California Limits Loud Commercials On Streaming Platforms
A new California law, starting on Wednesday, July 1, will require streaming services to make their advertisements quieter. This rule targets commercials that are louder than the shows they accompany. State Senator Thomas Umberg sponsored the bill in 2025 because loud ads wake sleeping babies. Although the law only applies to California, streaming platforms may change their ads everywhere, especially since Illinois has passed a similar bill. Some industry groups opposed the rules because controlling volume on various devices is difficult.
A new law in California will soon make streaming advertisements much quieter for viewers. This legislation, which will take effect on Wednesday, July 1, targets loud commercials. Currently, these advertisements are often much louder than the actual shows that they accompany. If streaming services violate these rules, they might face legal consequences from the state.
Similar regulations have already existed for many years on normal broadcast and cable television. However, digital streaming platforms have not had to follow these volume limits until now. State Senator Thomas Umberg sponsored the bill in 2025 to solve this exact problem. He wanted to protect families from sudden, extremely loud noises while watching television.
Umberg explained that he was inspired by exhausted parents trying to put babies to sleep. He noted that a blaring advertisement could easily wake a sleeping child and ruin parents' work. Therefore, the senator decided to introduce this new law to address these loud commercials. Although the law only applies to California, companies might change their ads nationwide.
Additionally, Illinois has already passed a similar bill that will take effect next year. Because of these changes, streaming companies will likely update their systems for all locations. So far, the streaming services have not shared any details about their compliance plans. Tech companies have remained quiet about how they will adjust their current volume levels.
Meanwhile, some important industry groups have actively opposed the new volume restrictions in California. The Motion Picture Association of America and the Streaming Innovation Alliance protested against the bill. They argued that streamers are already working hard to resolve these volume issues. In addition, they pointed out that users watch content on many different electronic devices. Controlling volume is difficult because people use televisions, tablets, and mobile phones.
Take a position. Out loud, if you can.
Four ways to start. Pick one and try saying it before you scroll on.
Tip · Record yourself, use in a notebook, or practice with a language partner.
According to the text, how long have broadcast and cable television volume regulations existed?
Present Perfect Tense
The present perfect is used to talk about actions or situations that started in the past and continue to the present, or have relevance to the present.
“Similar regulations have already existed for many years on normal broadcast and cable television.”
What to know · B1
Try saying this aloud
Scenario: Discussing media volume options with a tech support agent.
- 01“The advertisements are much louder than the show.”
- 02“Is there a setting to normalize the volume?”
- 03“I want to adjust my audio preferences.”
Register tip · neutral
🔑Key Phrases
Important formal phrase to describe when rules start.
The tax changes will take effect on Wednesday, July 1.
Indicates a long-standing situation contrast.
Such programs have already existed for many years.
Useful phrasal verb for explaining arguments in a debate.
They pointed out that users watch content on mobile apps.
Used to describe formal opposition to legislative actions.
The Streaming Innovation Alliance protested against the bill last week.
🎙️ Article Audio — Kokoro TTS
California Limits Loud Commercials On Streaming Platforms
💬Discussion Questions
Open-ended questions to talk or write about — alone, with a partner, or in class.
- 1
What are the advantages of regulating the sound levels of digital advertisements?
Opinion - 2
How does the user experience on streaming platforms compare to traditional cable television?
Compare - 3
In what ways might this law affect the advertising industry in the coming years?
Predict - 4
Have you ever been annoyed by sudden volume changes while using technology?
Personal - 5
How should governments balance business interests with the comfort of citizens?
Evaluate - 6
Compare the challenges of regulating technology at a local level versus a national level.
Compare - 7
What tech tools do you use to control media consumption in your daily life?
Personal - 8
To what extent is this law necessary for public well-being?
Evaluate
Adapted from TechCrunch · Read the original. LectoPress rewrites the facts as original graded-reader text for language learners.
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