U.K. Streaming Platforms to Face Enhanced Regulation Under New Ofcom Oversight

Streaming platforms in the U.K., including major players like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+, are set to come under tighter regulation following new government legislation. The move will give the media regulator Ofcom expanded powers to monitor video on demand (VOD) services and investigate potential breaches of newly established standards.

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The Legislation: Extending Ofcom’s Authority

The U.K. government plans to add a new layer of legislation to the Media Act 2024, bringing streaming platforms under Ofcom’s regulatory umbrella in a similar manner to traditional broadcasters like the BBC and ITV.

Under the proposed framework:

Any video on demand platform with over 500,000 users will automatically be classified as a “Tier 1” service.
Tier 1 platforms will need to comply with a new video on demand standards code, mirroring the Broadcasting Code applied to TV and radio.
Ofcom will be empowered to accept viewer complaints, investigate potential breaches, and take action where rules are violated.

The code is expected to cover key areas such as:

Accuracy and impartiality of content
Protecting viewers from harmful or offensive material

This represents a major shift in how streaming platforms are regulated, moving them closer to the oversight traditionally reserved for broadcasters.

Public Consultation to Shape Rules

Before finalizing the standards code, the government and Ofcom will conduct a public consultation, allowing both viewers and streaming services to provide feedback on what the rules should entail.

This approach aims to balance consumer protection with the flexibility needed for online platforms, ensuring that streaming services are accountable while continuing to innovate.

Why Now: The Rise of Streaming

The legislative changes reflect the ongoing shift in media consumption in the U.K. As audiences move away from traditional TV, streaming services have become a primary source of video content.

According to the latest figures from U.K. ratings body Barb:

Live TV viewing dropped from 60% of total viewing in 2022 to 45% in 2025.
About one-third of viewers now turn to streaming platforms or YouTube as their first choice when using a TV.
Traditional broadcasters now capture roughly the same share of first-choice viewing as streaming, while the remaining third is miscellaneous content.

This dramatic shift demonstrates why regulators are taking a closer look at platform accountability, especially as streaming becomes central to public media consumption.

Impact on Streaming Platforms

For platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+, this new regime could have several implications:

Content compliance: Originals and acquired programming may need internal review to ensure alignment with Ofcom’s standards.
Viewer complaints handling: Streamers may need to establish processes for responding to potential breaches flagged by audiences.
Transparency reporting: Ofcom may require platforms to publish data or demonstrate compliance regularly.

While some may see these changes as a burden, others view them as a step toward leveling the playing field with broadcasters, ensuring that all providers meet consistent standards of quality and accountability.

Balancing Innovation with Responsibility

One challenge for regulators and streaming platforms alike will be ensuring that oversight does not stifle creativity. Unlike traditional TV, online platforms rely on diverse content libraries and global programming strategies.

The public consultation is expected to help clarify:

How impartiality rules apply to factual or entertainment content
How to define harmful material in an on-demand context
How enforcement measures can be practical and proportional

What This Means for Viewers

For audiences, enhanced regulation could translate into:

Greater confidence in content accuracy
Reduced exposure to harmful or offensive material
A clear avenue for raising complaints and seeing action taken

As streaming becomes the dominant form of viewing, these protections could ensure that the quality and integrity of content remain high, regardless of platform.

The Takeaway

The U.K.’s new legislation represents a major regulatory evolution for streaming platforms. By bringing Tier 1 VOD services under Ofcom’s watchful eye, the government aims to balance consumer protection with innovation, keeping pace with changing viewing habits.

For platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+, compliance will require adjustments in content management, complaints handling, and operational transparency. For viewers, it promises a safer, more accountable streaming environment, reflecting the central role of these platforms in modern media consumption.

With the public consultation underway, the exact scope of the rules is still being shaped—but one thing is clear: streaming in the U.K. is no longer a regulatory free-for-all.

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