Ofcom has issued an update on its work to implement the Media Act 2024.
The Act is the first major update to UK media legislation for 20 years and has introduced new rules, modernised many of the existing ones, and reflects significant changes in audience habits, with on-demand platforms, streamers, and connected devices now central to how people access and enjoy content. The aim is that it will help to deliver benefits for viewers and listeners as well as helping the broadcasting sector to thrive and evolve.
Protecting audiences on more platforms
As video-on-demand (VoD) services have grown in popularity, the Media Act introduced a new framework to make sure audiences are protected from harm wherever they choose to watch. While UK-based on-demand services have been regulated since 2010, the rules that Ofcom enforces cover a narrower range of issues than those in the Broadcasting Code. The Media Act will apply to the most popular VoD services in the UK, adapting the Broadcasting Code rules designed for broadcast programming to ensure they are suitable for on-demand services.
In May 2025 it sent a report on the UK market for on-demand programme services to the UK government. This will help the government to designate the services that the new rules apply to. In November 2025, it published a review of audience protection measures such as age ratings and content warnings provided by VoD services, alongside research to understand what audiences think about them.
The UK government has confirmed that services which have more than 500,000 average monthly users in the UK will be in scope of the new rules. Following their designation on 1 April, Ofcom will consult on a proposed VoD Code.
Ensuring access to content
Under the Media Act, Ofcom has duties to make sure content is accessible to disabled audiences on newer services, mirroring existing regulations for traditional broadcast services. In January 2026 it consulted on proposals about how providers of connected TVs can improve the experience of disabled people when they are using on-screen menus and finding shows that are accessible to them. It will consult on a new Accessibility Code for VoD services, setting out the level of accessible programming they are expected to provide and how they should do so.
Ensuring public service media deliver for audiences
Public service media (PSM) is highly valued in the Uk. However, the market and audience expectations have changed dramatically over the last two decades. Viewers now have easy access to global services like Netflix and YouTube for vast content libraries and personalised experiences, and to watch content whenever they choose. At the same time, the public service broadcasters (PSBs) (the BBC, ITV, STV, S4C, Channel 4 and Channel 5) face rising content costs and declining income from advertising and the TV licence fee. The Media Act contains provisions aimed at making sure that PSBs can continue to connect with audiences. It introduced new rules to make them prominent on connected TVs, and updated long-standing regulations aimed at supporting the PSB system into the future.
Last year, Ofcom updated its rules for PSBs, so they can now use their on-demand players and online services to deliver public service content. This included updates about how the PSBs can meet programme quotas; updated guidance on commissioning from independent producers; and updated guidance on how the PSBs report on their delivery. In October 2025 it finalised guidance for Channel 4 now that it can produce content in-house for the first time.
In December 2025 it made recommendations on which connected TVs should be in scope of new requirements to make PSB players and their content prominent.
In January 2026 it launched a consultation on a new code of practice and guidance for how providers of services can comply with the new prominence requirements.
It also published updated rules for ‘listed events’ (certain sporting and other events of national interest) in January 2026.
Ofcom’s role is to designate the PSB players in scope of the new prominence rules. Following its assessment of applications, it will consult on its decisions. It will publish its final code of practice and guidance for providers in scope of the new prominence rules later this year.
Ensuring regulation reflects modern listening habits
Listening habits have also changed dramatically. The Media Act brings voice-activated platforms, such as smart speakers into regulation for the first time. It also made changes to remove outdated rules for commercial radio services, while protecting and strengthening local news.
In October 2025 Ofcom published draft recommendations on which voice-activated platforms should be in scope. These followed the principles and methods it developed earlier in the year. It has also published a statement on the new local news requirements that apply to local commercial radio. It will now update and re-issue all relevant licences.
What’s next?
In the spring Ofcom will publish its final recommendations on which platforms should be designated under the new regulations for voice-activated platforms. It will then consult on a new draft Code of Practice for the designated platforms on how they can comply with their new duties.
Ofcom has also published a roadmap with the next steps being:
- Final recommendations to Secretary of State on designation of Radio Selection Services
- Consultation on the Code for ‘Tier 1’ Video-on-Demand providers, setting out content standards
- Consultation on the Accessibility Code for ‘Tier 1’ Video-on-Demand providers
- Consultation on dispute resolution guidelines applying to the prominence regime.
