California has passed a new law banning streaming services from airing commercials louder than the show or movie being watched. Starting July 2026, platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, and YouTube must keep ad volumes consistent with content volume.
The law, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, responds to many complaints about loud ads disturbing viewers, including exhausted parents who had difficulty putting babies to sleep due to sudden volume spikes during commercials. Senate Bill 576, introduced by Senator Tom Umberg, builds on the 2010 federal CALM Act that applies only to TV broadcasters and cable but did not cover streaming platforms.
California’s legislation is expected to set a national example because of its influence in the entertainment industry. Governor Newsom emphasized that Californians want commercials at no higher volume than their shows and the new law will reduce this common streaming annoyance.
The law’s enforcement is handled by the state attorney general, and streaming services have until next summer to comply with the volume requirements, ensuring a quieter, less disruptive viewing experience for users across the state.
This move marks a significant step in addressing the long-standing issue of noisy ads in the streaming era.