Lawmakers put stop to loud commercials

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) -- Blaring advertisements that are much louder than the show you're watching are now a thing of the past, all thanks to Rhode Island's junior senator.

The Commercial Advertisements Loudness Mitigation Act, also known as the "Calm Act" went into effect Thursday, turning down the volume on loud commercials.

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse was one of two lawmakers that lobbied for its passage.

The passing of the act means that viewers will no longer have to quickly reach for the mute button on your remote while watching your favorite shows. The new law requires broadcast, cable, satellite, and other video providers to keep the volume of commercials at a level consistent with regular programming.

The bill was first introduced by a California congresswoman back in 2008. Sen. Whitehouse followed up with a companion bill that was signed into law last year by President Obama.

"It is one less nuisance, one less annoyance for regular Americans in their regular lives, and I am very glad to have joined with Anna to have quieted the world a little bit for our fellow Americans," said Whitehouse.

According to a 2009 poll, almost 90 percent of TV viewers were bothered by high commercial volumes, prompting 80 percent of them to either turn down the volume mute the television, or change the channel altogether.

Prior to the legislation being filed, the FCC recommended consumers mute commercials if they found them to be excessively loud.