There’s that obnoxious Grand Island car salesman who says his deals are “Huuuuuge.” Vince Shlomi flogging the Slap Chop, the Shamwow, and now the Schticky (it’s some kind of lint roller). And throw in just about every pickup truck TV commercial you care to name.

They’re all going to have to dial it down thanks to a Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission order that came into effect Saturday. It requires Canadian broadcasters and television cable companies to set commercials at the same volume as the TV program they interrupt. Finally!

Advertisers trying to draw attention to their wares have long known that an easy way to jolt consumers into noticing is to simply crank up the volume. And people have, indeed, noticed.

More than 7,000 told the CRTC last year that they were fed up with the din. In response, the CRTC has ordered a welcome end to excessively loud ads.

Broadcasters, deaf to the pleas of the public, may not adapt right away. If so, viewers can contact the offending station and then complain to the CRTC if they fail to get satisfaction.

One way or another, broadcasters need to get this simple message: Shhh!

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