CALM Act Update?

Legislation has been introduced in the US Senate to update the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation (CALM) Act that was originally adopted a decade ago and implemented by the FCC to stop loud commercials during video programming.

As proposed, the new legislation would increase the FCC’s enforcement powers, potentially eliminating the liability protection that TV broadcasters currently enjoy through using certain technology to prevent loud commercials.  In addition, the legislation would extend compliance requirements to streaming video providers.  Currently, the rules only apply to TV stations and Cable operators.

This legislation bears close watching by TV stations that use technology to control loud commercials, video content providers that stream programming, or Public Interest Obligation DBS Channel content providers who must periodically certify to their CALM Act and FCC Rule compliance.