Loud TV commercials may be coming to an end
Filed under: Extracurriculars, Home, Technology
We've probably all had the experience of relaxing while quietly watching a movie, only to be blasted off the couch when a commercial message for life insurance or a male enhancement product came on at three times the decibel level of the movie we were watching. It's absolutely maddening, and it's happened to me more times than I care to think about.The way things stand right now, broadcasters are allowed to air commercial messages at a volume equal to the peak volume of the program during which they play. That means if the program you're watching has one bomb blast or just one blood curdling scream, all the commercials during that program may blast and scream at that same sound threshold.
I had always though that perhaps some advertisers paid a small premium to have their commercials air at a higher volume. Now I know that it's simply carelessness on the part of broadcasters.
The good news is that the days of obnoxious commercial volume may soon be coming to an end. A coalition of government regulators, broadcasting overseers, and advertising executives are coming together to create a resolution for the offensive situation.
Broadcasters and advertising representatives would like government to stay away from regulating commercial volume, but they also concede that something must change.
Dan Jaffe, executive vice president of the Association of National Advertisers told McClatchy Newspapers that advertisers and broadcasters want a commercial which is "loud enough that a reasonable person can hear it, but not so loud you can hear it in Mongolia."
Personally, I'd be happy with a level of volume which will simply keep my popcorn in its bowl and the bowl on my lap.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 11)
6-12-2009 @ 5:15PM
Cara said...
Ive noticed recently that all the cable channels have their commercials on at the same time. Used to be able to flip to another station during commercials, but not you just find another commercial.
Reply
6-15-2009 @ 3:31PM
Don R. Fussell said...
U R absolutely right! Here in Jacksonville, FL, even the local stations do the exact same thing. All local news begins with local news, ads, brief weather, ads more news, ads then finally sports & more ads. When I say "ads" there's 5 or 6 each time, back-to-back!. No matter which channel U go to, it's the same. I feel Comcast Cable should pay ME monthly to watch/endure this misery!!
6-15-2009 @ 4:13PM
Cathy said...
I agree with that, I have noticed that too! Now I just mute the commercials and ignore them completely!
6-15-2009 @ 6:25PM
Artie said...
In the 80's everyone started signing up to buy cable programming to avoid commericals and to have 24/7 programming. Now we're paying for commercials and infomercials plus we're paying more for cable! Consumers are getting screwed by the cable companies!
6-15-2009 @ 6:54PM
skitz630 said...
I mute commercials too! My stress/annoyance level has decreased incredibly since I started doing it.
6-15-2009 @ 7:54PM
f00638 said...
I am sure this will help the economy too - NOT!
6-12-2009 @ 6:27PM
DIANN senick said...
Thank heavens someone is doing something about loud commercials, there is one that I just turn my tv off and forget the program i was watching, and yes he has a black trimmed beard and a voice that grates on every last nerve. thank you
Reply
6-15-2009 @ 3:04PM
Jay Doolittle said...
Yes, Diann, I echo your sentiments and do the same when Billy Mays comes roaring on with his latest spiel. [I know that's who
you're referring to.]
6-15-2009 @ 3:00PM
Felicia said...
That guy is probably the most annoying thing on t.v. His voice sounds the same on every product that he sells. I even saw him once selling either burial or life insurance... I couldn't believe it.
6-15-2009 @ 4:09PM
Kathryn said...
Amen! I immediately mute the TV the moment a commercial comes on [we've seen them a jillion times anyway] and read from a book. I get a lot of reading done that way that I wouldn't get to otherwise. My TV viewing is mostly news while eating a meal. Great believer in killing several birds with one stone. ;)
6-15-2009 @ 6:48PM
Vivian said...
At last! A compatriot! I wholehartedly agree.
6-15-2009 @ 7:11PM
PeopleSmoks said...
This is great news! Now if that credit report company would get rid of that annoying singer they use!
6-12-2009 @ 6:57PM
Samantha said...
That's why some tv manufacturers have added a feature that allows you to keep the volume even, no matter the display. But let's also consider that there is little consistency between the various broadcast channels these days....KNBC is barely audible, yet KCAL, at the same volume level, is loud. It's not just the commercials that are out of sync, it's the broadcast channels in general, as well.
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6-15-2009 @ 3:32PM
Don R. Fussell said...
I did not know any TV Manufacturer has a means to level all sound to the level you wish to set. PLEASE tell me whose these manufacturers are ASAP! I'm about to buy a new HD TV & I sure want one that has this feature. I wear out my Remote Control Volume Up/Down buttons trying to keep the sound adjusted. Thanks! Plese reply to: drf1499@yahoo.com or drf1499@aol.com
6-15-2009 @ 4:25PM
Lisa said...
I've set my tvs to lower the commercial's volume, but it has NEVER worked. The commercials are STILL really loud. This is the best news I've heard all day. I hope this starts soon.. my ears have had enough!
7-10-2009 @ 9:23AM
Richard said...
Right on Samantha. It not only the commericals volume that need to be fixed, also the channels volume. The technology is available to watch tv, without have to keep reaching for you remote control to change the volume. Cable and sattelite should use the technology for the high prices we are paying.
6-15-2009 @ 6:18PM
Michelle, NY said...
I thought my Sony Bravia had that function. But even when selected, the commercials remain at a higher volume and cause problems when viewing TV after 11 pm when living in a dweling with neighbors.
6-15-2009 @ 7:38PM
Tonie said...
I bought one of those TV's and it worked for a little while but now the commercials are just as obnoxious so i just TIVO my favorites and skip past the problem.
6-12-2009 @ 9:35PM
Barb said...
I wrote the FCC begging them to step in and force programming to be delivered at a normal volume level....but one voice in a sea of millions is never heard. C;mon folks....we pay for tv viewing, how about demanding decent volume on commercials. While you're at it, reduce the size of logos at the corner of the screen during programming advertising the next show. Give me a break, please.
Englewood, Fl.
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6-15-2009 @ 3:50PM
person said...
I totally agree with what Barb said about the logos and ads for upcoming programming along the bottom of the screen- I was watching a program with subtitles the other day and the stupid ads completely covered them up! Arrg! WTF!?