Dec 13, 2012: no more excessively loud commercials

[Atomic Playboy]

Does it apply to VOD content as well? The only commercial I've ever experienced as being "too loud" is the Mercedes commercial that runs when I start an episode of Top Gear on the BBC America on-demand through Comcast. My receiver is generally in the 50-55 range for comfortable TV viewing, and I have to dial it down to 30 for that commercial to make it the same level as everything else. It's not even a particularly loud commercial, it's just some jackass set it to +20db for no apparent reason. It's absurd. If I had just come from watching a movie at 65 or so, it would probably blow out my speakers.

Outside of that, I've never experienced a commercial that was "too loud," so I have absolutely no idea what that means.

 

[1prophet]

My only argument to this is simply: Where does it stop?

We already regulate what is right and wrong - with things like not allowing smoking commercials. I don't smoke and think it's disgusting - but I just don't like the concept of government telling people and their business what they can and can't advertise.

I'm fairly sure most remote controls have a mute button. But nevertheless, I guess it's not a big deal either.

Cigarette companies still promote smoking on TV, it's called a movie or made for TV show with everyone's favorite actor/actress taking a puff while trying to look cool doing it.

 

[Slew Foot]

finally, the government does something that isnt retarded.


im going to guess that if commercials have to be the same volume as the show, the last second of the show before the break will be really loud.

 

[Thump553]

So we originally got a law stating that stations couldn't make commercials loud. So Cable providers said ok, we will just make the show quieter.

I hope this new law works, but I am just wondering how long it will take for the cable companies to find a way around it.

Also, I find it interesting that a .uk site is where one finds this American news story. Does this affect them in any way?

The CALM law regulates the relative volume of the commercials, not the absolute volume. Any of us with elderly relatives know that any TV show can be played at Who concert volume.

Looking forward to testing this out on TBS or FX next time either has a watchable movie on. IMO both were prime offendors-they'd turn the volume way down on the main show, leave it at normal (compared to other stations) for the commercials-so a commercial would blast you out of your chair.

 

[ivwshane]

Nice! I was wondering when it was actually going to go into practice.

 

[werepossum]

It's a ridiculous and unnecessary government intrusion into the private sector and thank G-d they finally passed it! Loud commercials are probably the number one reason I switch channels or just turn it off.

 

[Fern]

I'm a small government kinda guy, but that doesn't mean that I don't think government has its place. I'm glad this passed.

^^This^^

Hopefully it means I don't need to sit around anymore with my remote to lower volume when a commercial comes on.

Fern

 

[Bowfinger]

My only argument to this is simply: Where does it stop?

We already regulate what is right and wrong - with things like not allowing smoking commercials. I don't smoke and think it's disgusting - but I just don't like the concept of government telling people and their business what they can and can't advertise.

I'm fairly sure most remote controls have a mute button. But nevertheless, I guess it's not a big deal either.

Apples and oranges. This law is setting a technical standard, not regulating content.

I am curious to see if this will have any material affect on the bottom line of these networks. Advertisers increase the volume on their commercials (usually by heavily compressing them) in spite of knowing full well this annoys viewers because these advertisers have found it effective. In other words, they crank the volume because people pay more attention to their ads. By setting this new requirement, presumably TV advertising will now be somewhat less effective ... and therefore somewhat less valued. I wonder if networks will thus see some drop in ad revenue.

 

[Doppel]

I would hope HULU is included in "other multichannel video provider outlets".. They are by FAR the worst offender of this.

That kind of rings a bell, I think Hulu's ads are fuck-my-ears loud, actually.

It's true I don't listen to many commercials these days due to DVR, but still.

I am curious to see if this will have any material affect on the bottom line of these networks. Advertisers increase the volume on their commercials (usually by heavily compressing them) in spite of knowing full well this annoys viewers because these advertisers have found it effective. In other words, they crank the volume because people pay more attention to their ads. By setting this new requirement, presumably TV advertising will now be somewhat less effective ... and therefore somewhat less valued. I wonder if networks will thus see some drop in ad revenue.

This analysis is sound AFAIK and I imagine it will depress effectiveness. Probably to a small degree, and in any case, fuck them.