UK Audiences to Benefit from Stronger Content and Accessibility Rules for Streaming Services
Audiences of the largest and most popular streaming services will, for the first time, be afforded stronger protections – similar to standards they know and trust from broadcast television – under Ofcom’s draft new Codes.
The Media Act granted Ofcom new powers to create and enforce a new content standards Code for ‘video-on-demand’ services – commonly known as streaming services. The aim was to level the regulatory playing field between streaming services and traditional broadcasters, so viewers receive similar protections, regardless of how and where they watch.
Ofcom’s draft Code, published for consultation, introduces a range of new rules governing major streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+. These platforms will, for the first time, be held to content standards similar to those already in place for traditional broadcasters. That includes rules around harmful and offensive content, fairness and privacy, and due impartiality and due accuracy in news.
Alongside this, Ofcom are consulting on a proposed new Code setting strict new accessibility requirements for streaming services. This will ensure that more than 18 million people with disabilities impacting their sight or hearing can enjoy this content using subtitles, audio description and signing.
Consistent protections however audiences choose to watch
Historically, streaming services have not been regulated to the same standard as traditional broadcasters leaving viewers with inconsistent protections when watching across different platforms. Some streamers – including Netflix – which are not based in the UK, have fallen outside Ofcom’s regulation entirely, even though they target and profit from UK audiences.
I am one of the editors here at www.systemtek.co.uk I am a UK based technology professional, with an interest in computer security and telecoms.