The UK government has announced the introduction of new requirements for video-on-demand (VoD) providers.
VoD services with more than 500,000 subscribers will be subject to new standards and accessibility codes, overseen by Ofcom.
The government said it wants to create a more level regulatory playing field and ensure that UK audiences “can be confident that protections from harmful material are in place, whether they tune in via traditional channels or a mainstream on-demand service”.
The UK’s culture secretary Lisa Nandy will designate the most popular VoD platforms with more than 500,000 UK users as ‘Tier 1’ services, meaning they will need to adhere to new rules that ensure news is reported accurately and impartially and audiences are protected against harmful or offensive material. Audiences will be able to complain to Ofcom if they see something concerning, and Ofcom will have powers to investigate and take action, where they consider there has been a breach of the code.
Speaking about the plans, Nandy said: “We know that the way audiences watch TV has fundamentally changed. Millions now choose to watch content on video-on-demand platforms alongside or, in the case of many young people, instead of traditional TV.
“The Media Act introduced vital updates to our regulatory framework which this government is committed to implementing. By bringing the most popular video-on-demand services under enhanced regulation by Ofcom, we are strengthening protections for audiences, creating a level playing field for industry and supporting our vibrant media sector that continues to innovate and drive growth across the UK.
As part of its announcement, the government also revealed plans for new legislation that will aim to widen accessibility on VoD services.
Ministers will create a new accessibility code in line with the Ofcom regulations in place for traditional broadcasters around subtitling, signing and audio descriptions. Public service broadcasters, including ITVX and Channel 4, will also have to comply with the requirements, ensuring the most popular services can be enjoyed by everyone, said the government.
Under the secondary legislation, which will implement the Media Act 2024, mainstream streaming services will have to ensure at least 80 per cent of their catalogue is subtitled, along with audio description for 10 per cent and signing for five per cent.
Media minister Ian Murray commented, “With UK audiences increasingly favouring on-demand platforms over live TV, we want to ensure that no one is left behind, and that everyone can enjoy the huge range of content available on video-on-demand services.
“Implementing a new Ofcom-regulated accessibility code for our largest video-on-demand services will give people with disabilities impacting their sight or hearing peace of mind that they’ll be able to stream all their favourite films and TV shows long into the future.”
