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AIBU?

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Original poster

...to think that they DO turn the volume of the ads up between programmes

39 replies

CaptainTripps · 13/12/2013 17:30

I know I have sensitive hearing but this drives me nuts. No amount of technical babble will dissuade me that this is the case. It's just too loud.

Why? Just why would they do this? Does the tv company get cash incentives?

OP posts:
Shallishanti · 13/12/2013 17:31

yes, they do, am convinced and it drives me mad too

FunkyBoldRibena · 13/12/2013 17:31

The programmes are only there to entice you into watching the ads. I thought everyone knew that? They have been putting the volume up for the ads for decades.

Chottie · 13/12/2013 17:31

yes the ads are louder. I'm another who is always turning the volume up and down. I tend to record programmes and then fast forward through the ads now. Xmas Smile

princessalbert · 13/12/2013 17:32

Yes. Definitely.

I get very annoyed by it too.

Original poster
CaptainTripps · 13/12/2013 17:32

But why? Why, godammit?

OP posts:
WowOoo · 13/12/2013 17:33

They must do. It's incredibly annoying.

I never watch a commercial channel live.
Even if it's something I really want to watch I wait ten mins or so, so I can fast forward the ads.

ColdTeaAgain · 13/12/2013 17:34

To make us pay attention to whatever shite they're selling. Makes me turn over though.

ineedanexcuse · 13/12/2013 17:34

Of course they do -although they all swear blind its just the viewers perception. Rubbish and we know it.

They do it to draw attention to the screen you are walking away from to make the cup of tea that apparently we all do at every opportunity.

I keep the remote handy and put it on mute at the slightest hint of a noise above the acceptable level. But we rarely watch adverts these days as most of our watching seems to be on catch up or netflix.

Freddiefrog · 13/12/2013 17:36

Yes, I'm sure they do.

I'm forever turning the TV up and down

I don't watch much live TV these days, either download or Sky+ it

stinkysox · 13/12/2013 17:43

Yes they do, although they're not supposed to anymore. They're also brighter. I while ago I was living in the sticks & had o electricity for a while so we used a small generator. It could only power the fridge, a lamp & the tv but everytime the ads came on it would pack in! So definitely more power used during ads. Save power, forward the ads!!

Willowbear · 13/12/2013 17:45

I never watch anything live anymore on tv anymore because i can't stand the adverts. I wonder how I coped before sky+

MammaTJ · 13/12/2013 18:05

Yes they do, so I get revenge by muting! I don't hear any adverts!

HettiePetal · 13/12/2013 18:08

Yes, they definitely do. It's so that you can still hear them if you get up to go and make a cup of tea Hmm

Drives me fecking nuts. I'll be the one who decides what volume things are in my own home, thank you very much.

Finola1step · 13/12/2013 18:10

Yes, they do. Have been told its true and absolutely it is to draw your attention to the ad. not that DH works in TV and gets vv annoyed at this, oh no!

BerryChristmas · 13/12/2013 18:10

This is why we got Freeview+ - bliss !!

BitOutOfPractice · 13/12/2013 18:11

Do you know what annoys me more than them turning the ads up? It's all the bollocks they spout about them NOT turning it up like we are fucking idiots

FastWindow · 13/12/2013 18:14

I read somewhere that they are allowed to use the volume of the loudest sound in whatever program you are watching.

So I assume that means if there is applause or loud laughter, or a gun shot,that sets the bar for the advert volume iyswim.

I could be wrong though.

FastWindow · 13/12/2013 18:19

captaintripps they didn't have this problem in Boulder...

ouryve · 13/12/2013 18:24

They do. Some channels were told off for it about a decade ago, and toned it down, but it's definitely creeping up again.

snowed · 13/12/2013 18:35

Yes they do.

FetchezLaVache · 13/12/2013 18:42

They can and they do, I'm a translator and I did something about the EU Audiovisual directive a few years ago when they were considering banning it. Ah, here you go:

The EU has considered rules to prevent this, but finally rejected the idea for 2 reasons:

  1. EU directives are only supposed to lay down broad ground rules, not detailed rules on individual issues like sound levels.

  2. it would be technically difficult to enforce because:

•it's not easy to decide what the sound level of the accompanying programme is, as it can vary a lot within the same programme (think of action movies, for instance)

•the people who put blocks of advertisements together don't know when and in which programmes the advertisements will be screened

•imposing a maximum sound level would not really help, as this would not prevent the common practice of producers turning up the volume for the quieter parts of the adverts, to make the whole thing sound louder.

The 2007 Audiovisual Media Services Directive does not cover advert sound levels, but it does not stop national governments or self-regulatory organisations laying down rules for this.

decaffwithcream · 13/12/2013 18:43

They are passing legislation to forbid it in America.

ShowMeYourTARDIS · 13/12/2013 18:50

YANBU. I mute the TV and try and figure out what the ad is actually for. It's a bit of a game!

NoArmaniNoPunani · 13/12/2013 18:53

It's handy when I fall asleep in front of the telly, the loud ads wake me up

Original poster
CaptainTripps · 13/12/2013 19:05

fastwindow - a fellow aficionado? Was so excited to read your post.

Thanks, one and all (especially finola), for confirming my beliefs. I thought I'd be shouted down and told to stop being so ridiculous.

And that's v-e-r-y interesting, fetchez. I can now see why it might be tricky to enforce.

I am so sensitive to sound. I almost can't bear it.

OP posts: