No more blaring commercials: California enforces volume limits on TV ads

Noisy television commercials were officially banned in California on Monday, as a new state law requires advertisers to lower their volume levels.

For years, viewers across the United States have complained that ads often blare far louder than the shows they interrupt forcing people to scramble for the remote control.

One moment, audiences might be peacefully watching a nature documentary; the next, they’re jolted by someone shouting about a miracle cure for bloating.

Under the new legislation, commercials aired in America’s most populous state must now match the volume of the program they appear alongside, ensuring a quieter and more balanced viewing experience.

“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,” Governor Gavin Newsom said after signing the bill into law.

The legislation rewrites outdated laws that only regulated broadcast and cable providers to now include streamers.