California Bans Loud Commercials on Netflix, Hulu, and Other Streaming Services

California has passed a new law targeted at minimizing loud commercials on streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video. This legislation requires that the audio levels of ads align with the volume of the content being streamed. Governor Gavin Newsom signed the bill on Monday.

Starting July 1, 2026, streaming services will be barred from “broadcasting the audio of commercial advertisements at a volume higher than that of the video content they accompany,” as outlined in the bill.

“We have heard the concerns of Californians, and it’s clear that they wish for commercials to be played at a volume that matches their viewing experience,” Governor Newsom stated in a press release. “By signing SB 576, California is addressing this annoyance across streaming platforms, which have previously been outside the commercial volume regulations established by Congress in 2010.”

The new legislation builds on the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation (CALM) Act, enacted in 2010, which prohibits TV commercials from being louder than the content airing. With this new law, streaming services must comply with the same commercial volume standards as traditional TV broadcasters in California.

Senate Bill 576 was introduced by California State Senator Tom Umberg, who highlighted a concern from his legislative director, Zach Keller, regarding how the loud volume of streaming ads was disturbing Keller’s newborn daughter, Samantha.

“This legislation originated from baby Samantha and all tired parents who successfully get their babies to sleep, only to have a loud streaming ad disrupt their hard work,” Senator Thomas Umberg stated in the press release. “SB 576 offers much-needed peace to California households by ensuring that streaming ads do not exceed the volume of the shows viewers want to enjoy.”

Given California’s significant influence in the entertainment sector, this law could encourage streaming platforms to reduce ad volumes nationwide.