WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss) today made the following statement after an initiative he supported to stop excessively loud television ads went into effect. Because of the law, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) prescribed a standard to preclude commercials from being broadcast at louder volumes than the program material they accompany.

Senator Wicker introduced the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation (CALM) Act in 2008. After passing both the House and Senate, this directive was signed into law in 2010. Today, the FCC enacted the CALM Act.

“The rules adopted today by the FCC require commercials to have the same average volume as the programs they accompany,” said Wicker. “This is a common sense approach to a problem that plagues individuals across the nation and will create a more enjoyable television experience.  As a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, I am glad to see this legislation is now a reality.”  

The FCC adopted the CALM Act a year ago, but gave broadcasters a one-year grace period to enact them. Violations of the CALM Act can be reported to the FCC by visiting their website.

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