The FCC is seeking comment on procedural updates to...
The FCC is seeking comment on procedural updates to the way the CALM Act calculates the loudness of commercials, the commission said in an order and FNPRM Friday (http://bit.ly/1b7wISy). The move is prompted by changes in March to the Advanced…
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Television Systems Committee’s (ATSC) recommended practices, which updated the algorithm -- called BS.1770-3 -- used to calculate loudness, said the order. Because the old standard is referenced in the CALM Act legislation, the commission is proposing to update the language with the new standard. The change is “designed to prevent advertisers from using silent passages to offset excessively loud passages when calculating the average loudness of program material,” said the order. Once the new standard is implemented, “consumers may notice a modest decrease in the perceived loudness of certain commercials,” said the order. The FNPRM specifically seeks comment on the possible costs that would go along with the technical update, and proposes a one-year deadline to make the change. The order also waives the current CALM Act rules to allow stations to make the switch to the new standard early. In a statement attached to the order, Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel said the enforcement of the CALM Act should be stepped up. She said the FCC has received nearly 20,000 complaints involving excessively loud commercials. Rosenworcel endorsed a proposal from Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I,, to issue quarterly reports on CALM Act noncompliance. “I believe this will not only facilitate enforcement of our rules -- it could help us put this irritating, persistent problem to rest,” she said.