Eshoo Passes Bill to End Loud TV Ads

December 15, 2009
Press Release
Washington, D.C. - Blaring television advertisements took another step toward extinction today when the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1084, the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation (CALM) Act, by a voice vote. The bill will prevent television advertisements from playing at a volume noticeably above the programs during which they air. Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (D-Palo Alto) drafted the bipartisan bill and shepherded it through the House.

"This problem has existed for more than 50 years, but no one has properly addressed it," Rep. Eshoo said. "Under the CALM Act, consumers will no longer have to dive for the mute button."

Loud commercials have been at the top of consumer complaints to the FCC for decades. Current official FCC policy recommends that consumers "mute" commercials if they find them excessively strident. Under the CALM Act, advertisers will have one year to adopt industry technology which modulates sound levels and prevents overly loud commercials.

"It's been a singular pleasure working on this legislation. The CALM Act is an easy fix for a tremendous nuisance. In my 17 years in the House of Representatives, I've never carried a bill which has been received with so much enthusiasm by people across the country," Rep. Eshoo said.

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) introduced companion legislation in the Senate on December 8, 2009.

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