Leading streaming platforms will be subject to increasing regulation in the UK

Streaming platforms will be subject to more regulation in the UK following the release of the Government’s new draft Media Bill, which aims to enable public service broadcasters to better compete with the leading streaming services.

According to the local authorities, Britain’s biggest broadcasters will get new privileges and freedoms to make more hit shows and better compete with global streaming giants. The draft Media Bill will enable public service broadcasters such as the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, STV and S4C “to unleash their potential to grow, produce more top quality British content and invest in new technologies to keep viewers tuning in amid fierce competition from subscription-based online platforms,” the draft says.

TV-focused measures include bringing mainstream video-on-demand services consumed in the UK – such as Netflix and Disney+ – under a new Ofcom content code, “to protect audiences from a wider range of harmful material – such as misleading health claims.”  The latest research from Ofcom indicates that traditional linear TV viewing is down more than 25% since 2011, and 68% among 16-24s.

The draft Bill also includes action to ensure video on demand viewers can more easily discover public service broadcast services such as BBC iPlayer and ITVX on smart TVs, set-top boxes and streaming sticks. It also contemplates new rules to make video on demand content more accessible to those with seeing and hearing impairments.

The Government considers that the new laws will introduce simpler, more flexible rules on what TV programmes public service broadcasters are required to show, meaning these broadcasters – who commission around £1.2 billion in programming each year, with almost all of it spent in the UK – will be better equipped to adapt to changing viewer habits as people increasingly watch TV on digital devices instead of traditional linear TV.

“Technology has revolutionized the way people enjoy TV and radio. The battle to attract and retain audiences has never been fiercer. 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, All4 and ITVX are easy to find however you watch TV,”  said Lucy Frazer, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport of the United Kingdom.