Imagine Communications launches DTS-powered loudness control for modular broadcast platforms

Broadcasters face increasing pressure to eliminate jarring volume shifts between programming and advertising. By moving from traditional intensity-based measurement to perceptual modeling, Imagine Communications addresses a persistent viewer pain point that simple peak-limiting cannot solve. This launch reflects a broader trend toward software-defined features in established hardware stacks, allowing operators to upgrade existing Selenio chassis to meet global standards like ITU-BS 1770. As streaming platforms adopt similar regulations, such as California's SB 576, maintaining consistent audio across fragmented supply chains is becoming a core operational requirement. Watch for whether this technology expands into cloud-native processing as workflows continue migrating away from on-premises hardware.

The emphasis on audio consistency matches a broader regulatory and consumer shift in 2026. In the United States, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) continues to enforce the CALM Act to prevent advertisements from exceeding the volume of adjacent programming. More recently, state-level regulations like California’s SB 576, enacted in early 2026, have extended these requirements specifically to streaming services and digital ad-tech providers, per Streaming Media coverage in March 2026. This has forced platforms to adopt more sophisticated normalization techniques that can account for the differences between professionally mixed content and programmatically delivered ads.

Technologically, the industry is moving toward perceptual and object-based audio to improve viewer experience. Recent consumer research from Xperi, the parent company of DTS, found in February 2026 that 97% of respondents prioritize dialogue clarity, yet current broadcast environments often fail to deliver it. Meanwhile, at the April 2026 NAB Show, Imagine Communications highlighted the growing need for "no-nonsense glue" in facilities transitioning to IP workflows. The integration of DTS technology into the Selenio Network Processor (SNP) and Media Convergence Platform (MCP) allows broadcasters to maintain compliance within these hybrid SDI/IP environments without sacrificing sound quality.

Furthermore, the competition for high-quality audio in streaming is intensifying as platforms like Spotify and Disney+ integrate immersive formats. Per DTS reports from January 2026, the launch of IMAX Enhanced sound on Disney+ has increased consumer expectations for premium audio at home. This shift is driving demand for production tools that can handle everything from 2.0 stereo to 5.1+2 multichannel mixes. These tools must ensure that even as audio complexity increases, the baseline perceived loudness remains uniform across different content types and delivery standards such as EBU R128 and ATSC A/85.