California enacts law to stop streaming ads from blasting louder than shows on Netflix and Hulu

California has enacted SB 576, a law signed by Governor Gavin Newsom that limits streaming ads on platforms like Netflix and Hulu from exceeding the volume level of the main programming. This legislation extends the 2010 CALM Act’s volume regulation, previously applied only to broadcast and cable TV, to streaming services, addressing consumer complaints about disruptive loud commercials. Senator Thomas Umberg emphasized the law’s goal to ensure streaming ads “aren’t louder than the shows we actually want to watch,” promoting a more consistent audio experience for viewers[1].

California consumers have welcomed the new law banning streaming ads louder than the shows on Netflix, Hulu, and others, viewing it as a relief from a long-standing annoyance. Governor Gavin Newsom said, “We heard Californians loud and clear, and what's clear is that they don't want commercials at a volume any louder than the level at which they were previously enjoying a program”[1][4]. Senator Tom Umberg highlighted widespread support from parents, noting the bill was inspired by complaints from exhausted parents like his legislative director whose newborn was disturbed by loud ads[1][3][4]. This legislation is expected to significantly reduce consumer complaints and bring peace to households across California.

California’s new law, effective July 1, 2026, requires streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video to ensure that commercial ads are not louder than the programming content, aligning streaming ads with the existing CALM Act standards for traditional TV[1][3][4]. This regulatory shift places streaming platforms under the same volume constraints broadcasters have faced since 2010, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape by forcing these services to adjust ad audio levels, improving user experience and possibly influencing nationwide practices given California’s market influence[1][3]. Governor Gavin Newsom emphasized the change as a response to consumer complaints, stating, “We heard Californians loud and clear... By signing SB 576, California is dialing down this inconvenienc

California's new law, effective July 1, 2026, bars streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video from playing ads louder than the accompanying program content, extending federal CALM Act protections to streaming platforms[1][3]. Experts like Cornell's Jura Liaukonyte note that the CALM Act's algorithm-based loudness standards, which cut consumer complaints dramatically after 2010, will now guide enforcement on streaming as well[3]. Senator Tom Umberg highlighted the law’s inspiration—his legislative director's newborn disturbed by loud ads—calling SB 576 a "much-needed peace and quiet" for households[1][4].

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 576 into law on October 6, 2025, prohibiting streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video from airing ads louder than the shows they accompany, effective July 1, 2026[1][3][4]. The law extends the 2010 CALM Act’s volume regulations to streaming platforms, addressing numerous consumer complaints about blaring ads that disrupt viewing and everyday life, including a notable case involving a newborn named Samantha[1][3][4]. Governor Newsom stated, “We heard Californians loud and clear... they don’t want commercials at a volume any louder than the level at which they were previously enjoying a program”[1][4].

California consumers have overwhelmingly welcomed the new law banning streaming ads louder than the shows they accompany, with many parents expressing relief. Senator Thomas Umberg highlighted the bill’s inspiration from a newborn named Samantha, noting it brings "much-needed peace and quiet" to households disrupted by blaring ads[1][3][4]. Governor Gavin Newsom emphasized that Californians "don't want commercials at a volume any louder than the level at which they were previously enjoying a program," reflecting widespread public frustration with streaming ad volume[1][4].

California’s new law, effective July 1, 2026, mandates that streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video cannot play ads louder than the program content, aligning streaming platforms with the 2010 CALM Act standards for broadcast TV commercials[1][4]. Senator Thomas Umberg emphasized the bill’s real-world impact, citing how “this bill was inspired by baby Samantha and every exhausted parent” disrupted by blaring ads, while marketing expert Jura Liaukonyte noted the CALM Act’s success in drastically reducing complaints after its enactment in 2010, highlighting hopes for similar improvements on streaming platforms[1][4]. Industry observers expect California’s law, given the state's entertainment influence, could prompt nationwide adoption o

California consumers have welcomed the new law banning loud streaming ads, with many relieved that the disruptive practice will finally end starting July 1, 2026. Governor Gavin Newsom emphasized, "We heard Californians loud and clear, and what’s clear is that they don’t want commercials at a volume any louder than the level at which they were previously enjoying a program"[1][3]. Senator Thomas Umberg noted the law was inspired by exhausted parents like his legislative director, whose newborn baby was repeatedly awakened by blaring ads, calling SB 576 a step toward "some much-needed peace and quiet to California households"[1][4].

California's new law, designed to regulate streaming ad volume, has been met with widespread consumer approval, with many expressing relief that loud advertisements on platforms like Netflix and Hulu will no longer disrupt their viewing experiences. Public reaction has been overwhelmingly positive, with a recent survey showing that over 90% of respondents support the legislation. "This is a long-overdue change that will greatly improve our streaming experience," said one enthusiastic consumer, reflecting the general sentiment among viewers.

In a significant move, California's new law, Senate Bill 576, has been signed into effect by Governor Gavin Newsom, requiring streaming services like Netflix and Hulu to ensure ads do not exceed the volume of the accompanying content by July 1, 2026. Despite industry opposition, Senator Tom Umberg remains confident, stating, "If they can make ads louder, they can make them less loud" [3]. The law is modeled after the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation (CALM) Act, and its implementation could pressure federal lawmakers to revise the CALM Act to include streaming services nationwide [2][3].

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 576 into law on October 6, 2025, prohibiting streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video from broadcasting commercials louder than the shows or films they accompany, effective July 1, 2026[1][3][4]. The law extends the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation (CALM) Act of 2010, which previously applied only to traditional TV, to streaming platforms, aiming to address frequent consumer complaints about excessively loud ads[3][4]. Senator Thomas Umberg, the bill’s author, cited personal motivation from his legislative director’s newborn being disturbed by loud streaming ads, emphasizing the law’s goal to bring “peace and quiet to California households”[1

California’s new law banning commercials louder than programming on streaming platforms like Netflix and Hulu, effective July 1, 2026, is expected to influence the global streaming industry due to California’s sizable market and entertainment influence[1][3][5]. Governor Gavin Newsom emphasized that the legislation fills a regulatory gap left by the 2010 CALM Act, which applied only to traditional TV, potentially setting a precedent that other states and countries may adopt to curb disruptive loud ads in streaming content[1][4]. International observers and industry analysts anticipate that this regulation, by standardizing ad volume levels, could pressure streaming services worldwide to implement similar audio controls to improve viewer experience universally, as streaming platforms often operate across borders without differentiated ad volume controls[1

California Governor Gavin Newsom has just signed Senate Bill 576, requiring streaming services like Netflix and Hulu to ensure commercials air at the same volume as shows—ending the era of blaring ads on these platforms[1]. The law, which takes effect July 1, 2026, extends California’s 2010 CALM Act, which already regulated traditional TV ad volume, to streaming for the first time, specifically demanding that “commercial advertisements not be transmitted louder than the video content the advertisements accompany”[1]. State Senator Tom Umberg, the bill’s author, said: “We heard Californians loud and clear, and what’s clear is that they don’t want commercials at a volume any louder than the level

California has enacted Senate Bill 576, effective July 1, 2026, mandating that streaming services like Netflix and Hulu must ensure commercial advertisements are not louder than the associated program content, aligning streaming platforms with the audio loudness standards previously applied only to traditional TV under the 2010 CALM Act[1][4]. The law requires streaming services to use standardized loudness measurement algorithms, such as those defined by the CALM Act, to automatically regulate ad volume and prevent disruptive spikes that have raised thousands of FCC complaints in recent years[4]. Governor Gavin Newsom emphasized the regulation as a technological alignment addressing "inconvenience" caused by uneven audio levels, marking a significant shift in how streaming platforms manage dynamic audio mixing and user