They have just banned my ultimate peeve!!! I wish someone would do something about it here too…

Advertisers will have to turn down the volume
ROME (Reuters) – Italy’s government plans to clamp down on broadcasters turning up the volume when they show advertisements in order to get viewers’ attention.

Communications Minister Paolo Gentiloni said research showed Italy’s three main channels on average raised the volume on adverts by 50 percent compared with ordinary programming, even though this is banned under Italian law. It is usually done by networks in agreements with advertisers in order to try keep viewers glued to the screen during the publicity breaks.

“We need to stop television advertising that raises its voice,” Gentiloni told a news conference. He said Italy’s media watchdog would set up a fine system before the end of September for those found breaking the law.