On February 27, 2025, the FCC adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking undertaking a review of the Commission’s commercial loudness rules and seeking comment on the need for updates or changes. The Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation (CALM) Act directs the FCC to require television stations and multichannel video programming providers (MVPDs), e.g., cable and satellite television companies, to ensure that all commercials are transmitted to consumers at an appropriate loudness level determined by an industry standard.
For people with disabilities, the FCC notes that loudness and audio degradation may be a particular problem in streamed television shows and movies. The FCC thus seeks comment from consumers about their ability to hear and understand dialogue in streamed shows and movies and whether audio degradation particularly affects those with disabilities. The FCC also welcomes comment on the causes of this audio degradation and on the FCC’s authority under the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA) to act on these issues.
The comment due dates will be announced when available.
Link to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking:
https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-proposes-update-commercial-loudness-rules
More information about the CALM Act is available at: https://www.fcc.gov/enforcement/areas/sound-volume-commercials-calm-act, and more information about the CVAA is available at: www.fcc.gov/cvaa. For specific questions, please contact Evan Baranoff, Media Bureau, Policy Division, at (202) 418-2120 or Evan.Baranoff@fcc.gov. Individuals who use videophones and are fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) may call the FCC’s ASL Consumer Support Line at (844) 432-2275 (videophone).