Ofcom Granted New Powers to Regulate Major UK Streaming Services Under Media Act 2024

The British government has officially launched significant regulatory measures that bring major video-on-demand (VoD) platforms, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+, under the direct supervision of the media regulator, Ofcom. This strategic move, codified within the Media Act 2024, is designed to establish a unified regulatory environment as viewing habits across the United Kingdom undergo a fundamental transformation. Recent data indicates that monthly engagement with VoD services has climbed to 85% among the adult population, notably surpassing the 67% engagement rate recorded for traditional linear television.

Under the new framework, these platforms will be classified as "Tier 1 Services," a designation applied to any provider with more than 500,000 users within the UK. This category encompasses not only global giants but also domestic broadcaster-led services such as ITVX and Channel 4. Consequently, these platforms are now mandated to adhere to a rigorous new code of standards, mirroring the requirements long imposed on traditional broadcasters. This code specifically addresses critical issues such as news impartiality, factual accuracy, and the protection of audiences from offensive or harmful content. Historically, many prominent VoD services, such as the Amsterdam-based Netflix, operated without the same level of oversight as licensed television channels.

The regulator, Ofcom, has been granted expanded authority to investigate and respond to viewer complaints regarding the content hosted on these digital platforms. Should a service be found in violation of the established code, it faces substantial penalties. These sanctions include financial fines that can reach up to £250,000 per infraction or 5% of the service's relevant revenue generated within the United Kingdom. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy emphasized that these legislative updates are essential for bolstering audience protections and ensuring a fair competitive landscape between digital streaming platforms and legacy broadcasting corporations.

A pivotal component of this reform involves the introduction of stringent accessibility mandates. The newly established VoD accessibility code sets specific minimum thresholds: at least 80% of a service's entire catalog must feature subtitles, 10% must include audio descriptions, and 5% must provide sign language interpretation. These initiatives are expected to provide significant benefits to approximately 18 million individuals in the UK living with hearing loss, as well as 350,000 people with visual impairments. While the content standards code is set to take effect sooner, platforms have been granted a four-year window to achieve full compliance with accessibility requirements, with intermediate benchmarks scheduled for the two-year mark.

In the coming weeks, Ofcom is expected to initiate public consultations to refine and finalize both the content standards and the accessibility codes. This regulatory shift acknowledges that streaming has become an inseparable part of the UK’s cultural fabric, necessitating a modernized oversight structure that aligns with contemporary media consumption patterns. By bridging the gap between traditional and digital media, the government aims to ensure that the high standards of British broadcasting are maintained across all screens.