Streaming services are set to be regulated by Ofcom for the first time, under new government plans. Streamers such as Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+ will have to adhere to new rules as part of proposals to bring them in line with traditional broadcasters.
The plans have been revealed as part of the Government’s policy document outlining its vision for the broadcasting sector - which also reiterates the privatisation of Channel 4. Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said the reforms would enable British broadcasters to thrive.
She added: “Rapid changes in technology, viewing habits and the entrance of global players have introduced new challenges for British broadcasters. Against that backdrop of rapid change, we need to take action to support British broadcasters in meeting the most pressing of those challenges.”
What is Ofcom responsible for?
Ofcom - short for Office of Communications - is the government-approved regulator and competition authority for the UK’s broadcasting, telecommunications and postal industries. Established in 2002, it has wide-ranging powers to help it regulate TV and radio, fixed-line telecoms, mobiles, postal services plus the airwaves over which wireless devices operate.
It has a statutory duty to represent the interests of citizens and consumers by promoting competition and protecting the public from harmful or offensive material. In terms of broadcasting, Ofcom licenses all UK commercial television and radio services in the UK. Broadcasters must adhere to the terms of the licence or risk having it revoked. Ofcom also publishes the Broadcasting Code, a series of rules which all content on television and radio must follow.
What do the reforms mean for streaming services?
The executive summary of the policy document says that the plans aim to bring the ‘larger, TV-like video-on-demand (VoD) providers that are not currently regulated in the UK but who target and profit from UK audiences’ under Ofcom jurisdiction.
It adds: “We will also give Ofcom powers to draft and enforce a new Video-on-demand Code, similar to the Broadcasting Code, to ensure TV-like content, no matter how audiences choose to watch it, will be subject to similar standards. These changes will mean UK audiences will be better protected from harmful material and better able to complain to Ofcom if they see something they are concerned about.
“Respecting issues of free speech and proportionality, smaller, lower risk on-demand services in the UK will continue under existing rules.” Currently, the BBC iPlayer is the only VoD service which has to abide by Ofcom's Broadcasting Code.
Are the reforms popular?
The plans are likely to be welcomed by public service broadcasters (PSBs), who have lobbied for streaming services to face the same regulations as them for years. The government said the new rules will affect the VoD services like Netflix, Disney+ and Now, and would help ‘level the playing field’.
