Following the publication of the Government’s new draft Media Bill, streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video will be susceptible to more regulation in the United Kingdom.
The platforms will now fall under the jurisdiction of Ofcom, the UK media watchdog that presently regulates both public and private broadcasters. According to a press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport (CMS) just before the most recent draft of the bill was shared, the new Ofcom “content code” is intended to “protect audiences from a wider range of harmful material – such as misleading health claims.”
The adjustments are made as technology and changing viewing habits quickly alter the demands and procedures of the screen sectors.
In order to ensure that public service broadcasters like the BBC and ITV’s on-demand services, such as iPlayer and ITVX, are simple to find on smart TVs, the draft Media Bill has added new protections for them.
According to Culture Minister Lucy Frazer, “technology has revolutionised the way people enjoy TV and radio.” “The battle to attract and retain audiences has never been more fierce. British content and production is world leading but changes to viewing habits have put traditional broadcasters under unprecedented pressure. These new laws will level the playing field with global streaming giants, ensuring they meet the same high standards we expect from public service broadcasters and that services like iPlayer and ITVX are easy to find however you watch TV.”
