Have you ever settled in to watch a quiet movie, only to have a commercial suddenly explode through your speakers? That frustrating experience has become common as more households switch from cable television to streaming platforms with ad-supported plans. Beginning July 1, 2026, California’s new SB 576 law requires streaming services to keep commercial volume consistent with the programs they accompany, closing a loophole that had exempted many online platforms.
Governor Gavin Newsom said after signing SB 576, “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. By signing SB 576, California is dialing down this inconvenience across streaming platforms.”
