Committee publication · Correspondence · 3 March 2026
Letter from Rt Hon Ian Murray MP, Minister for Creative Industries, Media and Arts, regarding Designating Tier 1 video-on-demand services and updating the description of electronic programme guides, 24 February 2026
From: Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Inquiry: The work of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Summary
Minister Ian Murray updates Parliament on implementation of the Media Act 2024 through two forthcoming statutory instruments: designating Tier 1 video-on-demand services (those with 500,000+ UK users, including Netflix and Amazon Prime) for broadcast-style regulation, and updating electronic programme guide (EPG) definitions to bring newer TV guide services and ~70 additional channels under Ofcom oversight. A third instrument on prominence for public service broadcaster on-demand services will follow later in 2026.
Key findings
- Government will designate VoD services with over 500,000 UK users as 'Tier 1', expected to include 20+ major platforms (Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+), bringing them under Ofcom's Broadcasting Code and accessibility requirements (subtitles, audio description, sign language).
- EPG regulations will extend regulatory scope to newer TV guide services (Sky Glass, Freely) and close loophole where some TV guides fall outside regulation; estimated to bring ~10 EPGs and ~70 additional TV channels within Ofcom's remit.
- Government will introduce prominence regime requiring designated TV platforms to carry and promote public service broadcaster on-demand apps, with platform designations to follow Ofcom's final advice issued 16 December 2025.
- Ofcom will conduct public consultation on new codes for Tier 1 services before implementation, allowing audience and provider input on regulatory standards.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Ian Murray MP, Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Ofcom, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Sky
Notable line
“… many popular video-on-demand services are not subject to the same level of regulation, and in some cases, not regulated in the UK at all.”
Key Quotes
“How audiences watch television has changed rapidly over the past decade. On-demand viewing is now central to how people access content, offering greater choice and flexibility than ever before.”
“In designating services with more than 500,000 UK users, the government has taken a proportionate approach that balances the need for audience protections and accessibility features being available on the most popular VoD servicers, without placing a disproportionate burden on smaller services which reach fewer people …”
“Following designation, Ofcom will consult publicly on the new codes, providing an opportunity for both audiences and providers to contribute to the development of the rules.”
“Subject to a very small number of exemptions, any television channel accessible through a regulated EPG will fall under Ofcom's remit, and will be required to hold a broadcast licence.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗