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CALM Modernization Act of 2023
12/15/2023, 4:07 PM
Summary of Bill S 1127
The CALM Act was designed to regulate the volume of television commercials, ensuring that they are not significantly louder than the programs they accompany. The CALM Modernization Act of 2023 seeks to build upon the original legislation by addressing new technologies and platforms, such as streaming services and online video content.
Some key provisions of the CALM Modernization Act include requiring streaming services to comply with volume regulations, expanding the definition of "commercial advertisement" to include online video content, and establishing a process for consumers to report violations of the volume regulations. Overall, the goal of the CALM Modernization Act of 2023 is to ensure that viewers are not subjected to excessively loud commercials, regardless of the platform on which they are watching content. This bill aims to bring the CALM Act up to date with the current media landscape and provide consumers with a more consistent and enjoyable viewing experience.
Congressional Summary of S 1127
Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Modernization Act of 2023 or the CALM Modernization Act of 2023
This bill applies certain requirements for moderating the volume of commercials to video streaming services that are supported by advertisements (e.g., Hulu). It also modifies enforcement of those requirements.
Current law requires commercials transmitted via broadcast, cable, and satellite television to have the same average volume as the underlying programming. Under this bill, the Federal Communications Commission must apply through rulemaking similar requirements to ad-supported video streaming services.
The bill also modifies enforcement of requirements for moderating the volume of commercials. The commission currently uses a complaint-driven enforcement process. Under this bill, the commission must treat violations of the requirements as violations of the Communications Act of 1934. Additionally, the bill makes rebuttable a presumption that deems a broadcast television station, cable operator, or other multichannel video programming distributor in compliance with the requirements if it appropriately installs and uses certain equipment and software to moderate the volume of commercials.
The Government Accountability Office must report on the effectiveness of the requirements, and the commission's enforcement of them, in moderating the volume of commercials.
