OTTAWA and GATINEAU – The CRTC has told broadcasters and television service providers how it intends to enforce its new rules controlling the loudness of television commercials which kick in on September 1.
Thursday’s bulletin directed TV broadcasters and BDUs to submit a report before October 15, 2012 to the Commission confirming that all applicable steps have put in place and are being followed in order to comply with the new rules.
Those regulations, announced in May, require Canadian broadcasters to adhere to the Advanced Television Systems Committee’s (ATSC) standard for measuring and controlling television signals to minimize fluctuations in loudness between programming and commercials. The international standard only applies to digital television services and not to analog services.
In addition, the Commission also laid out how it will address complaints. Viewers who believe that a commercial was broadcast at an excessively loud volume should first contact the broadcaster or their BDU in an attempt to resolve the complaint directly, and may then contact the CRTC directly if their concerns are not addressed to their satisfaction.
The U.S. will adopt the same international standard by the end of the year, but until then, viewers watching the over-the-air signals of American television stations may be exposed to excessively loud ads, the Commission warned.
"Starting on September 1, Canadians will be able to enjoy their favourite television programs without having to adjust the volume during commercial breaks," said CRTC chair Jean-Pierre Blais, in a statement. "We appreciate the efforts undertaken by the broadcasting industry to conform to the new standard and ensure that programs and commercials are transmitted at a similar volume."
