Is it a local thing? I have to crank up the volume to hear it. Than...of course, when I flip the channels, the wifey sprouts horns.

Yeah, uh, this is the oldest deal in the book, dude. They crank down the volume on the news, so that you have to turn it up to hear what's going on. Then, when you are leaving the room to pee or get the chips from the kitchen, the god-damn commercials are played at full volume; they chase you into the head.

Shitbirds. There ought to be a law...

I remember in 1987 a manufacturer wanted to come out with a videocassette recorder that would recognize the difference in sound levels and STOP RECORDING, on the logic that it was recording commercials. The advertisers went apeshit, ad the VCR never was sold on the open market.

They're not real happy about DVR either.

Quoted: Is it a local thing? I have to crank up the volume to hear it. Than...of course, when I flip the channels, the wifey sprouts horns.

I've noticed that, too. It seems to unique to them as I don't notice it elsewhere. Wish I had the answer for you.

same with the history channel for me.

Quoted: Yeah, uh, this is the oldest deal in the book, dude. They crank down the volume on the news, so that you have to turn it up to hear what's going on. Then, when you are leaving the room to pee or get the chips from the kitchen, the god-damn commercials are played at full volume; they chase you into the head. Shitbirds. There ought to be a law... I remember in 1987 a manufacturer wanted to come out with a videocassette recorder that would recognize the difference in sound levels and STOP RECORDING, on the logic that it was recording commercials. The advertisers went apeshit, ad the VCR never was sold on the open market. They're not real happy about DVR either.

+1

News sells advertising time... plain and simple

Who is your provider?  There should be equipment at the provider level that keeps volume at a steady level.  +4dB is the standard I believe.