On Tuesday, the UK government declared that major streaming services, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+, will now be required to follow the same content and accessibility regulations that traditional broadcasters must adhere to, such as the BBC. This decision comes in light of the increasing reliance of British households on streaming platforms, with two-thirds of households subscribing to at least one major streaming service and 85% using subscription video services on a monthly basis. The government noted that 67% of Britons watch television broadcasts at least once a month.

The initiative aims to protect audiences from harmful content by bringing streaming services under the oversight of the regulatory authority Ofcom, which governs broadcasting standards in the UK. The regulations will ensure that these platforms not only provide content safely but also meet accessibility standards, including the provision of subtitles. The new rules will primarily affect streaming services that have over 500,000 users, thus significantly transforming the landscape of online content provision in the UK.

This move reflects the government's commitment to ensuring accurate and impartial news reporting on streaming platforms, a critical aspect of media responsibility. By holding these services accountable under the same framework as traditional broadcasters, the UK government hopes to both enhance the quality of content available to users and ensure greater audience protection, furthermore addressing growing concerns surrounding misinformation and content accountability in the digital age.