California bans loud streaming ads after baby’s nap gets disrupted

California has officially made it illegal for streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video to air commercials louder than the shows they accompany. 

Governor Gavin Newsom signed the new bill, SB 576, into law on October 6, 2025, establishing the first-ever volume regulation for streaming platforms.

The law expands on a 2010 federal rule that limited ad volume on cable and broadcast television but did not cover online streaming. The Federal Communications Commission had reported a “troubling jump” in noise complaints as digital ads became increasingly disruptive. With California’s major role in the entertainment industry, experts believe this policy could soon become a nationwide standard. Streaming companies have until July 2026 to comply.

Interestingly, the bill was inspired by a real-life incident involving a baby named Samantha. State Senator Tom Umberg shared that his legislative director, Zach Keller, was repeatedly frustrated when loud streaming ads woke up his infant daughter. “This bill was inspired by baby Samantha and every exhausted parent who’s finally gotten a baby to sleep, only to have a blaring ad undo it,” Umberg said.

Initially, the legislation faced opposition from entertainment groups such as the Motion Picture Association and the Streaming Innovators Alliance, which represent major studios including Disney, Paramount, and Netflix. Their concerns faded after lawmakers added legal protections shielding companies from private lawsuits, leaving enforcement to the California attorney general.

The law’s passage marks another consumer-friendly milestone for California — ensuring quieter nights, calmer homes, and happier parents.