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AI Engineering
Hacker News·Jun 27·5 min read
Streaming services' obnoxiously loud ads become illegal on July 1 in California
TL;DR
Loud advertisements on streaming services have been a nuisance for viewers, prompting legislative action. California's new law, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, prohibits ads from being louder than the accompanying content.
✦ Why It Matters
Engineers should anticipate changes in ad volume management systems for compliance with new regulations.
Key Takeaways
- Monitor ad volume levels for compliance with new laws.
- Implement location-based volume adjustments for ads.
- Stay updated on similar regulations in other states.
- Enhance user experience by reducing ad loudness.
Full Summary
For years, viewers have complained about the excessive volume of advertisements on streaming platforms, which disrupts the viewing experience. In response, California has enacted a law (SB 576) that prohibits video streaming services from broadcasting ads at a volume higher than the content they accompany, effective July 1, 2025.
This law aims to create consistency with the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation (CALM) Act, which already regulates the volume of commercials on broadcast and cable TV. While specific compliance strategies from streaming services remain unclear, they may implement volume adjustments based on user location.
Additionally, a similar law in Illinois will require compliance by July 1, 2027, further incentivizing streaming platforms to standardize ad volumes across the U.S. This legislative shift is expected to improve user satisfaction and could lead to broader changes in advertising practices across the industry.