Liam Daniel/Netflix
Ofcom today announced that streamer regulation in the UK will take another two years to fully come into force.
For the first time, the UK regulator has announced a roadmap for implementing a media bill that includes regulation of major US streamers, and will host roundtables on the topic over the next year and compile a report on the state of the VoD market. announced. for the government.
At the same time, Ofcom will begin work on a draft code (known as ‘Tier 1 services’) that will set out regulations and which streamers will be regulated.
Once the code is finalized, companies that fall under its provisions will have a 12-month grace period to become “fully compliant.” This means that full compliance is not required until 2026.
Ofcom said: “We propose to use this period to consult and finalize new procedures for handling and resolving complaints.”
One of the highlights of last year’s media bill was to bring US streamers under Ofcom’s regulatory framework, with penalties of up to £250,000 ($308,000) for breaking the rules. , or be completely restricted in the UK. About the harmful material that has been applied to public broadcasting for decades.
A government memo on the recent King’s Speech said the bill would “strengthen protections for children by applying the same standards to streaming giants that apply to television”.
Netflix and others have recently criticized the move, saying the impartiality rules could have a “chilling” effect on their desire to offer documentaries to viewers in the UK, for example. Netflix submitted a submission to the UK Parliament’s Culture, Media and Sport Committee earlier this year to pre-emptively remove movies and TV shows from its UK library to avoid running afoul of new regulations if rubber-stamped. However, Ofcom chairman Michael Grade opposed this in the final stages. Set work for November.
Meanwhile, Netflix has fully supported the bill, emphasizing its partnership with Ofcom and partnerships with local broadcasters for TV programs and other projects. bodyguard and Dracula. We are also the only streaming service to voluntarily apply BBFC age ratings to all content.
The long-awaited media bill will also introduce new standards of excellence for broadcasters, giving Channel 4 the opportunity to produce its own programming for the first time.
Regarding the latter, Ofcom today announced that it will begin a consultation on Channel 4’s new commissioning policy. It added that once Channel 4 has established its production operations, new obligations to promote fair commissioning will come into force. Indies had previously raised concerns that the move would sour relations between Channel 4 and third-party production units. goggle box In its 40-year history, it has relied solely on networks.
