Canadians irked by loud commercials

OTTAWA, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- A Conservative member of Canada's Parliament has introduced a bill requiring broadcasters to control the loudness of television commercials.

Bill C-621 would require station officials to ensure the volume of commercials is consistent with the level of the program being broadcast, Postmedia News reported.

Canadians are "sick and tired of having to reach for the remote control every time a commercial comes on their TV," said Nina Grewal, who introduced the bill Thursday.

"It's a common complaint. You're watching a program at a comfortable volume. The program breaks for a commercial and suddenly you're jolted out of your seat by the loudness," Grewal said. "While it may seem a small irritant, it's a daily stress that could and should be relieved from the shoulders of Canadians."

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission said the disparity in volume levels between a program and a commercial can be caused by several factors, including "ad production techniques, contrasting sound levels and steps involved from creating a TV program and watching it."

Parliament was expected to discuss the bill in March.