Loud TV ads must be turned down by Saturday, CRTC says
New rules come into effect
CBC News
Posted: Aug 30, 2012 5:31 PM ET
Last Updated: Sep 1, 2012 3:06 PM ET
The CRTC has ordered TV broadcasters to turn down the volumes of excessively loud commercials, beginning Sept. 1. (CRTC)
Related
External Links
(Note:CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external links.)
Loud TV commercials aired by Canadian broadcasters are getting some noise control starting Sept. 1.
That's when the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) begins enforcing new advertising rules aimed at appeasing viewers who have complained about "ear-splitting" ads.
"Starting on September 1, Canadians will be able to enjoy their favourite television programs without having to adjust the volume during commercial breaks," the broadcast regulator's chairman, Jean-Pierre Blais, said in a statement.
"We appreciate the efforts undertaken by the broadcasting industry to conform to the new standard and ensure that programs and commercials are transmitted at a similar volume."
Former CRTC chairman Konrad von Finckenstein ordered networks last September to abide by new volume rules within a year.
“Broadcasters have allowed ear-splitting ads to disturb viewers and have left us little choice but to set out clear rules that will put an end to excessively loud ads," von Finckenstein said at the time. "The technology exists, let’s use it.”
In a press release, the CRTC noted that "loudness is a perception" that is based on factors such as the audio frequency and content of the materials.
More than 7,000 Canadians responded last year to a call for comments from the CRTC on sound volume in ads. The overwhelming majority said loudness was a persistent problem.
While Canadians tuning in to U.S.-broadcasted programming might still be subjected to excessively loud ads, the CRTC said the U.S. is expected to lower commercial volumes by the end of the year, in line with international Advanced Television Systems Committee standards.
Share Tools
Top News Headlines
- Senate to debate expense audits amid greater scrutiny
- The expenses scandal is dominating the first Senate session since the audits on senators Mike Duffy, Mac Harb and Patrick Brazeau were released and it was revealed Duffy's questionable expenses were repaid by a personal cheque from the prime minister's chief of staff. Follow our live blog. more »
- Search for deadly Oklahoma tornado survivors nears end
- The search for survivors and bodies following the most powerful type of tornado in an Oklahoma City suburb that levelled a school and killed at least nine children on Monday is almost over. more »
- Deadly Oklahoma tornado confirmed as most powerful type

- Emergency workers neared the end of their search Tuesday afternoon for survivors in Moore, Okla., following a deadly tornado that weather officials said was now classified among the most powerful type of twister. more »
- Only 1 set of human remains found at Millard farm, police say
- Hamilton police have confirmed that they are dealing with only a single set of human remains at the Waterloo region farm of Dellen Millard. more »
- Rob Ford faces more calls to address crack allegations
- Toronto Mayor Rob Ford went back to work after a holiday weekend, but he kept his mouth shut about an alleged video that two published reports say shows him smoking what appears to be a crack pipe. more »
Must Watch
Latest Technology & Science News Headlines
- Designing smart clothes to go with that smartphone
- Dresses adorned with flowers that slowly open and close or coloured patterns that change spontaneously are some of the futuristic designs by a Montreal researcher who is trying to make clothes "smarter." more »
- Microsoft's Xbox revamp: Is the sun setting on game consoles?
- With the rise of mobile and social games, the revival of PC gaming and a general proliferation of options for both developers and players, some are wondering whether game consoles matter anymore, writes Peter Nowak. more »
- Vancouver link to Hadfield's space guitar
- A Vancouver company says it will re-start production of a guitar that was used by Chris Hadfield in space, prompting thousands of dollars in new orders. more »
- Netflix and the rise of binge TV watching
- Netflix has been giving viewers the opportunity to watch entire new seasons of TV shows in one sitting and — for better or for worse — many have been doing just that. more »
Bob McDonald's Blog
Chris Hadfield: The gravity of gravity May. 17, 2013 9:58 AM After five months of being Superman and a media superstar, Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield is now beginning the challenging task of adapting his mortal body and brain to life back on Earth.
Quirks & Quarks
- May 18: Apps for Apes May. 21, 2013 1:43 PM Scientists at more than 2 dozen zoos around the world, including the Toronto Zoo, have been using computer tablets to stimulate our bright orange primate cousins, the orangutans. And the orangutans have been loving it.
Latest Features
- Deadly Oklahoma tornado confirmed as most powerful type
- Microsoft unveils Xbox One
- 'Very upset' Harper wants fast Senate spending reform
- Search for deadly Oklahoma tornado survivors nears end
- Mountie sues 13 ex-colleagues for sex assault, harassment
- Only 1 set of human remains found at Millard farm, police say
- Rob Ford faces more calls to address crack allegations
- Jodi Arias asks jury to spare her life
- Microsoft's Xbox revamp: Is the sun setting on game consoles?

