• Trending: Tesla sues California DMV over the term ‘Autopilot’ Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2026 is Feb. • 25 Apple event on March 4: What to expect Hands-on with Google’s Pixel 10a iPhone Fold: All the rumors so far Netflix, Disney+, Amazon’s Prime Video and other major video on-demand (VOD) streaming services are set to face stricter regulation in the UK. • Platforms with a monthly average of more than 500,000 UK viewerswill be deemed"Tier 1" services that are subject to similar oversight as broadcasters like the BBC and ITV under the eye of media watchdogOfcom. • Streaming services run by public broadcasters like ITVX and Channel 4 will have to abide by the new rules as well. • BBC services such as iPlayer are exempt for now as they’re regulated under the Broadcasting Code, which broadcasters have to adhere to. • That said, the UK government plans to update the BBC Framework Agreement so that iPlayer is regulated in the same way as Netflix et al.

Article Summaries:

  • The UK government is tightening oversight of major video‑on‑demand services. Platforms averaging more than 500,000 UK viewers per month will be classified as “Tier 1” and will come under Ofcom’s regulatory regime, similar to broadcasters such as the BBC and ITV. The new VOD standards code will cover accuracy, impartiality and protection against harmful content, with penalties of up to £250,000 or 5 % of revenue per breach. A separate accessibility code will require 80 % of catalogues to be subtitled, 10 % with audio description and 5 % with sign language, to be met within four years. The BBC’s iPlayer is currently exempt but may be brought in later. A public consultation will shape the code, which will take effect a year after Ofcom publishes it.

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