tech
Streaming services’ obnoxiously loud ads become illegal on July 1 in California
Illinois passed a similar law, giving services more incentive to make ads less booming.
TL;DR
- California's SB 576, signed in October 2025, prohibits streaming services from playing ads louder than their content, effective July 1st.
- This law aligns streaming platforms with broadcast, cable, and satellite providers, which are regulated by the CALM Act.
- Streaming providers will need to integrate loudness control into their ad insertion workflows.
- The Motion Picture Association and the Streaming Innovation Alliance opposed the bill, citing technical complexities.
- Illinois passed a similar law, with requirements taking effect by July 1, 2027.
- The FCC received numerous complaints about loud commercials from traditional TV viewers in recent years.