California Law Requires Streaming Ads to Match Program Volume

A California law takes effect July 1 requiring streaming platforms to keep commercial audio levels consistent with the programs they interrupt. Federal rules already impose the same standard on television broadcasters and cable operators. The new measure extends that requirement to streaming services.

Background on the Legislation Officials said the bill was introduced after a staff member reported that a loud advertisement woke a sleeping child. The same statement noted the goal of preventing commercials from startling viewers who had adjusted volume for quieter programming.

Industry groups opposed the measure. They stated that many platforms already adjust loudness for server-side ads and are developing best practices for normalizing commercial audio. The law applies only within California. It does not address dialogue levels or other audio issues within programs themselves.