Conservative MP Nina Grewal introduced a private members' bill Thursday to prevent television advertisers from running commercials that are louder than television programming. The legislation, Bill C-621, would direct the CRTC to amend the regulations under the Broadcasting Act to limit the volume of television ads so that they are the same average level as other programs. "Canadians are sick and tired of having to reach for the remote control every time a commercial comes on TV at a higher volume than the normal programs they are watching. It is a common complaint to be watching a show at a comfortable volume and then the program breaks for a commercial and one is suddenly jolted out of one's seat by the loudness," Grewal said in the House Thursday when she introduced the bill. "While it may seem a small irritant, it is a daily stress that could and should be relieved from the shoulders of Canadians." She said the bill would change the broadcasting regulations to establish a establish a target dialogue level for all programming. The regulatory change would follow the practices of the Advanced Television Systems Committee, the standards agency for North American broadcasters.
Source: The Wire Report, 02/11/2011