Los Angeles: California has turned the dial toward quieter living rooms, passing a first-of-its-kind law that forces streaming giants such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and YouTube to reduce the volume of commercials to match that of regular programming.
Signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom, the measure, Senate Bill 576, extends to streaming services the same audio standards that have applied to television broadcasters since 2010 under federal law.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires traditional broadcasters to ensure that ads and programs share the same average sound level. Until now, however, online streaming platforms had been exempt.
“We heard Californians loud and clear. And what’s clear is that they don’t want commercials louder than the programs they were enjoying,” Newsom said in a statement.
The law Governor Newsom signed today will also apply to streaming serviceshttps://t.co/lzi4wcBbB9
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) October 6, 2025
State Senator Tom Umberg introduced the bill after a late-night complaint from his legislative aide, who said the jarring volume of streaming ads was repeatedly waking his infant daughter, Samantha.
“This law 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 effort,” Umberg said. “SB 576 brings so much-needed peace and quiet to California households,” Tom Umberg added.
The legislation requires streaming platforms to implement consistent audio standards, ensuring that ad volumes align with surrounding content. Noncompliance could result in penalties similar to those already applied to television broadcasters.
With most major streaming companies headquartered in California, industry analysts say the state’s move could ripple across the country, setting a de facto national standard for sound moderation in the digital entertainment era.
