California Bans Loud Ads on Streaming Platforms

Are you tired of those obnoxiously loud ads interrupting your streaming experience? Well, California has your back! A new law in the Golden State is making sure that ads can no longer be louder than the show or movie you’re watching. It’s all part of an effort to bring the volume down to a more manageable level, following in the footsteps of a federal law that already regulates ad volume on broadcast TV and cable stations.

This is great news for all of us who have been startled by those sudden bursts of sound during our favorite shows. And with California being home to major streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video, this law will have a big impact on the way we consume entertainment.

The law, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, is an extension of the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation (CALM) Act passed by Congress in 2010. This new legislation aims to ensure that ads on streaming services comply with the federal regulations set in place a decade ago.

So, starting July 1, 2026, streaming services in California will be prohibited from blasting us with ads that are louder than the content we’re actually trying to enjoy. It’s a win for viewers everywhere, inspired by real-life experiences like baby Samantha, who was rudely awakened by a loud ad while trying to catch some Z’s.

Initially, there was pushback from industry groups like the Motion Picture Association and the Streaming Innovation Alliance, who argued that controlling ad volume on streaming services is more complex than on traditional TV platforms. However, with some tweaks to the bill, these groups have now taken a neutral stance, ensuring that the law can move forward without any legal challenges.

In the end, it’s a victory for all of us who just want to watch our shows in peace, without having our eardrums assaulted by overly loud commercials. So get ready to enjoy a more harmonious streaming experience, thanks to California’s new advertising regulations.