Some members of Congress want broadcasters to turn down the volume on television ads. A bill sponsored by U.S. Rep. Anna Eshoo (D., Calif.) would require the FCC to "preclude commercials from being
broadcast at louder volumes than the program material they accompany."
Broadcasters, however, say they are addressing the problem already. "Major networks, including ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox,
are all attempting to control loud commercials," says David Donovan, president a broadcast industry trade group.
"The industry is motivated to act," stated NBC Universal Principal
Engineer Jim Starzynksi at a hearing before the House Energy and Commerce Telecommunications Subcommittee yesterday. Final review of an industry standard on commercial volume is expected in July,
and broadcasters could begin implementing it by fall, he said. In the meantime, viewers still need to keep the volume control handy.
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