advertisers may be exploiting loopholes in the CALM Act by making commercials very loud at the start
- The FCC is considering revising its rules or implementing new measures to better regulate commercial volume
Background on the CALM Act
The Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation (CALM) Act was passed in 2010 and took effect in December 2012. The law aims to reduce the volume of TV commercials, which were often significantly louder than the programs they accompanied. The FCC requires broadcast, cable, and satellite TV providers to follow the Advanced Television Systems Committee's (ATSC) recommended practices for controlling commercial volume.
Despite the regulations, the FCC has seen a recent surge in complaints about loud commercials. In 2022, the agency received approximately 750 complaints, followed by 825 in 2023, and at least 1,700 in 2024. This increase has prompted the FCC to reexamine its rules and seek public comment on the effectiveness of the CALM Act.
Possible Loopholes in the CALM Act
Some advertisers may be exploiting loopholes in the CALM Act by making commercials very loud at the start, then quieting down for the rest of the ad. This tactic can still startle viewers, even if the overall average volume of the commercial is within the allowed limits.
The FCC is seeking input from consumers and industry stakeholders on how to address these issues and improve the effectiveness of the CALM Act. The agency may consider revising its rules or implementing new measures to better regulate commercial volume.