The United Kingdom government has laid secondary legislation under the Media Act 2024 to bring major streaming platforms, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+, under Ofcom’s Broadcasting Code for the first time, subjecting them to the same content standards as traditional TV broadcasters like the BBC and ITV. Services with over 500000 UK users qualify as tier 1 video on demand platforms, facing rules on harm, offence, impartiality, accuracy, fairness and child protection, with viewers able to lodge complaints directly to Ofcom for investigations.
Historically, Ofcom regulated linear TV and radio under the Broadcasting Act 2003 since 2003, while on-demand services operated under lighter video-on-demand codes from 2009. The EU Audiovisual Media Services Directive was transposed domestically, focusing on self-regulation with fines capped at 5 per cent of qualifying revenue but lacking proactive oversight. The 2024 Media Act, receiving royal assent in May 2024 after years of consultations dating to a 2022 white paper, closes this regulatory gap amid streaming overtaking live TV consumption, where 85 per cent of monthly users versus 67 per cent linear viewers per Ofcom data.
Viewer protections and penalties
Tier 1 services must adhere to standards mirroring Section 9 Broadcasting Code protecting against harmful, offensive material, ensuring news impartiality and fair privacy treatment, with Ofcom empowered for sanctions up to £250000 or 5 per cent revenue per breach, akin to linear precedents. Public service VoD like ITVX Channel 4 join Netflix trio, levelling competition where traditional outlets invest 3.5 billion pounds annually in original UK content versus streamers 1.5 billion per BFI.
Accessibility quotas mandated
Parallel accessibility code enforces subtitles on 80 per cent of catalogues, audio description on 10 per cent, signing 5 per cent within four years, interim targets two years, benefiting 18 million hearing impaired and 350000 visually impaired, matching PSB obligations since 1996 Broadcasting Act amendments. Smaller niche services are exempt light touch tier 2.
Industry and timeline
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy hailed strengthened audience safeguards fair industry field, with Ofcom public consultation imminent on codes effective by the end of 2026, post designation reports. Streamers face elevated compliance costs, content warnings, and parental controls mirroring PSBs, potentially curbing edgier fare amid EU Audiovisual Media Services Directive 2018 alignment.
This regime, evolving from the 2010s Netflix boom disrupting terrestrial dominance, ensures 21st-century viewing parity, bolstering the UK creative economy while safeguarding viewers across converged screens.