Streaming in the Spotlight: How the Online Safety Act Could Change What We Watch

The UK’s Online Safety Act is already one of the most sweeping pieces of internet regulation in the world. Designed to make the online world safer, especially for children, it places new duties on digital platforms to tackle harmful and illegal content. So far, its reach has been felt by social media platforms, video-sharing services, search engines, and adult content providers. But with new rules coming into force, the focus is shifting: streaming platforms and video-on-demand services are next in line.

What Has the Online Safety Act Changed So Far?

The Act has already reshaped the way some of the biggest tech platforms operate in the UK. Social media giants like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram now face legal duties to remove illegal content quickly and protect younger users from harmful material. Ofcom, which oversees the Act, has also required stricter “age assurance” systems on sites where children could be exposed to explicit or harmful content.

Online pornography providers have been directly targeted, with obligations to block under-18s unless robust age verification is in place. Search engines, meanwhile, have been tasked with reducing how easily harmful content can be discovered. Even niche sites, such as forums and community-driven platforms, have had to carry out risk assessments and change their moderation practices.

Are Streaming Services Already Covered by the Act?

Until recently, streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video sat largely outside the Online Safety Act’s framework. Instead, they were regulated separately under a “video-on-demand” system, which was lighter in scope.

That changed in July 2025, when the old video-sharing platform regime was repealed and its rules folded into the Online Safety Act. This means that platforms previously regulated under those rules now fall squarely under the Online Safety Act’s duties, including obligations to tackle illegal content and protect children. While this primarily hit platforms such as Twitch, YouTube, and TikTok, the shift has opened the door for traditional streaming services to face similar scrutiny.

Why Is the Government Interested in Regulating Streaming Platforms?

Streaming services have become the default way people consume television and film in the UK. With millions of households relying on them daily, the government argues that it is only fair that they face similar standards to traditional broadcasters.

A consultation launched by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) asked whether platforms such as Netflix should meet rules on fairness, privacy, and accuracy. These are already applied to public service broadcasters like the BBC, ITV, and Channel 4. The aim is to create a “level playing field” between old and new media, especially as younger audiences increasingly prefer streaming over linear TV.

What Might Change for Viewers?

If the proposals go ahead, viewers could see stricter content standards applied to streaming services. That might mean clearer age ratings, better content warnings, and stricter controls over what children can access. There could also be rules ensuring content is not misleading or harmful, especially in documentary or factual programming.

Another area under discussion is “discoverability.” Public service broadcasters have raised concerns that UK-made content is being buried beneath international shows on streaming platforms. New rules could require services to make UK programming more visible, much as TV guides once gave prominence to BBC and ITV schedules.

Could Smaller Streaming Platforms Be Affected Too?

Yes. While much of the debate focuses on household names like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, the Online Safety Act does not only apply to global giants. Any platform making content available to UK audiences could fall under the scope, including niche services and independent VoD providers.

This raises questions about whether smaller platforms will be able to afford the compliance costs. Age verification, moderation, and discoverability systems are expensive to build and maintain. Some critics fear that the rules could stifle innovation or even push smaller providers out of the UK market.

What Does This Mean for the Future of Online Entertainment?

For viewers, the changes could result in safer and more transparent streaming experiences, especially for families. For companies, however, the Online Safety Act represents another layer of compliance, on top of licensing agreements, regional rights, and international regulations.

Streaming services are watching closely as Ofcom develops its new Video-on-Demand Code. The final rules will determine how far they must go to meet broadcaster-style standards. If the UK is seen as too restrictive, some services could scale back their UK operations, while others may choose to double down on compliance and market it as a badge of safety.

Could the UK Become a Model for Other Countries?

The UK is one of the first major markets to apply such sweeping safety legislation to both social platforms and, potentially, streaming services. Other countries are observing closely. If the system works, the Online Safety Act could become a template for regulating streaming platforms globally. But if the rules are too heavy-handed, there is a risk of backlash from both companies and users, who may see it as a threat to choice and creativity online.

The Online Safety Act has already reshaped the digital landscape in the UK, forcing major platforms to rethink how they moderate and present content. Streaming services are now next in line for regulation, and while the full impact remains to be seen, the direction of travel is clear. The days of streaming being a free-for-all are ending. What replaces it will be a more regulated, safety-focused environment that balances protecting users with preserving freedom of choice.