As more streaming services introduce ad-supported subscriptions, many viewers are experiencing ads playing at a far louder volume than the original programming. That’s set to change for those in California thanks to a new law that will go into effect on July 1, 2026.

SB-576, signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday, requires streaming services such as Disney+ and Netflix to ensure that ad volume is the same as the content being streamed.

"We heard Californians loud and clear, and what’s clear is that they don’t want commercials at a volume any louder than the level at which they were previously enjoying a program," Newsom says.

The bill was first introduced by California state senator Tom Umberg (D) after one of his colleagues mentioned the loud audio disturbing their newborn. "This bill was inspired by baby Samantha and every exhausted parent who’s finally gotten a baby to sleep, only to have a blaring streaming ad undo all that hard work," he says.

Companies often opt to apply state-level legislation nationwide to simplify the process, particularly when it comes to internet-based regulations. In this case, the Federal Communications Commission might take action first.

In 2012, Congress approved similar legislation for broadcast TV, which is enforced by the FCC. So far, streamers have been exempt from this law; however, in February, the FCC proposed an update to its rules that, among other things, would consider whether it has the authority to also apply them to streaming services.

"Many of the complaints that triggered this [review] were against streaming providers," Democratic FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks noted in February. "While the Commission has generally considered these providers to be outside the scope of our authority, at least under the Communications Act, this item seeks comment on our authority to extend commercial loudness requirements to these providers, under either the CALM Act or the CVAA [21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act]."

By: DocMemory
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