California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a new law that will stop streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video from blasting commercials louder than the shows they accompany.
Starting July 1, 2026, these platforms will be legally required to ensure that ad audio does not exceed the volume of regular streaming content. The law, Senate Bill 576, extends the same standards long applied to traditional television under the federal Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation (CALM) Act of 2010.
“We heard Californians loud and clear,” Governor Newsom said. “By signing SB 576, California is dialing down this inconvenience across streaming platforms, which had previously not been subject to commercial volume regulations passed by Congress in 2010.”
The bill was introduced by State Senator Tom Umberg, who said it was inspired by a personal complaint from his legislative director, Zach Keller, whose newborn daughter was repeatedly startled awake by loud streaming ads. “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,” Umberg said.
Related: Netflix Expands “Moments” Scene-Clipping Tool With End-Point Editing
With California’s leading role in the entertainment industry, the new regulation could push major streaming services to reduce ad volumes nationwide, giving viewers everywhere a quieter, smoother streaming experience.
