Is it just me, or are there more television commercials these days on certain programs and sports broadcasts?

I, for one, find it very annoying and aggravating. Thank goodness for the remote control. I can either mute the commercial or, if I am watching two games at once, switch to the other one quickly. Unfortunately, there are often advertisements on both channels at the same time.

My wife Vicki and I TIVO a lot of the shows we watch. That way, we can fast-forward through the commercials. If not for doing that, I might not watch much regular television.

I have a short attention span. (If some of you have been around me, you have realized this.) I know good marketing practices tell the networks to saturate certain shows, sports or movies with ads. But seeing the same commercials over and over really does annoy me.

Not only are there the national advertisements, but also the regional and local commercials. There are a couple we see time and time again, and they just make me cringe.

Now I am susceptible to a good restaurant ad. Vicki can tell you: if I see something that looks tasty or enticing on TV, I will want to try that particular food item.

However, we all have limits, and seeing the same ads time and time again is frustrating.

Another thing that annoys me is that the volume on certain commercials obviously goes up several decibels. Now this is against Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules and laws.

I read online where the FCC received thousands of complaints about the volume of TV commercials. The FCC requires TV stations, cable operators, and satellite providers to ensure that commercials do not bring a sudden spike in decibels.

Under the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation (CALM) Act, broadcast, cable, and satellite TV providers are required to ensure that commercials “have the same average volume as the program.”

As someone who has worked in marketing and journalism, I know it is important for businesses and companies to run certain advertising campaigns and commercials. But there has to be a fine line.

Ads and jingles are catchy and tend to stick with those watching or listening. We all remember catchy slogans or musical jingles – even from our youth. You recognize them immediately when they air.

I guarantee that if I came up with a quiz on some of the most memorable slogans, jingles and commercials over the years, most of you would ace it.

Many TV viewers have certain commercials that they have grown to despise. I am certainly one of those. Perhaps we have just heard certain advertisements and some jingles one too many times. Maybe some of the recurring characters or spokespersons for the marketing campaign have worn out their welcome. (There is a certain local commercial I keep seeing that really makes me cringe. I will not say what it is, but I would bet money that many of you feel the same.)

Advertisements are essential, especially for media professionals. That is why I prefer my ads in print. If I do not want to read it, I do not have to. But if something catches my eye, or maybe a good sale or coupon pops up, then I am all in.

However, when you are trying to enjoy a good college basketball or football game, or maybe a good crime drama or comedy show on the tube, these commercials get old fast.

Many companies believe in repetitive advertising and marketing.

Yet there are certain products I do not care for and have no reason to watch or listen to their pitch.

I know the advertisements are what pay for these stations to keep going and to pay their many employees. But it is still exasperating to hear these loud ads over and over again.

I guess we will have to live with the many advertisements.

Once again, thank goodness for my remote control and the mute button!

(Kyle Lovern is a longtime journalist in the Tug Valley. He is now a retired freelance writer and columnist for the Mountain Citizen.)