Loud Commercial Rules Became Effective December 13, 2012
NEWS
Federal Communications Commission
News Media Information 202 / 418-0500
445 12th Street, S.W.Internet: http://www.fcc.gov
Washington, D. C. 20554
TTY: 1-888-835-5322
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.
See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
December 13, 2012Janice Wise (202) 418-8165
Email: janice.wise@fcc.gov
CALM ACT RULES TAKE EFFECT TODAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012
Washington, D.C. – The Federal Communications Commission’s rules on loud television commercialstake effect today. The rules implement the 2010 Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act
(the CALM Act) in which Congress gave the Commission authority to address the problem of excessive
commercial loudness. The rules were adopted on December 13, 2011 and, as directed by the Act, take
effect one year after adoption, or December 13, 2012.
Specifically, the FCC’s new rules require TV stations, cable operators, satellite TV providers, and other
pay TV providers to limit a commercial’s average volume to the same average volume as the
programming it accompanies. A commercial may have louder and quieter moments, but overall it should
be no louder than surrounding programming.
Consumers can report commercials that seem louder than the programming they accompany to the FCC.
The Commission has developed a special Loud Commercial online complaint form (Form 2000G) for this
purpose. It can be found at http://esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm. Consumers can also file their
complaint with the FCC’s Consumer Call Center at 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) (voice) or 1-
888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) (TTY). Information derived from complaints will assist the
Commission in enforcing its rules.
For further information, contact Evan Baranoff (202-418-2120; evan.baranoff@fcc.gov). Press contact:
Janice Wise (202-418-8165; janice.wise@fcc.gov).
-FCC-
For news and information about the FCC, please visit: www.fcc.gov
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