Government confirms broadcast genre regulation for Netflix, Disney+ and others

The UK’s biggest video-on-demand services will have to follow the same rules on content and access as traditional broadcasters under new legislation being implemented.

Streaming giants also include Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+, and catch-up services such as ITV X and Channel 4 are being brought under enhanced regulation by Ofcom.

This means they have to follow the media watchdog’s rules regarding impartial news reporting and harmful and objectionable content.

it currently does with broadcast television.

The law would affect streaming services with more than 500,000 UK users, giving Ofcom the power to accept viewer complaints and investigate streaming platforms, as it currently does with broadcast television.

It will also apply to public service broadcaster (PSB) video-on-demand (VoD) services, such as ITVX and Channel 4.

VOD services provided by the BBC, such as BBC iPlayer, will continue to be regulated under the Broadcasting Code through the BBC Framework Agreement for now but will later be brought under the VOD Standards Code.

Until now, only licensed television channels had to comply with Ofcom’s broadcasting code and access requirements such as subtitles, meaning that many of the UK’s most popular streaming services were not regulated according to the same standard. Some were not regulated at all in the UK.

Under the new rules, any video-on-demand platform with more than half a million users will automatically be designated a “Tier 1” service, bringing them under a new VOD standard code, similar to the broadcasting code adopted by traditional broadcasters such as the BBC, ITV and Sky News.

The new law aims to ensure that news is reported accurately and fairly and that audiences – especially children – are protected from “harmful or objectionable” content.

Viewers will be able to complain to Ofcom, and if it believes the code has been breached, it will have the power to take action.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said, “We know the way audiences watch TV has fundamentally changed.

“Millions of people now prefer to watch content on video-on-demand platforms rather than traditional TV, in the case of many young people.

“The Media Act introduces important 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 viewers, creating a level playing field for the industry and supporting our vibrant media sector, which is driving innovation and growth across the UK.”

A public consultation will follow to establish the video-on-demand standards code, giving the public and streamers the opportunity to have their say on what should be included.

The standard code will become effective one year after it is published by Ofcom

The move comes as a growing number of viewers are abandoning traditional television for on-demand streaming platforms.

According to Ofcom’s 2025 Media Nations report, two-thirds of households subscribe to at least one of Netflix, Amazon Prime Video or Disney+; 85% use an on-demand service every month, while 67% watch live TV.

earlier this month, Sky announced that it will be Bringing together Disney+, Netflix, Hayu and HBO Max. For the first time under one subscription.