http://blogs.ajc.com/radio-tv-talk/2011/12/13/fcc-to-minimize-loud-tv-commercials/
Government regulation is the consequence of lack of self-regulation.
Outlawing “loud” commercials compared to what? This idea has bounced around for decades. It doesn’t have an obvious way to enforce.
Human hearing is not uniform – by emphasizing the frequencies we hear better, digital processing can make something sound louder than it is.
If you make a limit on loudness in absolute terms, the broadcaster could lower the volume during the show, forcing you to turn up the volume control on the TV.
The closest the FCC came was to try to create a rule that prohibits a difference in the average sound level of the commercial compared to the programming around it. That would then push people to make the content more noisy (turn up the volume of the laugh track, add more loud music, etc)
The most important thing about this is it is signalling the FCC is going to become more activist.
Since the FCC has no regulatory power over Internet content (yet), this ban would not apply to things you watch on the Internet.
I’d love to hear a GOP candidate say that federal agencies exist to carry out the laws that are passed by Congress and signed by the president, and not to make up their own rules for the “public good.”
Update to my comment: Just heard an ABC News top of the hour newscast while checking WVNN. Apparently Congress and the prez did authorize the FCC to do this.
Several of the streaming stations that I listen too from this site have nearly ruptured my eardrums with CMs easily double — or more — the decibel level of the program I was hearing. This especially hurts with earphones clamped on nice and tight. One of them, I remember, is a York, PA channel which was particularly egregious. I live close enough to York that idea of driving down there, finding the satiation manager and screaming full throat in his ruddy face tempted me. Yeah, THAT loud. And yet, no thank you, Big Brother. We can deal with this issue ourselves, and if we can’t, then we still can deal with this issue ourselves. Back off, and while you are at it, brush up on the Tenth Amendment and let states handle cell phone use laws, if they are needed anywhere and everywhere. I know the blow-your-eardrums-out commercial is in fact a real thing. They suck; they piss me off, but I’m not sure it always is on purpose. Whether it is or not, I want Big Brother to be the LAST entity in the whole of the known universe butting in and “helping” us.
THE PRECEDING COMMERCIAL WAS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE AMBULANCE-CHASERS’ COOPERATIVE TRIAL LAWYERS GUILD!!!!!!!!!