Ofcom Streaming Services face new accessibility and content rules
The government is moving to bring ofcom streaming services under tighter regulation, introducing an Ofcom‑enforced accessibility code and broadcast‑style standards for major on‑demand platforms. The plan combines new minimum accessibility targets with a designation process and enforcement powers intended to give viewers clearer protections.
Ofcom Streaming Services rules
The government is laying secondary legislation to implement the Media Act 2024, bringing the largest, most popular video‑on‑demand services in the UK under enhanced regulation by Ofcom. The move will create a new VoD accessibility code, enforced by Ofcom, which will set minimum requirements for accessibility features and bring the biggest services within a new video‑on‑demand standards code similar to the Broadcasting Code.
Accessibility targets and timelines
Mainstream streaming services will need to ensure that at least 80% of their total catalogue is subtitled, 10% is audio‑described, and 5% is signed. The government says these are minimum targets and fully expects VoD services to go further where possible. The largest, mainstream services will have four years to meet the requirements of the accessibility code, with interim targets after two years, though the government expects many services will meet the requirements earlier than required. Ofcom will shortly begin a public consultation on the new VoD accessibility code, offering the public and providers an opportunity to set out their views on the rules that will be within the codes.
Impact on Netflix and Disney+
Streaming giants specifically identified in the legislation include Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+, alongside broadcaster video‑on‑demand services such as ITVX and Channel 4. Any video‑on‑demand platform with more than 500, 000 users will automatically be designated a "Tier 1" service, bringing them under the new VoD standards code. Designation as a Tier 1 service will give Ofcom the power to accept viewer complaints and investigate streaming platforms in the same way it does with broadcast television.
ITVX, Channel 4 and
The changes will also apply to public service broadcaster VoD services 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. The government emphasises that while licensed television channels must already comply with Ofcom accessibility requirements, many of the UK's most popular VoD services were not regulated to the same standard and some were not regulated in the UK at all, creating potential barriers for disabled audiences.
Complaints, enforcement and Tier 1
The new legislation will require Tier 1 services to follow rules on accuracy and impartiality and to protect audiences, particularly children, from "harmful or offensive" material. Audiences will be able to complain to Ofcom and, if Ofcom considers there has been a breach of the code, it will have the power to take action. The government says bringing the most popular video‑on‑demand services under enhanced regulation by Ofcom will strengthen protections for audiences, create a level playing field for industry and support the media sector.
Context, consultation and audience trends
A public consultation on the VoD accessibility code will be opened by Ofcom shortly. The government frames the moves as a response to changing viewing habits: live TV viewing has fallen, with Barb finding it dropped from 60% to 45% of all viewing between 2022 and 2025. Barb also found that a third of audiences who turned on a TV set in the UK went to streaming platforms or YouTube as their first choice of viewing — the same number as those who went to traditional broadcasters. Variety notes the new rules will not apply to video‑sharing platforms such as YouTube, which are already subject to the UK’s Online Safety Act 2023.
The government highlights accessibility benefits for specific groups: the measures will benefit Britain’s estimated 18 million people who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus and 350, 000 who are blind or partially sighted so they can better enjoy content on demand. The government adds that with audiences increasingly favouring on‑demand platforms over live TV, it wants to ensure that no one is left behind.
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Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy is quoted as saying, "We know that the way audiences watch TV has fundamentally changed. " She added that "The Media Act introduced vital updates to our regulatory framework which this government is committed to implementing, " and that bringing popular VoD services under enhanced regulation by Ofcom will strengthen protections for audiences and support the media sector.
For now, the government will implement the Media Act 2024 through secondary legislation, with Ofcom to consult on the accessibility code and other VoD standards before enforcement begins.
Unclear in the provided context: the exact dates when Ofcom will open the public consultation and the specific interim target percentages at the two‑year mark beyond the minimum targets already stated.
