The painfully loud streaming ads that disrupt your show are finally being reduced in volume.

      California has enacted a law prohibiting streaming platforms from broadcasting advertisements that are louder than the programs they disrupt.

      Beginning July 1, this legislation aims to alleviate the frustration many viewers feel when commercials suddenly blast at a much higher volume. Governor Gavin Newsom signed the bill, known as SB 576, in October 2025, and it will be implemented this week.

      What is the purpose of this law, and what changes will it bring?

      Since 2010, traditional broadcast, cable, and satellite television providers have had to adhere to volume regulations under the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation (CALM) Act, but there were no such requirements for streaming services. SB 576 addresses this disparity.

      According to State Senator Tom Umberg, the bill was inspired by a tired parent whose sleeping child was often disturbed by loud streaming ads.

      Currently, this law only impacts viewers in California, but similar legislation has been passed in Illinois that will come into effect in 2027. This could encourage streaming platforms to implement volume regulations on a nationwide level instead of state by state.

      Reactions from streaming companies

      The streaming industry, however, expressed discontent with the new law. Organizations such as the Motion Picture Association and the Streaming Innovation Alliance, which represent companies like Netflix, Disney, and Amazon Prime Video, opposed the legislation.

      They contended that many platforms are already working to manage the inconsistencies in ad volume resulting from server-side ad insertion, wherein ads are integrated into the stream using different encoding techniques than the actual content. Additionally, streaming services have to manage ad playback across various devices, adding complexity to maintaining consistent volumes.

      So far, no streaming service has detailed how they will comply with the new regulations, but if California's law leads to real changes, your next disruptive commercial interruption may become much less jarring.

      Manisha Priyadarshini is a writer focused on tech and entertainment with over nine years of editorial experience.

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      Discover three underrated Apple TV shows you must watch this weekend (June 26-28)

      Here are three critically acclaimed Apple TV+ shows that have not yet gained significant mainstream attention.

      Apple TV produces extraordinary content that, for some reason, doesn’t seem to achieve the same level of popularity as shows like Severance or Ted Lasso. These three recommendations demonstrate a similar trend of receiving critical acclaim and appreciation from audiences yet remaining insufficiently viewed.

      Among these selections, you’ll find a mystery comedy, an expansive historical drama, and a witty workplace sitcom, showcasing that Apple's offerings extend far beyond its biggest successes. If you’re in search of something exceptional that you might have overlooked, start with these shows.

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      If you’re after something different to watch on HBO Max this weekend, these three hidden gems exemplify some of the finest television the platform has to offer—despite not receiving the recognition they deserve.

      From a gritty historical medical drama to an intriguing and visually stunning animated sci-fi series to an Italian coming-of-age story, each one provides a unique binge-worthy experience. If you're weary of scrolling through the same recommended series week after week, these selections are certainly worth exploring.