Britain has announced plans to place its biggest video-on-demand (VoD) platforms under a strengthened regulatory framework administered by Ofcom, the government said on Tuesday. Secondary legislation will put the largest services into a newly created "Tier 1" class as part of implementation of the Media Act 2024, aligning streaming services more closely with the rules that apply to traditional broadcasters.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport stated that platforms with more than 500,000 users in the UK will fall into Tier 1. Named examples in the government notice include Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, with other services such as Disney+ and public service broadcaster VoD services including ITVX and Channel 4 also affected. The proposed framework will require these providers to meet standards similar to those for licensed television channels.
Officials highlighted a shift in viewing habits as a central reason for the change. Two thirds of households now subscribe to at least one of Netflix, Amazon Prime Video or Disney+, the government said. Citing Ofcom’s Media Nations 2025 report, the announcement noted that 85% of people use an on-demand service each month, compared with 67% who watch live television.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy described the reforms as a response to how the public consumes video content. "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," she said. "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."
Standards and enforcement
Under the new regime, Tier 1 providers will be required to follow a VoD standards code that is modelled on the existing Broadcasting Code. The measures set out will cover a range of obligations: accuracy and impartiality in news coverage, protections against harmful or offensive material, and safeguards relating to privacy and fairness. Members of the public will be able to bring complaints directly to Ofcom, which will have authority to investigate and determine whether breaches have occurred.
Statutory sanctions currently available to linear broadcasters will be extended to video-on-demand services. For breaches, the maximum fine will be either £250,000 or 5% of qualifying revenue. The government said the standards code will come into force one year after it is published.
Accessibility requirements
A separate VoD accessibility code will impose specific catalogue targets intended to improve access for people with disabilities, particularly those affecting hearing or sight. Providers will be required to ensure that at least 80% of their catalogue is subtitled, 10% is audio-described and 5% is signed. Tier 1 platforms will have four years to meet the full set of accessibility targets, and there will be interim milestones after two years.
The government noted that some major services are expected to reach compliance ahead of the deadlines. Ofcom will begin public consultations on both the standards code and the accessibility code shortly, allowing viewers and providers to submit feedback before the rules are finalised.
Process and next steps
The secondary legislation implementing the Media Act 2024 is the mechanism by which the government will bring these changes into force. Ofcom’s forthcoming consultations will set out draft codes and invite comment from stakeholders. Once published, the standards code will take effect one year later, and the accessibility timelines will operate with the two- and four-year milestones described above.
The announced changes are designed to harmonise obligations across different types of services, give audiences clear routes to complain, and advance accessibility for users with sensory disabilities. The consultation phase will determine the detailed drafting of the codes and give industry and the public the opportunity to influence how the rules are applied.