UPDATE: When Will the CALM Act be Enforced?
President Obama has signed a new law requiring TV broadcasters to back down on the volume of those pesky commercials that suddenly blast your eardrums.
The CALM (Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation) Act, signed by President Obama on December 15, requires broadcasters to install technology ensuring that commercials air at a volume no louder than the programs in which they appear.
Final enactment of the CALM Act represents the end of a long legislative battle for U.S. Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (D-California, 14th), who first introduced the bill in 2008.
"The country will now get the relief they deserve from the annoyance of blaringly loud television commercials," said Rep. Eshoo in a press statement. "Consumers will no longer need to dive for the 'mute' button during commercial breaks."
The law directs the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) to implement and enforce the commercial volume limitation regulation.
"The CALM Act, a pro-consumer measure signed into law yesterday by President Obama, will help lower the volume on TV commercials," said FCC chairman Julius Genachowski in a press release. "The FCC will now focus on implementing the law to give consumers back the volume control on their TVs."
UPDATE: When Will the CALM Act be Enforced?
Also See: Bill Silencing Loud TV Ads Moves Forward
Comments
WONDERFUL!! Even though this took two years to pass and get signed into law, this will be so worth it!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!
It has taken many decades, but finally this is law! Take that broadcasters!!
Seriously! A tv volume law? WTF Obama, we have a skyrocketing unemployment rate, terrorist blowing stuff, and all kinds of other stuff going on and your worried about the volume on commercials? Wow, just wow.
I thought it was just bad in California, since I live here and it was a Californian Representative that was fighting so hard for this, but knowing that it was a national problem I’m even more thankful for this! The broadcasting stations should have put a stop to this a LONG time ago!
It’s about time the clown did something right.
I’m glad our government has solved all the big problems and now has time for the small stuff- Lord knows this commercial volume issue is of vital importance to the nation.
I mean, our economy is on the rocks and the North Koreans and Iranians have nukes and China owns us lock stock and barrel, BUT AT LEAST TV COMMERCIALS WON’T BE AS LOUD NOW.
Heckuva job, Obama. Way to stay focused.
All is not well in Obamaland, With the new extentions to unemployment, not all applicants can apply. Many times the States have ways to cut the benifits allowed. If 13 weeks are allowed, you get 9, etc. I am an unemployed machinist and veteran. 26 years in my career field. Watching my last 3 jobs go overseas. I was awarded 26 weeks unemployment in minnesota. The reason for my not qualifying for extentions was that i filed 3 weeks of unemploynment in 2008. So the federal tier system was put in place in 2008. When i reapplied in 2009. I was told that because i reapplied in another year. All the benifits were used up.
After i dicussed this with the unemployment people, i learned that about 4 % of the appliants wil recieve the extention.
So don’t worry to much. The beuracrats are find ways to screw people out of unemploynment.
It is wonderful that this bill was passed by Congress and the President took a minute to sign it into law. Whoever commented that the President isn’t focused on real issues must not have watched the lame duck session or the last two years. And for anyone with a sick family member or a baby sleeping, trying to keep the noise level constant with the commercials blaring especially if you are in the kitchen cooking and the sound erupts in the other room. Well, I’m guessing the negative comments come from those who sit and hold the remote and never consider how disrupting the elevated sounds can be. I am so happy about this. Thanks so much.
You all know it’s annoying, stop being so hard on Obama, maybe he’ll be more focused now, especially without that annoying commercial volume issue! Just sad we have to wait a whole year for it to take effect.
It matters not to me who is in office at the time, a two party system is a joke. It is a simple thing for local networks to be compliant. They don’t HAVE to wait until Dec 15th 2011. I would suggest if broadcasters in your area insist on bombarding you, call their stations up with the loud commercials playing in the background and TELL them that you’d rather not wait a full year. I think this would get the point across rather than griping and waiting! Hey it’s worth a try. Even a local story in print polling local stations as to when they will become compliant would assist in the endeavor. Like all of the laws that are made, they allow the corruption to continue for a *bit* longer. Being sycophantic towards those who paid and bought you is typical of all those in politics.
So why does AMC still raise the volume for their commercials? I get tired of having to hit the mute button for every commercial break.
AMC just did it again during a commercial break for “Shawshank Redmption.” I would change the channel — or just put in the DVD, but I’m too lazy. I get the feeling that this will never change. I rarely watch AMC though, due to this tactic. AMC is the only network I’ve encountered this on. Sad, because they have good movies and great television shows. Oh well.
Justin: “Broadcasters will have until December 15, 2011 to prove compliance with the CALM Act.”
Thanks!
Robert Longley
It is going to take a flippin year for this law to go into affect???
What a joke!! How but effective Jan.15,11
I agree with you. What are we supposed to do till the act is enforced? Go deaf from idiot broadcasters disrespect for their viewers? Is that the best our government cares about our health concerns?The LAW NEEDS TO BE ENFORCED YESTERDAY!
Jones, above, seems to be a little confused about how government works. Obama probably spent almost no time at all on this bill, other than the time it took to sign it into law. Congress would have spent time crafting and debating it, as they obviously did over the past two years. Once Congress passes a bill it goes to the president, who either signs it into law or vetos it. So let’s give Obama a break on this one, huh?
And keep in mind this has been an annoyance for decades, with broadcasters routinely insisting that they didn’t run commercials at higher volume. Personally, I don’t like people trying to manipulate me, and doing it at high volume is just that much more annoying, so I’m happy Congress finally got around to doing something about this.
As for the economy, government didn’t screw it up and government can’t fix it. Sure, the feds can put a few things in place to make recovery a little easier and maybe to help small businesses and unemployed workers, but American business is going to have to find its own way back to productivity and profit.
Great Law:
It seems that the NFL broadcasters as well as others alter the volume during game and program play so the commercials are allowed a little wiggle room.
There needs to be some reasonable volume consistency during program play so the comparison between commercials and programming volume is more consistent, and that the commercials are played at the lowest volume values would be nice.
Thank You! Since I live in an apt. I’ve had complaints to the manager because I’ve arrows away from the tv and a commercial come on that was too loud. Now I have to walk around with my remote in my pocket. That’s ridiculous! SO Thank You!!!
Broadcasters should comply now instead of waiting nearly a year…give the consumers what they deserve.
The government makes everything better. Big Brother will even fix the volume on your telescreen.
Finally, BUT ANOTHER YEAR OF WAITING? uuuughhhhhhhhhhh
been waiting for years for this.
i dont need to hear those stupid commercials while
im in the bathroom during the break. or in the kitchen getting a drink. if anything, im never going to buy there product because they annoyed me with there loud crap. How did they get control over the volume on our tv’s to begin with?????????HMMMMMM….
Thank goodness for this bill.
I have for years sat with the remote on my lap or leg so I could grab it at the least hint of a commercial break. I would grab it and hit mute. The advertisers who are so determined I must hear their commercials while I am three rooms away getting a beverage or “other” should have learned long ago that I RESENT their blasting at me. I determined I would NEVER buy from any company that had commercials louder than the program.
Obviously the companies are not smart enough to realize many people had already tuned them out. If the volume was even with the program people might not bother to mute it and would actually hear the commercial they spent a gazillion dollars on.
But no, it took congress to tell the bums to turn it down. Further proof that you cannot trust corporate America to do what is in the best interests of the public.
Not that we can always trust gov to what is in the best interests of the people but at least this once, they got it right. I just wish it was going to take action tomorrow.
I agree w/ Mike. I can’t believe that they have until Dec. 2011 to comply. I thought it would begin this month. Another year of being annoyed on a daily basis.
I hate not getting an extension on my unemployment too Mr. Braend. Obama is the best president ever. I think every person should get 2 years of unemployment, that will really give people the stimulus they need to get off their dead ass and get a job.
I think its a good idea. I also think it’s going to be hard to enforce as movies and TV programs very in volume. For Example just when there is a quit spot in a movie a louder commercial comes on but not over the loudest volume the program has. Don’t get me wrong it will be better but not as good as the everyone is hoping.
Once the string of commercials is started, I hit the mute button as soon as I can get to the remote. So, most of the first commercial is muted. After that, every commercial is muted and their message does not get through.
What I was afraid of happening was the governmen banning mute buttons on remotes manufactured after some random date so we would be forced to listen to the commercial.
There is very little on TV worth watching and, if they had banned mute buttons, I would have sold my TV.
I agree. And its about bloody time they did something about that.
Watching TNT right now, problem is program Volumn very low, set speakers to 40, commercial comes on and literally blasts you off the couch, if you change channels, you find the commercial is about right volumn, but the program is a full 10 points lower than other stations.
This is probably the stations answer to fixing the problem, keep all commercials at a consistent level and lower the programs audio track so you have to crank it up.
i don’t get why people are so sardonic about Obama having signed this bill, it’s not like it takes much effort, he wasn’t pushing for it or anything. Signing by the president is the last step before a national law goes into effect. Glad to see learned people on the internet. (sarcasm)
Thank goodness this law is passed and signed. But why do did congress give the broadcasters an entire year to be compliant? How long does it take to turn down a volume control?
Why on earth does it take a YEAR to implement this law!!!!
That is rediculous! They know what they are doing with the volume and they just need to reach up and turn down the volune now!!!
This law does not need a year to comply. I felt like a primate for the past years for watching TV with a remote continously, to wait for each commercial, and it’s worse with surround sound.
No way in hell it takes a year to get this volume thing taken care of. All they needed to say is “This law goes into effect on Tuesday”… and it would be done. It doesn’t take a year. It is so annoying to get blasted off my couch by the commercials. GET IT DONE!
Please! Some one do the same in Canada. I want to take my 800 watt amplifier down to Colgate offices and as soon they go into meeting blast their ears off with the sound of their own damn ad that is making me deaf everyday in between movies. I am fed up. Aaaaaaaah why do we have to go through this.
This is a bill which will be overcome by the fact that not only is private enterprise much smarter than government, elected officials are so easy to buy if they desire to stay elected officials. Your only hope if you don’t want the noise is some sort of DVR system.
Pay attention people and try to actually read the article! President Obama did not “focus” on this issue. It was US Rep. Anna G. Eshoo that fought the battle for US citizens and won. President Obama simply signed the law into effect for the people of the US. Good grief, get over your partisan politics and pay attention to the facts.
This law is a positive example of gov’t oversite when the private sector just could not get it right
I’m constantly amazed. Several folks make an attack on the President because he signs a bill that Congress sent to him.
He didn’t drag his feet (Hint: Congress did.)
It wasn’t “his” bill. It was introduced in 2008. Look at your calendars folks.
Any bets that the broadcasters wait until the last second to change things to follow the law. To heck with the mute button! We’ve been hitting the change channel button for years, we don’t even see the commercial. So take that advertisers!
As for you folks who want to pick on the President- your brain needs stimulation- maybe a few loud commercials.
I agree with get.info, I change the channel as soon as a commercial comes on and will watch “Sit and Be Fit” before I will spend two seconds on an ad for some chemical laden air freshener or pizza puff appetizer that is full of franken-food. But in the 2 seconds it takes me to dive for the remote, I don’t want to be blasted with high volume drivel. And I am half deaf already, I wear hearing aids. It’s about time they stopped being able to intrude on my otherwise peaceful home.
That lasted for about a month. Now they are back at 2x the volume of the progams I’m watching again.
Great law – just no enforcement
I thought I actually detected this working after the signing. Now any thought that it is in place is gone. It drives you crazy.
Others mentioned that the commercials are muted because of it. I would have expected advertisers to have required this long ago.
Proves that little thought goes into these things. I quit buying things when manufacturers ignore the customer. I rarely am influenced by any advertisement anyway.
Why does it take an act of congress to resolve an issue that requires something as little as common sense!!!No wonder the country is going down the tubes!!!!!!!!!
FINALLY! This drives me insane in my own home but when I visit elderly relatives with hearing issues, their tv’s are already extremely loud and when the commercials come on it sounds as though the speakers will blow. I have never understood how these people don’t see that the volume is so obnoxious during commercials that everyone is hitting mute and no one is paying attention to what they are trying to sell!!
I use Cox Communications for cable and their commercials are the loudest of all. The volume went down just before and after the bill passed. Now it’s back up and louder than ever. I have to mute them to keep from loosing my mind. They know that consumers hate loud commercials but they don’t care. It shows a real lack of respect for customers on the part of Cox Communications.
Obama made a law regarding comercials being to loud and now in 2011 thy are louder than ever! When will this law be implemented? Why isnt anything changed? Are these companies being fined and if not why not?
Years ago I had a RCA TV that had a setting that kept the volume at a set volume that you determined. Why don’t they make tV’s like that now? didn’t make any difference how loud the commercials were they all came out the same volume as the regular program.
This is the best news I’ve heard all day. Thanks to US Rep. Anna Eshoo for introducing the bill and to Pres. Obama for signing it into law. Thanks also to all the Congressmen and women who helped pass this bill. Why did it take so long? The industry should have corrected this themselves. Pretty bad to have to make it a law for them to comply. How about them just doing it because it is the right thing to do.
I notice that the volume of some shows goes up substantially just before commercials come on. Is this a way to avoid the CALM Act??
Really? This law has been PASSED?! I would have never known because commercials are still way toooo loud! Especially for a child’s ears. The commercials are so loud you have to turn the tv down, but when the show comes back on, it’s so low, you can’t hear it…When is this going to stop?
Thank you Finally after 40 years of this.
The Broadcasters get paid extra by the advertisers to crank up the volume during commercials. The louder it goes the more money the Broadcasters make. Everyone should Google the advertisers to tell them that they need to phone their marketing company & fire them. Tell them about the newsgroups who won’t purchase their products because of this or listen to their ads. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. The sooner this law takes affect the better. Later so the broadcasters can find alternative ways to make some advertising dough.
Obama has quite a mess that the previous government has left him. No one will be able to turn this around over night until some attempt is made to get the budget under control. Jobs going over seas? I just wish Obama would grow some balls and start making the important decisions before he had lost the ability to do it. Now it has to go through the Republicans who you can guess are all for the rich man.
Where do you think that the cheap labour is? With the unions making things so expensive businesses need to go elsewhere and retailers need to start purchasing things made in North America, but the problem is it’s getting harder and harder to do. Quality has gone by the weighside as more people want cheap crap. It’s our own fault for shopping at Walmart instead of the local stores.
Well, It’s the end of March, 2011, and here in Colorado Springs, CO, the volume on most commercials is still at least 30-40% louder than scheduled programming. My gosh, anyone can go to Guitar Center, or get a Musician’s Friend catalog and order an audio sound compressor to insure all the volumes stay at the same level. I feel like calling up my local stations and volunteer to buy one for them….if they promise to use it!
Ken and All: Under the federal regulatory process, broadcasters may have until late 2012 to comply with the CALM Act.
See: http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/consumerawareness/a/When-And-How-The-Calm-Act-Will-Be-Enforced.htm
Unfortunately, everyone who complained that broadcasters were given a whole year before they have to turn the volume down seems to have missed two statements in the article: First, the FCC has until 12/2011 TO DRAFT RULES requiring the sound to be lowered. Second, roadcasters then have one year AFTER THAT to comply. In other words, they don’t have one year; they have two! The date for compliance will be December 2012! Besides that, the article says the FCC can grant extensions BEYOND THAT to broadcasters who show it would be a financial hardship to comply. We can still be glad the law passed, but hopefully we’ll live long enough to see it enforced.
It’s practically a moot point considering that technology and the subjective way “volume,” is determined. Broadcasters have not been changing the volume; or the power that goes into commercials. They take the power from the lower frequencies and put them into the spectrum that we hear…..so it SOUNDS louder. A decibel meter will show no difference in volume between those “pesky,” commercials and the shows. Some televisions have volume leveling circuits that can even mute commercials. And with a DVR you can avoid the commercials altogether. This was an issue over thirty years ago. This strikes me as more of a publicity stunt that didn’t need to happen.
Really? Try living in New York where I have had several neighbors actually call the police for noise disturbances because a show that was at a reasonable volume went to a commercial and was so loud that it actually made someone call the police. And who cares if the frequencies are different and some decibel meter shows that it is the same. Are your ears a decibel meter? How about the police or neighbors that have to hear it? That is like saying it is okay to stare into the sun just because you are wearing some cheap plastic glasses you picked up from walmart on your way home from picking up the welfare check!!
Does the Tea Party know about this? How can he not get reelected now?
Glory be to his holy Muslim name
WASTE OF GOVT. TIME AND MONEY!
Too bad it’s not being enforced. Thanks again for sucking Obama.
I think it had some effect cause I havent heard any in awhile. It is kinda strange that they made a law for it though but I’m cool with it cause they were really irritating.
Damn, right after I posted the first comment one of those loud arse commercial came on,lol! I can’t stand when they do that!
(Actually introduced in June 2008 by Sen. Wicker (R), w/companion bill in the House.)
Prediction:
- The licensed stations will cry boo-hoo because they will show “financial hardship & harm” due to implementation (read “they’ll have to buy some stuff to comply”). As a result,
- The FCC will rubber-stamp all requests for the 1-year waiver. When it runs out…
- The FCC will rubber-stamp all requests for the 1-year extension of the 1-year waiver.
2015 folks, maybe.
Can you hear me now?
What? I’m sure tons of people have commented on this, but
Why the hell does this need to be a law?
Why is the government _controlling_ what should be otherwise up to private corporations?
It’s not that I like loud commercials, but like an old proverb goes: if you see a snake, kill it, don’t make a committee on snakes!
It needs to be a law because broadcasters won’t voluntarily do it and the broadcasters are the only ones who like it, not the consumers. You probably still don’t get it. Grow a brain.
Now can we raise taxes on the rich please? Thank you.
I am wondering if the commerical folks met in secret with the movie producers because the volume of the background noise and music is extremely loud and you can hardly hear the actors. Was that noise/music raised on purpose so the commerical advertizers could say SEE we are no louder than the movie? I would not be surprised at all.
I can’t believe the administration even has time to be worrying about issues like this when we have far more serious things to deal with.
Getting back to the actual issue here, volume on the commercials: First, we need to understand the problem. Believe it or not, there are already standards in place BEFORE this new law that limit the maximum volume.
The problem is that the shows have a nuanced range of volumes, and the commercials do not. That is to say, on a show, loud things are loud, and normal thins are normal volume, and quiet thins are quiet.
The commercials, on the other hand have no use for much nuance, and are at or close to the maximum allowable volume at all times. So in terms of decibel level, they are not actually any louder than the loudest portions of the shows right now.
So, I haven’t seen the verbiage of the new law, but I’m hoping againt hope that these lawmakers actually had a good enough understanding of the problem to have something here with teeth.
I guess I shouldn’t be incredulous that some would use even this as a platform to attack the head of we, the body. So much wasted energy and so many self-inflicted wounds. I came here just because I got another blast from a commercial: Seeking clarity and that’s all. The problem is REAL and this, hopefully, will be a REAL solution.
Thank you Richard Phelps.
Thank you.. Thank you… Thank you.. And I will be certain to make sure they comply and will formally complain if I find them vioating this law.
My TV has voice cotrol which help cntroling the same voice level, but my issue is the so many commercials in one hour do that they prodcasting. Therefore now I am only recording the shows I like and forward all the commercial when watching it back.
The hell with live TV.
I’M SO HAPPY THAT I NO LONGER WILL HAVE TO PRESS THE MUTE BIOOTN AGAIN!!!!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU
Thank you, thank you! It’s about time! However, some of the news and sports are blaring in volume as well. I’m like a lot of others, if you blast me with your commercial, I do not buy from your business. How does the saying go…you are insulting our intelligence! Those awful loud car commercials that only speak of leasing and never buying a vehicle, I will never purchase a car from these places! HHGregg – done with them with that blaring commercial when they shout “Help” to get your attention. We hold the remote to change the volume more than to change channels. It’s pitiful! And while we’re at it, we are losing privacy big time each day. They are taking over our mail, e and hand-delivered, phones, faxes, tv volume, opt out is not for the consumer. I just never understood why I have to write you to ask you to leave me alone, rather than you not bothering me in the first place! I don’t get it.
Commercials pay for all of your TV entertainment on broadcast stations (FOX, NBC, CBS, ABC) and greatly subsidize cable and satellite. You’re biting the hand that feeds you. Would it be better to have a $300 cable bill, or a few loud commercials?
Between DVR’s and new regulations, TV commercials will all be gone soon and the viewers will be stuck with the bill.
It would be very easy for TV manufacturers to include an “automatic volume control” (AVC) circuit in the audio circuit of the TV. it might require th addition of a transistor and a couple of other components. This might add as much as a dollar to the cost of the TV.
This solution would take time for full implementation, therefore this law is a necessary stopgap.
HOO-RAY!!!!
This has been such an annoying aspect of watching TV…it’s nearly driven me back to renting DVD’s….now how do we make this happen in Canada?
JC you just don’t get it do you? It’s not about “biting the hand that feeds,” it’s about basic decency and respect for the viewing consumer. NOBODY likes to be yelled at unless they are hard of hearing, but that is just what commercials do, they yell at you. It’s obnoxious, rude, and completely unnecessary. Additionally it totally defeats the purpose of getting the word out about said product, as most people mute commercials or turn the channel altogether.
I generally don’t like government intrusion into the affairs of private enterprise, but in this case, I fully salute their involvement. It has only taken decades and decades of complaints about obnoxiously loud volume differences between commercials and non-commercial programming to get it done, but better late than never!
Finally. Don’t advertisers realize elevated volume levels just make us mute their commercials?
It’s a ’screaming’ shame that it took legislation to enforce what should be common sense / common decency on the part of the networks. I didn’t wait, however and dumped them all last year and never looked back! I now stream all my programming and enjoy [nearly] commercial free viewing what, when and where I want it. Oh, I’m sure the networks aren’t suffering from my decision… but I love it, and I’m saving more than $100/mos.!
I love the idea commercials won’t blast out, but What IDIOT or group of IDIOTS decided to make tv’s only go to half volume? I have never heard of anything so stupid. We really have to stop protecting the stupid. Its their ears, let them blow them if they want to.
BFD!
Did you read the article? It will take up a year from Dec. 2011 for this law to be enforced!
We were lead to believe that it would be enforced Jan. 1, 2012! What a joke!
As of today, nothing has changed! If you take notice…You will find that commercials for SMOKEY, EDUCATION, and MORTGAGES ARE still LOUD as can be…I know it seems like a stupid thing to be brought to the front burner, but it is annoying!!!! What’s really funny is that it’s mostly Government or Educational commercials that are the loudest. I am looking forward to not having to find the remote to turn the volume down~~every 10-15 minutes!!!
obama may have better stuff to do but this bill was needed i wanted to sue the broadcasters because of hearing damage from commercials
I think it’s wrong for Obama to have taken much needed time and attention away from fixing the economy (LOL) to focus on this. We don’t need MORE laws governing what we say and how we say it. This isn’t the America I grew up in.
Why must Obama constantly interfere with the Free Market? Why not let the industry regulate itself? I’m tired of all these new needless Regulations being put into place that end up hurting the Job Creators.
With DVR and Tivos now people simply fast forward through commercials anyway, so why bother with the time and effort to regulate something that doesn’t need to be regulated? The Free Market has already given you the Mute button. Stop being so lazy America. Don’t let Obama take away even more of your Freedom.
We have unemployment, so all other legislation should stop? That makes sense! (give me a break). I’m glad that they passed this – it is LONG OVERDUE!
PS – Stop bashing Obama and get a life! Bush 2s (and the then Republican Congress’) economic solution was to use our country’s surplus to ‘buy’ votes in an election while presiding over an economy that went down the toilet for eight consecutive years (don’t try to tell me that the $500 checks they received boosted the economy – it didn’t). The fact that Obama can’t “fix” the economy in less that four years does not surprise me (besides, people always over-simplify the economy/over state the degree of control ANY president has over the economy).
@ESPNCommentary @espn #SportsReportergreat show) did not get the memo!
Channel 10 / 11 Strong must not have gotten the memo either.
The guy on the commercial for some local roofing company comes blaring out, about 20 volume notches louder than the motocross program, (which is already kind of loud) “DID YOU KNOW TEMPERATURES ON ROOFS CAN REACH AND EXCEED 140 DEGREES?” (he is trying to defer do-it-yourselfers, and hire him).
I said to myself, outloud, “yeah, probably, I also know that this commercial is God Knows how many decibels higher than the regular programming. I thought that was against the law?”
And I googled “isn’t a higher volume on commercials illegal?”
And choose here to be directed to.
I thought it had been a law for years. And was surprised to find that it has just come into law so recently.
As for all of you complainers that there is so much more to do.
I agree, it is true. But F man, this is something, and usually, not always, but usually, SOMETHING IS BETTER THAN NOTHING.
And I am glad… Now, if the broadcasters can just adhere to the letter of the law, I may not have to get a hearing aid, or at least not jump out of my seat, startled from the increased volume blast. I have been known to bump my head and spill my coffee, I even twisted my ankle once.
This wont truly come into effect until dec2013. if you read the law passed, they can waiver twice if they can prove money problems as a result of changing their equipment. Now… we all know too many companies are running in the red these days. Chances are, you wont see this take effect until the end of the second waiver period. As far as Obama waisting his time on this, it’s not time waisted to sign something as simple as this in the two minutes that it’s actually on his desk. I’m sure he took a quick look at it and thought “WELL HELL YES!!” and signed it and sent it on. no big deal for those who aren’t overly obsessive about how obama spends his time. His plate is full, and it isn’t getting lighter. complain about his opinion, not his schedule. I personally agree with his opinion on this subject.
And yet… people still like the idea of the government being their only employer. Capitalism is good because it has competition. If the government gets rid of capitalism, why does it need to pay anyone more than minimum wage (other than goverment execs who would then get starting salaries of $10,000,000 a year more than likely). Communism DOESN’T WORK – just read George Orwell!
(this post is mainly directed posthumosly at Karl Marx, and at #Occupy)
If it a law – it is not working in Austin Texas
I am 77 and a shut in – I also have a hearing problem
It hurts my ears – when comercials come on LOUD
so very LOUD. Yo cut it down the have to turn it up;
when show comes back on
Who shulllllld I contact about this
WE HAVE A RIGHT TO LIVE WITH OUT THIS
PLEASE
Well, here it is April 20, 2012, and the commercials are louder than ever!
Is this another law that Obama has directed the powers that be, NOT to enforce? Sure seems like it to me!
The law was signed on Dec. 15, 2010 . . . and we’re STILL hearing the same old CRAP!
How much longer do we have to wait? and why can’t the television manufacturers build in an audio setting that would allow us to set an EVEN volume? Are they being paid for NOT including such a setting?
Big Brad
@Big Brad — Brad, you need to read “When and How Will the CALM Act be Enforced?” at: http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/consumerawareness/a/When-And-How-The-Calm-Act-Will-Be-Enforced.htm
“The CALM Act gives the FCC until December 15, 2011 to create and adopt rules – federal regulations — by which the CALM Act will be enforced. One year following the date on which the FCC’s CALM Act regulations are adopted, TV broadcasters, including all standard, cable and satellite broadcasters, will be required to comply with the regulations.”
So, December 15, 2012 is the magic date. Even then, it will be up to the public to report violations.
Robert Longley