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Preventing Loud TV Commercials

In the past, when you were watching TV and a commercial message was broadcast at a higher volume than the preceding program, it could really startle you. To prevent this, the CRTC requires broadcasters to follow rules aimed at ensuring that television programming and commercials are broadcast at a similar volume.

What do the rules do?

Canadian broadcasters and television service providers (e.g., cable, satellite, and IPTV providers) must follow international standardsFootnote 1 for measuring and controlling digital television signals, and must ensure that TV commercials are broadcast at a similar volume to programs. The standards apply to digital television services received through a television service provider (e.g. cable, IPTV, DTH) or over-the-air – they do not apply to streaming services or analog TV. They are designed to ensure that you do not have to reach for the remote control when a show cuts to an advertisement. Broadcasters are also responsible for maintaining the volume of the programs themselves, to ensure that both programs and advertisements are transmitted at a relatively even volume.

What about other factors?

Of course, the perception of loudness is based on many factors. It’s not just the volume, but the nature and content of the audio that play a role. What’s more, some sounds seem soothing, while others are irritating. So even a commercial broadcast at a similar volume to the program that precedes it can be perceived to be of different loudness.

Many set-top-boxes and televisions have audio regulation settings that can impact commercial loudness. Consult your manual or contact the manufacturer for instructions on how to configure your equipment.

If you have a complaint

If you think that a TV commercial is excessively louder than the preceding program, and that the perceived difference in volume is not due to other factors, contact your broadcaster or television service provider about your concerns. When considering making a complaint, remember that the rules apply to digital television services received through a television service provider (e.g. cable, IPTV, DTH) or over-the-air, and not to streaming services or analog TV.

If you cannot resolve the issue by dealing directly with your broadcaster or television service provider, and you believe that they have not adopted the necessary measures to ensure that commercials are transmitted at a similar volume to the adjacent programming, you can complain to the CRTC.

Your complaint must include:

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