The British government has taken a decisive step to to bring order to the growing market of streaming platformsThe UK has announced that platforms such as Netflix, in the midst of an expansion processAmazon Prime Video, Disney+ and other on-demand services will be subject to rules very similar to those already followed by traditional television networks, such as the BBC.
This change comes in a context where On-demand content consumption has clearly surpassed live televisionTwo-thirds of the country's households subscribe to at least one major streaming service, and according to official data, 85% of the population uses some on-demand platform every month, compared to 67% who still watch linear television.
Why the UK is focusing on Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+
The British government believes that the current situation creates a regulatory imbalance between traditional channels and online platformsWhile licensed television broadcasters must adhere to Ofcom's broadcasting code and strict accessibility requirements, many video-on-demand services operate with more relaxed standards.
In practice, this means that The audience does not always have the same guarantees of protection depending on where you view the content, even though the user experience is similar: turn on the screen and choose a program, series or movie.
The Ministry of Culture, Media and Sport has emphasized that Especially children, young people and families are massively turning to streamingleaving aside traditional channels. For the Government, this change in habits requires updating the legal framework to prevent a significant portion of audiovisual consumption from falling into a kind of regulatory "no man's land".
Culture Minister Lisa Nandy has acknowledged that The way we watch television has changed radicallyWith millions of people alternating or even completely replacing traditional TV with video-on-demand platforms, the decision has been made to strengthen Ofcom's role and extend its reach to these types of services.
Which streaming services will be subject to the new rules
The British government's plan sets a clear threshold: Platforms with more than 500.000 users in the UK will be covered by the new frameworkIn practice, this includes major international players in the sector, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+, as well as other services that reach that user base in the country.
The objective is that These services are integrated into the Ofcom broadcasting code.placing them on a level playing field with mainstream channels. It's not just about news content, but also about how viewers are protected from potentially harmful or offensive material.
At the same time, the Executive emphasizes that the measure seeks to create more balanced competitive conditions between traditional broadcasters and digital platformsUntil now, television broadcasters had to comply with obligations that their internet rivals could circumvent thanks to their different distribution methods.
With this change, large international platforms operating in British territory will have to answer to the regulator in a similar way to national channels, something that could serve as a reference for other European countries that are studying similar formulas.
Impartiality in reporting and protection against harmful content
One of the central axes of the reform is the demand for rigor and impartiality in news contentThe platforms included in the new framework must ensure that the news they broadcast is accurate, verifiable, and presented without undue bias, following similar parameters to those already applied to the BBC or other networks.
Furthermore, the Ofcom code states that The audience must be protected from harmful or offensive material.especially when it may affect vulnerable groups such as minors. This encompasses everything from age ratings and content warnings to the way sensitive topics are presented, as shown in cases of Channel closures due to fake trailers created with AI.
The new regulatory regime will allow Ofcom to receive and investigate user complaints about content hosted on these platformsIf the regulator determines that there has been a breach of the rules, it may impose corrective measures to prevent such practices from recurring.
The tools available to Ofcom include financial penalties that could reach up to £250.000 per infringement, an amount intended to discourage platforms from ignoring the obligations set by the regulations.
At the same time, the Government insists that the approach is not intended to censor legitimate content, but aligning the rules of the game regarding security and editorial responsibilityso that the viewer receives a consistent level of protection regardless of the screen or service they use.
Accessibility: subtitles, audio description and sign language
Another pillar of British reform focuses on the accessibility for people with visual or hearing disabilitiesThe Ministry of Culture, Media and Sports proposes the creation of a new specific code that will set mandatory minimums for all platforms included in the regulatory framework.
According to the announced guidelines, streaming services will have to ensure that at least 80% of your catalog is subtitledThis is a key measure for people with hearing problems, but also useful for those who consume content in environments where they cannot activate the sound.
Furthermore, the platforms will be required to offer audio description in at least 10% of their titlesso that users with difficulty or total loss of vision can follow what is happening on screen through additional narration.
The package is completed with the requirement that 5% of the catalog incorporates sign language interpretation, making it easier for deaf sign language users to access more content on equal terms.
For the British government, these obligations represent an important step towards so that everyone can enjoy a greater volume of content without barriersand also send a message to the entire European audiovisual sector about the importance of accessibility as a basic right.
A change of model that could set a trend in Europe
The UK's decision is part of a broader debate on How should large video platforms be regulated in Europe?Although each country maintains its own laws, increasing harmonization through EU directives has opened the door to more homogeneous frameworks.
In practice, the British measure shows that a state can to apply a similar level of rigor to traditional television in the digital environment as wellwithout hindering innovation or competition, but raising the bar for citizen protection.
For markets like Spain, where there is also concern about the Expansion of on-demand services and their impact on national chainsThe British case can serve as a reference when designing or revising audiovisual regulations, taking into account debates on 17 days for Warner Bros movies.
Furthermore, the commitment to strengthening accessibility aligns with the priorities of the European Union, which has been promoting it for years. laws aimed at ensuring that digital services are usable by the greatest possible number of people, including those with disabilities.
In a context where digital consumption continues to grow, the UK initiative could to accelerate the debate in other European countries on the need to give more power to regulators and extend the logic of public service to the ecosystem of global platforms.
With this regulatory shift, the United Kingdom is attempting to adapt its audiovisual framework to the current reality: an environment in which streaming has ceased to be a complementary service and has become the center of entertainment in millions of homes, and in which it is considered essential that audience protection, informational impartiality, and accessibility apply with the same firmness to both conventional television and on-demand services.
