Gov. Newsom signs new California law limiting volume of ads on streaming platforms

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KGO) — Thanks to a new California law, you won’t have to scramble to turn down the volume when a commercial comes on a streaming platform.

The state law regulates the volume of ads on streaming services like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime, so commercials aren’t louder than the program you’re watching. The law takes effect in July 2026.

Federal law already exists limiting the volume of commercials on broadcast and cable.

“We heard Californians loud and clear, and what’s clear is that they don’t want commercials at a volume any louder than the level at which they were previously enjoying a program.” Governor Gavin Newsom said in a statement. “By signing SB 576, California is dialing down this inconvenience across streaming platforms, which had previously not been subject to commercial volume regulations passed by Congress in 2010.”

State Senator Thomas Umberg introduced the bill after a staffer’s experience of his baby being woken up by blaring streaming service ads.

“This bill was inspired by baby Samantha and every exhausted parent who’s finally gotten a baby to sleep, only to have a blaring streaming ad undo all that hard work,” Umberg said. “SB 576 brings some much-needed peace and quiet to California households by making sure streaming ads aren’t louder than the shows we actually want to watch.”