Can TV networks run commercials louder than the programming they are presenting?

Question

I see a lot of networks lately, local and cable, that seem to "pump up the volume" on the commercials. I constantly have to adjust my volume during commercial breaks (which makes no sense to me, as it makes me MORE likely to mute them altogether, defeating their purpose). I heard that once upon a time, this was "illegal" and wonder what the rule is on such a thing, as I find it incredibly irritating.

I understand source volumes and multiple sources, etc, but I'm talking about a station that plays EVERY commercial louder than EVERY show, you know? Can't miss them all, and they can't ALL just be due to source. They should control their programming, whether show or commercial, to play at a certain level of loudness, shouldn't they?

Answer 1

yea, it seems like they are pumping up the volume. I change the channel.

Answer 2

The answer is NO they are not supposed to, however, depending on where the signal comes from there may be differences in the volume. For example, you are watching a program on CBS, the network commercials should be the same volume as the program, however if there is a local break, that might be louder because the source is different. Does that make sense? Sane with cable ads, local louder or softer depending on the source

Answer 3

solid question Leesa. That grew to become into truly uncomplicated practice some years in the past, up till approximately 1975 i think of. Then the FCC ruled that the commercials had to be the comparable volume because of the fact the courses. The louder commercials have been meant to cause them to nonetheless audible as human beings left the television room. i do no longer recognize what got here approximately, yet i observed that TBS and TNT began with the loud commercials returned. And now, maximum all of the stations are doing it. the two the FCC mandate grew to become into dropped or there's a loop hollow someplace.

Answer 4

TVman has a good response, plus I read once where the commercials are not technically louder, they are just more consistently loud than the program you were watching. For example, if the volume of a scene you were watching varied between 1 and 10, the volume of a commercial may only vary between 8 and 10, thereby seeming louder. It's not loud enough to violate rules, but is still louder than the program.

Answer 5

Here's what my local FOX channel does. At 10:00, when the Simpson re-runs start, they turn the volume on the programming down very low. If you want to hear it, you have to crank your volume up. Then, the commercials are at normal volume, which ends up blaring through your TV's speakers. It's a cheap gimmick and I hate it.

Answer 6

it's honestly not all the station's fault. i work at a tv station and sometimes the commercials that we get in are just louder than the show. we try to make all the sound levels equal but sometimes you miss it. then again. it might be a conspiracy to get you to buy stuff too. who knows?

Answer 7

I agree with you, and by doing that they loose more viewers, its suppose to be illegal, but that's a joke. and now they even started doing it in movie theaters, which to me is insulating, since we pay good money for our tickets, went to go see Apollo 13, the commercials were so loud

Answer 8

its because they know a lot of people get up for a break for the bathroom or the kitchen during commercials and they want to make sure you can still hear it!

Answer 9

yeah my tv does that too. like when im just sitting on the couch reading the paper suddenly the tv gets louder. i think it does that to make you look over. so then i go and turn it down. then the show i was watching comes back on and i can barely hear it!

Answer 10

I know what you mean. I take my remote and flip to other channels during commercials. I do not watch commercials.