Britain has announced that streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ must adhere to regulations regarding content and accessibility that are equivalent to those imposed on traditional broadcasters like the BBC.
According to government reports, a majority of households, specifically two-thirds, have chosen to subscribe to a prominent streaming service.
Additionally, statistics show that 85 percent of individuals opt to utilize an on-demand platform on a monthly basis, in contrast to the 67 percent who prefer watching live television programs.
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Incorporating the services under the jurisdiction of the regulator, Ofcom, through its broadcasting code, would safeguard audiences from detrimental content and guarantee the availability of accessibility features such as subtitles.
Streaming platforms with over 500,000 users in the UK will be required to comply with recently introduced regulations. These regulations stipulate the importance of reporting news accurately and impartially, as well as safeguarding audiences from potentially harmful or offensive content.
Ofcom will possess the authority to conduct inquiries and implement measures in cases where a violation of the code is believed to have occurred, as stated in the announcement. The government is in the process of introducing secondary legislation to enforce laws that gran Ofcom the authority to receive viewer complaints and conduct investigations on streaming platforms, similar to its current practices with broadcast television.
According to the updated regulations, video-on-demand platforms with over 500,000 users will be classified as a "Tier 1" service, requiring them to comply with a new set of VoD standards similar to those followed by traditional broadcasters like the BBC and ITV.
Plans are in place for BBC UK VoD services to eventually align with the VoD standards code alongside other Tier 1 services. Until this point in time, only authorized television channels were required to adhere to the Broadcasting Code and accessibility mandates set forth by Ofcom.
However, numerous leading streaming services in the UK were not held to the same level of regulation, with certain services operating without any oversight in the country. The objective of the recently enacted legislature is to guarantee the accurate and unbiased reporting of news, as well as safeguard audiences from content that may be considered objectionable or injurious.
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Viewers have the option to file complaints with Ofcom, and if it deems that there has been a violation of the regulations, it possesses the authority to respond with appropriate measures. A public consultation will be held to develop a standard code for video-on-demand services, providing an opportunity for both the public and content providers to express their opinions on the content that should be incorporated. The regulatory standards will be implemented one year following their publication by Ofcom.