CRTC moves a step closer to making loud TV ads a thing of the past

OTTAWA-GATINEAU, May 8, 2012 /CNW/ - Today, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) published the final regulations requiring Canadian broadcasters and broadcasting distributors to control the loudness of TV commercials by September 1, 2012.

"The rules we published bring us a step closer to our goal of eliminating loud TV ads," said Leonard Katz, Acting Chairman of the CRTC. "We have every expectation that the industry will take the necessary steps to meet our deadline and provide relief to viewers."

The regulations require Canadian broadcasters to adhere to the Advanced Television Systems Committee's (ATSC) standard for measuring and controlling television signals. Adherence to this standard will minimize fluctuations in loudness between programming and commercials. The ATSC is an internationally recognized body that sets technical standards for digital television.

In December 2011, the CRTC published draft regulations for comment after responding to Canadians' concern that commercial advertisements were too loud.

Broadcasters are also responsible for maintaining the volume of programs. They must follow these rules and ensure that both programs and ads are transmitted at the same volume by no later than September 1, 2012.

Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2012-273

http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2012/2012-273.htm

The CRTC

The CRTC is an independent public authority that regulates and supervises broadcasting and telecommunications in Canada.

Reference documents:

News release, "CRTC tells broadcasting industry to turn down the volume on loud television commercials," September 13, 2011

http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/com100/2011/r110913.htm

Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2011-584

http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2011/2011-584.htm

Image with caption: "Image of an angry television radiating curved lines representing increasing volume. The angry television is followed by the CRTC logo with an arrow pointing to a happy television radiating curved lines representing even volume (CNW Group/Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120508_C5231_PHOTO_EN_13259.jpg

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