Nina Grewal, MP for Fleetwood-Port Kells, welcomes the publication of new rules to regulate the loudness of television commercials in Canada. After industry consultations, the CRTC today released its final regulations scheduled to go into effect on 1 September 2012.  The regulations mirror those proposed by MP Grewal in Bill C-621, a private members’ bill she introduced in Parliament in February 2011.

“Canada is now a step closer to making loud commercials extinct,” declared Grewal. “No longer will Canadians be tormented by loud commercials on their TVs. Now seniors, citizens with sensitive hearing, and everyone else plagued by loud commercials can rest easy because the deadline for broadcasters to comply with the regulations is fast approaching.”

Shortly after Grewal introduced Bill C-621 the CRTC launched a study to investigate the problem of television commercials that are significantly louder than the programs they accompany. As a result of its study, the CRTC announced in the summer of 2011 that it would put in place regulations by September 2012.   

The regulations, like those proposed by Grewal, 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. 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.

“To comply with the new regulations, broadcasters will install audio processors to measure the loudness of a program over its entirety and adjust the volume of commercials accordingly,” said MP Grewal. “This technology will reduce the abrupt changes in volume when a show goes to a commercial break. Many broadcasters such as Rogers, Quebecor Inc., and Shaw Communications are already moving forward to comply with these regulations.”

 “Finally, Canadians are going to have the same regulatory protection as television viewers in other countries like the United States and United Kingdom. I am happy to have played a part in relieving Canadians of one life’s many annoyances,” concluded Grewal.