December 13, 2012

ACA's Polka Applauds Rep. Eshoo and Sen. Whitehouse As CALM Act Takes Effect

PITTSBURGH, December 13, 2012 – American Cable Association President and CEO Matthew M. Polka issued the following statement regarding the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act, which took effect today, one year after adoption of implementing regulations by the Federal Communications Commission.

“The American Cable Association applauds Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), authors of the CALM Act, for addressing the problem of loud TV commercials with proportional regulations that correctly took into account the concerns of small cable operators, few of whom have control over the volume of the commercials embedded in the programming streams heard by their subscribers.

“Rep. Eshoo and Sen. Whitehouse correctly recognized that the industry had developed recommended practices for avoiding the annoyances of loud commercials, but these practices were not being closely followed by some industry participants.  As implemented by the FCC, the CALM Act will result in industry participants with the most control over TV commercial volume levels adhering more closely to these recommended practices — all to the benefits of consumers.

“We salute Rep. Eshoo and Sen. Whitehouse for their legislation that is a big win for all TV viewers.”

About the American Cable Association: Based in Pittsburgh, the American Cable Association is a trade organization representing about 850 smaller and medium-sized, independent cable companies who provide broadband services for more than 7.4 million cable subscribers primarily located in rural and smaller suburban markets across America.  Through active participation in the regulatory and legislative process in Washington, D.C., ACA’s members work together to advance the interests of their customers and ensure the future competitiveness and viability of their business.  For more information, visit https://acaconnects.org/