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CALM Act will bring relief to the ears of consumers

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree said a bill banning excessively loud television advertisements won final passage in Congress last night. The bill, the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation (CALM) Act, will prevent television advertisements from playing at a volume noticeably above the programs during which they air.

"Consumers should not have their hearing assaulted in an attempt to grab their attention," Pingree said. "Under the CALM Act, consumers will no longer have to hit the mute button because of excessively loud television ads."

Pingree voted for the bill when it passed today and had supported the CALM Act when it passed the House for the first time nearly a year ago. The bill was delayed in the Senate but finally passed there and last night's vote in the House means it goes on to President Obama, who is expected to sign it.

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 regulates sound levels and prevents overly loud commercials.

"The CALM Act is an easy fix for a tremendous nuisance and enjoys bipartisan support as well as the enthusiasm of consumers," Pingree said.