Time for CALM: Congress Acts Against Loud Television Ads

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One common spousal skirmish is receiving a helping hand from the government. (Via Ars Technica)

You and your partner are in the midst of that movie that, for one of you, seems like it will never end. Just when the temporary escape of a commercial arrives, yelling ensues. The volume has spiked to unbearable levels. Then, when the film returns, the next accusation emerges — what possessed you to lower the volume that much?

Thanks to the House’s passage of the CALM Act on Thursday, everyone can calm down. Piloted by California Rep. Anna Eshoo, the bill grants the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) agency to enforce that a commercial’s volume level parallels the television show playing during its allotted times. Ars Technica notes that this issue has been paramount over several years, placing at the top of the complaint list in 21 of the FCC’s last 25 quarterly memos.

The Wall Street Journal adds that unlike some issues in Washington, this bill picked up supportive traction from both houses relatively quickly. Leave it to the remote to inspire a bipartisan initiative.