Annoyingly Loud Commercials Are Banned Starting At Midnight

You know the scenario. You're laying on the couch, enjoying a late night episode of "Law & Order: SVU". The gang is off to investigate a perp, when suddenly your TV is screaming at you about magic towels or magic laundry detergent.

However, there is some relief on the horizon. Due to a number of complaints about screaming commercials, the FCC passed the CALM Act (Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation).

Starting at midnight tonight, a new rule goes in to effect that will require advertisements to be at the same volume as the programs they play during. The Federal Communications Commission will be responsible for enforcing the new rule.

The FCC has provided a Q&A website. They also have a hotline (1-888-TELL-FCC) so that you can report offenders.

So if you don't fall asleep with a DVD menu on repeat first, you can rest assured that idiot talking about selling your old phone won't blast you out of a sound sleep.