Biographical Information
Costa Nikols
Executive-Team Strategy Advisor, Media & Entertainment, Telos Alliance
Costa Nikols is Executive-Team Strategy Advisor, Media & Entertainment, Telos Alliance.
Articles for Costa Nikols
California’s Streaming Loudness Law: Time for Ad Tech to Rethink Audio Control
20 Mar 2026
A familiar broadcast rule is now entering the streaming world with California's new loudness regulation SB 576, mandating that advertisements must match the perceived volume of the primary content surrounding them. The goal is to eliminate the sudden volume spikes viewers experience during ad breaks. On paper, it's a win-win: audiences get a better viewing experience, and advertisers know their message is landing without jarring. But implementing that rule in streaming is far less simple than it sounds.