Eardrum-Bursting TV Commercials May Soon Be Only An Obnoxious Memory

The Federal Communications Commission has adopted rules implementing a new law – the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act, or CALM Act – designed to put an end to obnoxiously loud television commercials. The FCC regulations require TV broadcasters and pay-TV operators to put in place a "best practices" technical standard that was created by a nonprofit TV standards-making body known as the Advanced Television Systems Committee (or ATSC A/85). Eventually, the regs will require testing of all TV commercials to make sure the volume doesn't suddenly surge when ads come on the air. Broadcasters could face FCC action if the commission finds a pattern and practice of violating the rules.