Streaming Services Face Volume Regulations Following California Ruling
SACRAMENTO,CA – A new law passed in California is poised to reshape the advertising landscape for streaming services like Netflix,Prime Video,and Disney+,prohibiting commercials from being broadcast at a louder volume than the content they interrupt. Governor Gavin Newsom signed the legislation into law, addressing a long-standing frustration for viewers who often find advertisements jarringly louder than the shows and films they are watching.
The law, effective July 1, 2026, aims to standardize audio levels between programming and advertising. “We heard Californians loud and clear, and what’s clear is that they don’t want commercials at a volume any louder than the level at which they were previously enjoying a program,” Newsom stated, according to the BBC.
The issue of disproportionately loud commercials has been a common complaint on both streaming platforms and customary broadcast television, with advertisers historically leveraging higher volumes to capture audience attention. While some television sets offer features to automatically adjust advertising volume, many do not.
The California ruling could have global implications, potentially prompting other regions to consider similar legislation and forcing streaming services to implement technologies to ensure consistent audio output across all content. This change comes as streaming services increasingly rely on advertising-supported tiers to attract subscribers.
