HB7308, titled the “Turn It Down Act,” would amend the federal CALM Act to extend commercial loudness rules to video programming delivered using internet protocol, such as streaming or other IP-based video services. The bill directs the Federal Communications Commission to issue regulations within 18 months to ensure that commercial advertisements accompanying IP-delivered video programming are subject to volume requirements substantially equivalent to those already applied to television broadcast stations, cable operators, and other multichannel video programming distributors.
The bill also defines the covered “video programming” as programming provided by, or generally comparable to, programming provided by a television broadcast station, while excluding consumer-generated media. In practical terms, it would bring streaming-adjacent commercial ads under a federal loudness standard intended to reduce abrupt volume changes between programming and advertisements.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would expand the scope of the CALM Act and require the FCC to create new implementing regulations for internet protocol-delivered video advertisements. It would affect streaming and other IP-based video distributors, advertisers, and potentially content platforms that carry professionally produced video programming, while leaving consumer-generated media outside the new rule. The measure would not itself set technical standards, but would mandate FCC rulemaking to align IP-delivered ad volume requirements with existing broadcast and cable rules.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes, the measure appears to be a consumer-protection and media-regulation proposal with a straightforward purpose: reducing loud commercial interruptions in modern video delivery formats. The title and structure suggest a generally practical, noncontroversial intent focused on parity between traditional television and internet-delivered video advertising. No formal vote history or transcript evidence is available to indicate broader support or opposition.
Contention
The main potential point of contention is the bill’s extension of federal loudness regulation into internet protocol-delivered video, which could raise concerns among streaming services, advertisers, and platform operators about compliance costs, technical implementation, and regulatory reach. Another possible issue is the scope of the definition of covered video programming, particularly the exclusion of consumer-generated media, which may prompt questions about where the line is drawn between professional and user-created content. No specific objections or supporters are documented in the available materials.
An act to amend Sections 22775 and 22776 of, and to amend the heading of Chapter 27.3 (commencing with Section 22775) of Division 8 of, the Business and Professions Code, relating to streaming services.
An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 59.1 a chapter numbered 60, consisting of sections numbered 59.1-614, 59.1-615, and 59.1-616, relating to streaming advertisement volume control; civil penalty.