UK to Put Streaming Giants Under Ofcom's Regulatory Thumb
Britain plans to expand Ofcom's powers to regulate streaming platforms with over 500K users under updated Media Act.
The UK government is gearing up to tighten its grip on streaming services. The plan: update the Media Act 2024 to slap "enhanced regulation" on any streaming platform with 500,000 or more users in the country.
Under the proposed changes, media regulator Ofcom would gain expanded authority to investigate these platforms directly. That's a significant power-up for the watchdog, which has traditionally focused on broadcast television and radio.
The 500K user threshold means this isn't just aimed at the obvious giants. Any streaming service with a meaningful UK audience could find itself under Ofcom's microscope.
For platforms operating in Britain, the message is clear: the era of light-touch regulation for streamers is ending. Ofcom is coming, and it's bringing paperwork.