Television broadcasters will be required to make sure that ads are not sent into people’s homes at a significantly higher volume level than the regularly scheduled entertainment, if a bill approved by the House of Representatives continues to move forward.
The bill came from Anna Eshoo (D-CA). According to the Associated Press, it requires commercials to be no louder than the maximum loudness of the program they are inserted into. Eshoo said that originally the bill would have imposed the requirement on broadcasters, but that in response to it introduction, broadcasters came up with the technology to make it possible.
If enacted, the FCC will be required to adopt the industry’s guidelines as official policy.
The bill passed by voice vote. There is a companion bill in the Senate awaiting action.
