Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
www.crtc.gc.ca
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Loud TV commercials
Sometimes when you’re watching TV, a loud commercial message can really startle you.
This is about to change. Starting in September 2012, broadcasters and television service providers will have to follow international standards1 for measuring and controlling television signals and ensure that TV commercials are at the same volume as programs.
You will no longer have to control the volume yourself when a show cuts to an advertisement.
Why wait ‘til 2012?
Making this change isn’t as easy as you might think. Broadcasters need to buy and install special equipment. They also have to understand the new standards and train people to apply them. Waiting until September 2012 gives them the time they need to do this. However, some broadcasters have already implemented solutions and others may chose to become compliant well before September 2012.
Related information
CRTC tells broadcasting industry to turn down the volume on loud television commercials (September 13, 2011)
Note:
[1] In 2009, a standard was set for measuring and controlling television signals in order to minimize fluctuations in loudness between programming and commercials.
