MultiChoice has taken a number of steps to normalise audio levels across adverts and programmes. However, there are still some cases where ads are louder than the shows they precede or\u00a0follow.<\/p>\n
Many people continue to complain about high ad volumes, and often blame MultiChoice for this frustration. This blame, though, may be misplaced.<\/p>\n
As far back as 2011 MultiChoice started to address the issue of louder advertisements with the advertising industry.<\/p>\n
At the time, MultiChoice said that while advertisement volume levels were higher than those of programming, the difference should not be big enough to force viewers to turn down the volume.<\/p>\n
MultiChoice added that the advertising volume levels of international channels were out of their control.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are able to normalise audio levels but we need to monitor the channel first. We also only control the audio on local channels,\u201d the company said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe do not control the audio on foreign channels, and only intervene if the audio is out of range\/too loud.\u201d<\/p>\n
In a more recent comment the company said the problem with higher ad volumes was not unique to MultiChoice. \u201cIt is a concern shared by broadcasters worldwide,\u201d the company said.<\/p>\n
MultiChoice tackled the issue by normalising audio levels across adverts and programmes. However, there are still instances where the audio levels differ as adverts are played across multiple channels.<\/p>\n
An industry expert, who asked not to be named, said MultiChoice does not intentionally have higher ad volumes. It is, he said, an industry-wide battle which is technically challenging to address.<\/p>\n
More information about advertisement loudness is available here: Loudness on adverts<\/strong><\/a><\/em><\/p>\nMore on DStv ad loudness<\/h3>\n