[sbe104_toledo] CALM ACT
- From: "Steve Pietras" <Steve.Pietras@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <sbe104_toledo@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 3 Dec 2010 13:37:05 -0500
From TV Technology
On Thursday, Congress passed the CALM Act, a bill that requires
broadcasters to regulate the volume on television commercials.
The bill, which was introduced by Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) in 2009 was
passed by the House of Representatives. The Senate approved
<http://www.tvtechnology.com/article/107222> the act in September, but
differences between the two bills had to be reconciled before coming to
a final vote. President Obama is expected to sign the bill into law.
The law will require television broadcasters and advertisers to adopt
technology <http://www.tvtechnology.com/article/107752> that would
modulate sound levels and prevent overly loud commercials within one
year of enactment. In 2009, the television standards organization ATSC
adopted <http://www.tvtechnology.com/article/89692> best practices for
broadcast commercial volume, which will be the standard by which the FCC
will monitor compliance.
Rep. Eshoo claimed that overly loud television commercials were among
the biggest issues about which her constituents complained. "Consumers
have been asking for a solution to this problem for decades, and today
they finally have it." Rep. Eshoo said. "The CALM Act gives consumers
peace of mind, because it puts them in control of the sound in their
homes. TV programs use a variety of sound levels to build dramatic
effect. But advertisements have been neither subtle nor nuanced. My bill
reduces commercial volume, allowing them to only be as loud as the
decibel level of regular programming. Consumers will no longer have to
experience being blasted at. It's a simple fix to a huge nuisance."
Loud television commercials have been listed as a top consumer complain
in 221 of the FCC's last 25 quarterly reports; the commission currently
recommends listeners "mute" overly loud commercials.
Steve Pietras
Chief Engineer
WUPW
419-244-3600 Ex 205
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