A California law forces broadcasters to turn down the volume on loud commercials
Fox Business’ Kelly Saberi reports on California’s proposed wealth tax, with supporters offering to lower the rate from 5% to 2%. Gov. Gavin Newsom rejected any wealth tax, citing concerns about the withdrawal of public services.
California viewers fed up with broadcast ads may soon get some relief.
Starting this Wednesday, July 1, streaming platforms serving California consumers will be prohibited from running ads at a higher volume than games, movies or other video content that disturbs you.
The bill, SB 576, was signed into law last October by Gov. Gavin Newsom also extended a longstanding rule of television into the broadcast era.
Federal law already requires broadcast and cable television commercials to match the volume rating of their accompanying program under the 2010 Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act.
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A person uses a remote control while browsing streaming services, as California prohibits the platforms from playing ads higher than the program it disturbs. (Stock)
Newsom’s office relayed to FOX Business the governor’s October 2025 release announcing the bill’s signing.
“We heard Californians speak loudly, and what’s clear is that they don’t want any more loud ads than they’ve been enjoying before,” Newsom said at the time.
“By signing SB 576, California is dialing down these restrictions on all broadcast platforms, which were previously exempt from the commercial volume rules passed by Congress in 2010.”
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The Los Angeles skyline can be seen here. California’s new streaming volume law will apply to platforms serving viewers in the state starting July 1, 2026. (Stock)
The bill was endorsed by Democratic Alliance state Sen. Tom Umberg, who said the measure grew out of common frustration in many families as commercials blast shows and wake up sleeping children.
“This bill was inspired by Samantha’s baby and every tired parent who’s got a baby to sleep, but there was an ad that did all that hard work,” Umberg said.
“SB 576 brings much-needed peace and quiet to California homes by ensuring that broadcast ads are no louder than the shows we want to watch.”
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California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during an event on March 15, 2026. Newsom signed a bill last year that requires streaming services to keep ad volume consistent with shows, movies and other programming. (Julia Beverly/WireImage/Getty Images)
The move comes as broadcast platforms increasingly rely on ad-supported subscription programs to attract viewers while boosting advertising revenue.
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Groups including the Motion Picture Association and the Streaming Innovation Alliance opposed the bill, saying many platforms were already working on ways to normalize ad volume, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The Motion Picture Association and the Streaming Innovation Alliance could not immediately be reached by FOX Business for comment.
