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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Grants Pass bans outdoor pot grows ... Robbers armed with sickle, wrench sentenced ... Cluster of tiny earthquakes makes terrain near Lakeview shudder ... Grants Pass bans outdoor pot grows ... Robbers armed with sickle, wrench sentenced ... Cluster of tiny earthquakes makes terrain near Lakeview shudder ... SINCE YOU ASKED Since You Asked: FCC regulates ban on loud TV commercials Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Dec. 16, 2014 at 12:01 AM Posted Dec. 16, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Social News Shortly after being elected, the present administration claimed they would provide leadership to eliminate TV broadcasters from increasing the volume during commercials. Currently this practice continues on several channels, some local. Are there regulations to control this practice? If so, who is responsible for its enforcement? — G. Anderson, via email The Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation act was indeed signed into law on Dec. 15, 2010 by President Obama. It's perhaps better known by its serendipitous acronym, the "CALM" act. The law requires over-the-air broadcasters and pay television providers to air commercials with the same average volume as the television programs they accompany. Congress directed the Federal Communications Commission to establish the rules, which the FCC solidified on Dec. 13, 2011. The mandate was put into law one year later, on Dec. 13, 2012. The FCC mandate doesn't set a cap on broadcasters' loudness, so station volume levels can vary from channel to channel and still be in compliance. Rather, the FCC's Advanced Television Systems Committee set standards and methods relating to average volume in order that stations can measure and control the audio loudness of all programming, including commercials. What to do two years after being promised CALM? Tell the FCC, of course. If you suspect someone's not playing by the rules, there are a few ways to report it to the regulatory agency. The website is www.fcc.gov/complaints, you can call 1-888-225-5322, fax 1-866-418-0232 or mail Federal Communications Commission, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, Consumer Inquiries & Complaints Division, 445 12 St. SW, Washington, DC 20554. Whichever method you use, be sure to include the time of the loud commerical, the channel, a description of the ad, whether you were using an antenna, cable or satellite service, and lastly your contact information. Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Dec. 16, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501