Support the fact-based journalism you rely on with a donation to Marketplace today. Give Now!
Codebreaker

US Senate brings real change to America: sets volume limits on TV commercials

John Moe Oct 1, 2010
Codebreaker

US Senate brings real change to America: sets volume limits on TV commercials

John Moe Oct 1, 2010

In a bill that makes total sense yet for some reason took decades to even come to a vote, the Senate passed a bill that will require television commercials to play at the same volume as the shows they interrupt. The Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act (CALM) (get it?) originally passed the House in December of last year and will need to go back there one last time before going to the president’s desk. As part of the bill, the FCC will have to devise regulation that aligns with international standards for digital tv, and if broadcasters or other video content providers can prove those new FCC regs are bad for them, they’ll be able to apply for a waiver and keep the commercials they’ve got loud. The bill was opposed by the United Federation of Monster Truck Show Marketers. (not really).

There’s a lot happening in the world.  Through it all, Marketplace is here for you. 

You rely on Marketplace to break down the world’s events and tell you how it affects you in a fact-based, approachable way. We rely on your financial support to keep making that possible. 

Your donation today powers the independent journalism that you rely on. For just $5/month, you can help sustain Marketplace so we can keep reporting on the things that matter to you.