FCC Ponders Over Revisions to CALM Act Regulations
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced plans to update the rules under the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation (CALM) Act, aiming to address the growing issue of excessively loud commercials on television. The CALM Act, passed by Congress 15 years ago, requires broadcasters, cable operators, and multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs) to control the loudness of commercial advertisements to prevent viewers from having to constantly adjust their TV volume.
In response to a rise in consumer complaints about loud commercials, the FCC has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) inviting consumers to share their experiences. The NPRM also seeks feedback from the television industry on potential updates to the CALM Act rules.
The proposed updates focus on improving loudness measurement and control techniques. The FCC is considering the use of standards such as ATSC A/85, ITU-R BS.1770, EBU R128, and Dolby Dialog Detection to quantify and compare apparent loudness. The Commission is also looking into implementing the most effective loudness control techniques to ensure compliance and optimizing loudness control integration into the workflow of broadcasters and other content providers.
The FCC's plans to update CALM Act rules will be voted on by the commissioners during the February 27, 2025 open meeting. The FCC's Media Bureau has opened MB Docket No. 25-72 regarding updates to the CALM Act rules.
The FCC is also seeking comments on specific areas where updates are needed to the CALM Act rules due to improvements in technology or new industry practices. The ongoing efforts suggest a refinement of technical standards and operational practices to enhance the effectiveness of the CALM Act regulations.
It is important to note that the document released by the FCC does not constitute any official action by the Commission. The FCC's proposed NPRM seeks feedback on whether the Commission's CALM Act rules and practices are effectively serving their intended purpose and asks viewers and television industry participants whether there are additional actions the Commission could take today that would support the purposes of the CALM Act.
The FCC's February Open Meeting agenda includes a revisit of the CALM Act, underscoring the Commission's commitment to addressing the issue of excessively loud commercials. The FCC's proposed updates aim to provide clearer guidance for compliance while minimizing viewer annoyance caused by sudden loud commercials. The FCC holds those who violate these rules financially liable, reinforcing the importance of meeting the loudness consistency standards mandated by the law.
[1] For more information on the financial penalties for violating the CALM Act, please refer to the FCC's Enforcement Bureau's Consumer Complaint Center at https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/calm-act-consumer-guide.
- The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced plans to update the rules under the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation (CALM) Act, focusing on improving loudness measurement and control techniques.
- The FCC is considering the use of standards such as ATSC A/85, ITU-R BS.1770, EBU R128, and Dolby Dialog Detection to quantify and compare apparent loudness.
- The Commission is also looking into implementing the most effective loudness control techniques to ensure compliance and optimizing loudness control integration into the workflow of broadcasters and other content providers.
- The FCC's plans to update CALM Act rules will be voted on by the commissioners during the February 27, 2025 open meeting, withMB Docket No. 25-72 being opened regarding updates to the CALM Act rules.
- The FCC's proposed updates aim to provide clearer guidance for compliance while minimizing viewer annoyance caused by sudden loud commercials, with those who violate these rules financially liable.
- For more information on the financial penalties for violating the CALM Act, please refer to the FCC's Enforcement Bureau's Consumer Complaint Center at https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/calm-act-consumer-guide.
