If you’ve ever jumped at a loud commercial while watching your favourite show on Netflix, Hulu, or Prime Video, you’re not alone. Starting July 1, 2026, Californians can say goodbye to those blaring ads.
Governor Gavin Newsom signed a new law that makes it illegal for streaming services to broadcast commercials at a higher volume than the regular programme audio. The law, which is known as Senate Bill 576, requires all advertisements to be kept at the same volume as the programming it’s accompanying.
We heard Californians loud and clear,” Governor Newsom said in a press release. “They don’t want ads blaring at them after a quiet scene in a movie or show. This new law will finally fix that problem for streaming audiences.”
The change aims to bring harmony and consistency to viewers who have complained for years about sudden volume spikes during commercial breaks.
Modeled after a 2010 federal law
This new California law is based on the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation (CALM) Act, which was passed by Congress in 2010. The CALM Act made it illegal for TV broadcasters to show commercials at a louder volume than their regular programming.
But the 2010 law didn’t cover streaming services, which have since become the most common way to watch shows and movies. As streaming grew, so did complaints over inconsistent ad volumes that interrupted viewers’ experience.
Now California is extending the same regulations to digital streaming services, closing the gap between traditional TV and internet-based entertainment.
Under SB 576, streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Prime Video, Peacock, and others will have to maintain their ad audio levels in line with the surrounding content—no more ear-shattering commercials in the middle of your favourite show.
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A law born from a sleepless night
Interestingly, this law began with a simple, recognisable anecdote. The author of the bill, California State Senator Tom Umberg, said the idea came about after his legislative director, Zach Keller, complained that loud streaming ads were waking up his infant daughter, Samantha.
This bill was inspired by baby Samantha and every exhausted parent who’s struggled so hard to get a baby to sleep and then had a blaring streaming commercial shatter it,” stated Senator Umberg. “SB 576 assists in bringing a little much-needed quiet and peace into California homes.”
The story resonated with many parents who had the same complaints about the volume of commercials on the internet, especially while streaming late atnight.
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How streaming services will have to adapt
The streaming services have until mid-2026 to update their audio systems and ad technology to meet the new law. This includes altering algorithms and sound-processing software to deliver consistent audio levels between commercials and programmes.
Failure to comply would endanger penalties or constraints in California, one of the world’s largest entertainment markets.
Experts believe that since California has such a large presence in both the tech and entertainment industries, this new law can create a ripple effect throughout the nation. Streaming services might choose to implement the same audio standards in all states to simplify things and to avoid inconsistencies.
A quieter future for viewers everywhere
For the average Californian, the bill is a win for comfort and common sense. Viewers will soon be able to binge-watch shows without having to repeatedly grab the volume button when commercials blast on.
With California taking the lead, there’s a chance other states—or even federal regulators—will follow.
As Governor Newsom put it, Californians’ message was simple: “Turn it down.” And before long, with this new legislation, streaming services won’t have any other option but to do so.
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