The U.K. government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, is preparing to introduce the Media Bill to the parliament in London in the upcoming legislative period. This much-debated bill aims to include regulations for streaming services, aligning them with the standards set for TV networks, as announced in the first King’s Speech delivered by King Charles III on Tuesday.
The King’s Speech, which is prepared by the government but read by the monarch, outlines the various legislative priorities that the government intends to pursue in the new parliamentary session.
The Media Bill is expected to address various aspects, including regulations for streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+. These services will be required to adhere to the code of conduct set out by the media regulator Ofcom. Failure to comply could result in fines of up to £250,000 ($308,000) or restrictions in the U.K. The bill is an extension of rules that have long been applied to national broadcasters, ensuring that harmful material is regulated.
The conservative U.K. government had initially proposed some of these plans in a white paper unveiled by then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson in 2022. However, the details of the Media Bill regulations have since evolved.
The primary objective of the bill, according to the government, is to better protect children by implementing similar standards for streaming services as those applicable to traditional TV networks. The bill aims to ensure that standards are upheld on video-on-demand services through a new Video-on-demand Code, which will be drafted and enforced by Ofcom.
While the government sees these regulations as a necessary step to safeguarding viewers, streaming platforms have raised concerns about the potential impact on commissioning decisions and the content available to consumers. For example, Netflix has warned that it may need to preemptively remove certain films and TV series from its U.K. service to avoid contravening the new regulations.
On the other hand, traditional broadcasters have expressed support for the Media Bill, asserting that it will ensure a level playing field and promote the prominence of their content.
Notably, ITV CEO Carolyn McCall commended the inclusion of the Media Bill in the King’s Speech, emphasizing the importance of public service broadcasters being able to invest in high-quality British content.
Similarly, Stephen van Rooyen, CEO of Sky U.K. & Ireland, welcomed the government’s plans, highlighting the importance of ensuring that public service broadcasters and commercial broadcasters can continue to strike the right deals to benefit viewers with the best of British content.
Caroline Dinenage, the chair of the Culture, Media, and Sport Committee in the House of Commons, also stressed the vital role of the Media Bill in supporting public service broadcasters and ensuring access to live radio on smart speakers.
In addition to the Media Bill, the King’s Speech also mentioned plans to abolish a part of press regulation. According to The Guardian, the intent is to repeal a law that currently holds newspapers liable for the legal costs of both sides in libel cases, regardless of the outcome.
Overall, the introduction of the Media Bill and its proposed regulations for streaming services has sparked a significant debate between industry stakeholders. As the government moves forward with the legislative process, it is poised to address the challenges and opportunities presented by the evolving media landscape, with the aim of safeguarding the interests of both broadcasters and viewers.