Television commercials must now air at the same volume level as TV programs, under a new federal law that’s finally gone into effect.

Two years ago, Congress adopted the CALM Act (Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act), which limited the volume of TV commercials.

But before the law could force networks to alter sound levels on TV ads, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) had to adopt rules implementing the mandate. The FCC completed its task in 2011, but gave broadcasters and cable operators another year to get into compliance with the new sound standards.

Representative Anna Eshoo (D-California), who first introduced the bill in 2008, told the media this week that the change “has been a top consumer complaint for decades. I never dreamed that this would strike the chord that it did with the American public.”

-Noel Brinkerhoff

To Learn More:

CALM Act: Reducing TV Commercial Volume Was A Feat (by Meg James, Los Angeles Times)

Federal Rule Aims To Keep TV Commercials At Same Volume As Programs (by Paul Courson, CNN)

FCC Moves to Lower Decibel Level of TV Commercials (by Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov)