Congress Cracks Down on Loud Commercials
In the latest of a recent series of moves to control commercial volume, the House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee plans to discuss legislation that would outlaw any commercials considered "excessively noisy or strident." The Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation (CALM) was originally proposed last year by California Democratic Rep. Anna Eshoo, who said the bill was critical since ear-shredding advertisements had "endangered hearing for decades." Daily Finance also reports that the nonprofit organization Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) is working to develop voluntary standards that would enable broadcast networks to calibrate and modify volume levels individually. The standards, president Mark Richer argues, will offer "guidance to broadcasters" in how to manage the "audio loudness differential" that so many find aggravating.
We definitely get annoyed by relentlessly blaring advertisements, but we're not sure how to feel about Congress stepping in here. Aurally sensitive viewers can already purchase televisions with Dolby Volume, a feature that can blunt any meteoric spikes in volume, or SRS Tru Volume, which will function in much the same way, with the added bonus of distinguishing between commercials and regular programming.
However justified CALM may be in its intent, it may ultimately end up creating more gray area, and thereby increase courtroom traffic. It obviously depends on the exact wording of the finalized version of the bill, and how scrupulously lawmakers define terms like "strident," but we can sort of understand advertisers' dismay. Although irritating somebody -- volumetric or otherwise -- can be abrasive and downright unpleasant, it's also an effective means of getting someone to remember your brand. If it weren't, why would we still remember this guy? [From: Daily Finance and NewTeeVee]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
generalbab said 2:08PM on 10-11-2009
We don't need the government controlling this....grab the remote and turn down the sound, or change the channel. I don't need the government helping all the time. My God there is more important issues to take up...such as unemployment, tax reduction, and the deficit!!!
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EAL said 2:09AM on 10-12-2009
If YOU were deaf....you would'nt be saying that. But then again....you seem to have an unatural thing for the remote.
pasanby said 2:45PM on 10-11-2009
What next , tell us we have to color coordinate our toilet paper !
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Laura Simione said 7:38PM on 10-11-2009
guess what haters.... the congress is mostly GOP....... Live a year government free there goes the schools the libraries the postal service the FCC safe flights safe roads, no police, firemen, trash collectors, mental institutions, prisons, the military border patrol, safe foodand water you SSI
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Barbara36 said 3:54AM on 10-12-2009
I remember the advertisers whose commercials are irritatingly loud and
annoying. And what I remember best is NOT to purchase their
products. They are coming into MY house and they
are not polite or respectful as guests should be.
Barbara 36
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Julie said 8:17AM on 10-12-2009
Actually you have invited them in by turning on your television.