Ofcom Streaming Services: ofcom streaming services to face broadcast-style rules for Netflix, Disney+ and Prime Video
Ofcom streaming services are being brought under a broadcast-style regulatory regime that will place Netflix, Amazon’s Prime Video and Disney+ under the same scrutiny applied to traditional broadcasters. The change, implemented as part of the Media Act 2024, will set rules on impartial news, harmful or offensive material, accessibility and complaints handling.
Ofcom Streaming Services oversight powers
The new regime gives Ofcom the power to accept and investigate complaints from viewers about content on streaming platforms and to take action where it finds breaches. Regulators will be able to impose fines of up to £250, 000, or 5% of revenue generated in the UK, for each breach.
Who is covered and thresholds
Legislation will apply to video-on-demand services that have more than 500, 000 UK viewers and to services with more than half a million users, meaning the UK’s biggest VoD platforms will be automatically designated a "Tier 1" service. That designation brings platforms under a new VoD standards code similar to the Broadcasting Code followed by broadcasters such as the, ITV and Sky News.
Platforms and public service catch-up services
Streaming giants named for enhanced regulation include Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+, and the change also applies to public service broadcaster video-on-demand offerings such as ITVX and Channel 4. VoD services provided by the, such as iPlayer, will continue to be regulated under the Broadcasting Code the Framework Agreement for now, but will later be brought under the VoD standards code.
Content standards and accessibility
Under the rules, platforms will have to adhere to regulations relating to accurate and impartial news reporting and to protecting audiences — particularly children — from harmful or offensive material. The legislation also extends accessibility requirements, such as subtitles, which previously applied only to licensed television channels; many of the UK’s most popular streaming services were not regulated to that standard and some were not regulated in the UK at all.
Context, reach and usage figures
Until now, only licensed TV channels had to comply with Ofcom’s broadcasting code and accessibility requirements; Netflix in particular has not been regulated in the UK at all because its European headquarters are in Amsterdam and it has therefore come under Dutch laws. The UK government said two-thirds of UK households subscribe to at least one of the three biggest streaming services — Netflix, Prime Video or Disney+ — and that 85% of people use an on-demand service each month, compared with 67% who watch live TV.
Officials' comments and policy intent
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the changes reflect how viewing habits have shifted and argued the updated framework will strengthen protections for audiences and create a level playing field for industry. She added that "millions now choose to watch content on video-on-demand platforms alongside or, in the case of many young people, instead of traditional TV. " Nandy also said the Media Act introduced vital updates that the government is committed to implementing and that bringing the most popular VoD services under enhanced regulation will support a vibrant media sector that continues to innovate and drive growth across the UK.
Complaints, enforcement and next steps
Audiences will be able to complain to Ofcom and, if the regulator considers there has been a breach of the code, it will have the power to investigate and take action. Any VoD platform designated Tier 1 will be expected to meet the new VoD standards code and to follow the same or similar rules on content and accessibility as traditional broadcasters.
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Implementation will proceed under the Media Act 2024 and will begin by designating qualifying services and applying the VoD standards code to Tier 1 platforms.
