California Silences Loud Streaming Ads: Peace at Last for Your Ears!

California has passed a new law to stop streaming services from playing commercials that are louder than the shows or movies people are watching. This law affects popular platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus, Apple TV Plus, HBO Max, and Prime Video. The rule says that ads must not be louder than the main content, so viewers will not be startled or annoyed by sudden loud commercials. This law builds on a federal law called the CALM Act, which was made in 2010 to keep TV and radio ads at a reasonable volume. Now, California is making sure that streaming services also follow these rules.

Governor Gavin Newsom signed the law after hearing from many Californians who were frustrated by loud ads. He said that people want commercials to be at the same volume as the programs they are watching. The law will start on July 1, 2026, and streaming services that serve people in California will have to make sure their ads are not louder than the shows. The law was inspired by a story from State Senator Thomas Umberg, who said his coworker's baby was woken up by a loud streaming ad. The Federal Communications Commission, which makes rules about TV and radio, has received thousands of complaints about loud ads, especially from streaming services.

At first, groups like the Motion Picture Association and the Streaming Innovation Alliance did not support the law. They said streaming services do not have the same control over ad volume as TV broadcasters, because ads come from different sources and devices have different settings. But the law was changed so that people cannot sue streaming services if the ads are too loud. After this change, the groups stopped opposing the law. Now, people in California can expect a quieter and more enjoyable experience when watching their favorite streaming shows and movies.