What ever happened to limit on how loud commercials can be?

As long as mega-bucks are used to bribe our officials who monitor things, "for the public good," and the legislators who regulate the same, NOTHING will actually change. TV commercials were, in fact, supposed to be toned down, decades ago, but they went right back up, starting not too soon after that.
 
I also thought there was a limit as to the amount of program time that could be devoted to commercial content. That has increased in most programs.
 
gennie said:
I also thought there was a limit as to the amount of program time that could be devoted to commercial content. That has increased in most programs.
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I like to watch the evening network news at 5:30. I've timed all 3 networks...ABC, CBS, NBC. and they all average about 12 minutes of commercials during their 30 minute broadcasts. 1/3rd of their broadcast is commercials...mostly this goofy "Ask Your Doctor" propaganda.
 
Don M. said:
I like to watch the evening network news at 5:30. I've timed all 3 networks...ABC, CBS, NBC. and they all average about 12 minutes of commercials during their 30 minute broadcasts. 1/3rd of their broadcast is commercials...mostly this goofy "Ask Your Doctor" propaganda.
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...and the remainder is political propaganda! :eek:nthego:
 
Seems like the FCC doesn't put much effort into enforcing the CALM act, and for all I know they're taking payoffs to turn a deaf ear to consumer complaints.
That said, one can at least file an online complaint about whichever network seems to be blasting their ads. Who knows, they might actually read the complaints.
https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us

I'm sure some of you remember a few years back advertisers were in a fierce competition to create the loudest most annoying ads possible. They'd include things like wailing leaf blowers, whirling helicopter blades, roaring jet engines, squealing tires, air horns, megaphones... anything that generates extremely abrasive sounds, to grab viewer attention.
I frequently found myself wanting to pitch a brick at my TV screen. Those are not advertisements, they are literally an audial assault, and the agencies behind them deserved to be heavily fined, if not also criminally prosecuted for disturbing the peace.
 
Filing a Complaint about Loud Commercials

The Commission will rely on consumer complaints to monitor industry compliance with the rules. You may report commercials that seem louder than the programming they accompany to the FCC at any time. This information will help identify possible problem areas and will assist the Commission in enforcement of the rules. Specifically, the Commission will use the detailed information from complaints to identify patterns or trends of noncompliance for a particular station, pay TV provider or commercial.

We recommend that you file your complaint electronically using the Commission’s online complaint form found at https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us. To access the form, click on the Complaint Type button -- TV (includes Cable and Satellite), or Radio -- then the File Complaint link. Once the form opens, select the "Issues" drop-down box, and then click on the “Loud Commercials” option. Additional fields will then appear that are relevant to this topic. Click on the “Submit" button to file your complaint online. To enable the Commission to evaluate your complaint, you should complete the form fully and accurately.

You may also file your complaint by fax to 1-866-418-0232 or by letter mailed to Federal Communications Commission, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, Consumer Inquiries & Complaints Division, 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20554. If you need assistance filing your complaint, you may contact the Commission’s Consumer Call Center by calling 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) (Voice) or 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) (TTY). There is no fee for filing a consumer complaint.

In order for the FCC to evaluate the complaint, we need the following information:

  • State if you watched the commercial on pay TV (such as on cable or satellite) or if you watched it on a broadcast television station using an antenna;
  • The name of the advertiser or product promoted in the commercial;
  • The date you saw the commercial;
  • The time you saw the commercial;
  • The name of the TV program during which you saw the commercial;
  • State which TV station (by call sign and/or channel number and the station’s community) or pay TV provider (with its system location) transmitted the commercial; and
  • If you watched the commercial on pay TV, the channel number on which you saw it and the cable programmer or network, such as CNN or HBO.

Lots more interesting info here-
https://www.fcc.gov/media/policy/loud-commercials
 
Mostly I watch the commercial-free channels. But if I do get stuck with a commercial, my hand automatically reaches for the mute button.
 
RadishRose said:
Filing a Complaint about Loud Commercials

The Commission will rely on consumer complaints to monitor industry compliance with the rules. You may report commercials that seem louder than the programming they accompany to the FCC at any time. This information will help identify possible problem areas and will assist the Commission in enforcement of the rules. Specifically, the Commission will use the detailed information from complaints to identify patterns or trends of noncompliance for a particular station, pay TV provider or commercial.

We recommend that you file your complaint electronically using the Commission’s online complaint form found at https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us. To access the form, click on the Complaint Type button -- TV (includes Cable and Satellite), or Radio -- then the File Complaint link. Once the form opens, select the "Issues" drop-down box, and then click on the “Loud Commercials” option. Additional fields will then appear that are relevant to this topic. Click on the “Submit" button to file your complaint online. To enable the Commission to evaluate your complaint, you should complete the form fully and accurately.

You may also file your complaint by fax to 1-866-418-0232 or by letter mailed to Federal Communications Commission, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, Consumer Inquiries & Complaints Division, 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20554. If you need assistance filing your complaint, you may contact the Commission’s Consumer Call Center by calling 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) (Voice) or 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) (TTY). There is no fee for filing a consumer complaint.

In order for the FCC to evaluate the complaint, we need the following information:

  • State if you watched the commercial on pay TV (such as on cable or satellite) or if you watched it on a broadcast television station using an antenna;
  • The name of the advertiser or product promoted in the commercial;
  • The date you saw the commercial;
  • The time you saw the commercial;
  • The name of the TV program during which you saw the commercial;
  • State which TV station (by call sign and/or channel number and the station’s community) or pay TV provider (with its system location) transmitted the commercial; and
  • If you watched the commercial on pay TV, the channel number on which you saw it and the cable programmer or network, such as CNN or HBO.

Lots more interesting info here-
https://www.fcc.gov/media/policy/loud-commercials
Click to expand...


Good info, Thanks.

Now, where do we file a complaint about all the background noise in the documentary programs. All the 'swish'/'crash' /'symbol' sounds.........drives me to the point I often just change channel. I'm likely not alone, and I wonder if they realize just how many viewers they are loosing ?
 
Here in the U of K,we have ITV...which will start a program,introduce the contestants/panelists/items...then,before yer bum's even made an indent in the sofa cushion,you get "COMING UP!"....which then saves you watching the next hour of it,as all the good bits are shown-LOUDLY! So-off I go to play one of my guitars,leaving the pooches to watch it.
 
Everything is about sales.....A bit OT, but related.

I recently looked into Harry's shave club. Just wanted information , price etc. I have been bombarded with ads from them, ever since. They pop-up every time I log on.
 
Unless it's an AARP commercial, todays commercials aren't at all geared toward Seniors, so networks don't give a hoot about what we think. Networks are out to sell things to the much younger generation...…...not us.

Like Hair Salons, all of the pictures they display on the walls of their hair styles are of much younger folks than us. GNC Vitamin Shop is the same way, all young folks. In fact, I really wonder if there are any stores that display pictures of Seniors wearing their products?

Not to get off topic here, but even at our apartment complex, where we do have other Seniors like ourselves, management is told by the owners, "don't tell how long anyone has been living in the complex. We don't want anyone to think it's a Senior type complex." I was actually told this by the Rental Agent here.
 

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