UK's Ofcom Proposes New Accessibility Rules for Video-on-demand Platforms

12:01 AM EST, 02/25/2026 (MT Newswires) -- The UK Office of Communications, or Ofcom, is introducing new regulations requiring video-on-demand services to expand accessibility features, including subtitling, audio description, and signing, for viewers with disabilities. Under the secondary legislation implementing the Media Act 2024, Ofcom will require streaming platforms, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+, as well as public service broadcasters such as ITVX and Channel 4, to meet accessibility standards similar to those applied to traditional broadcasters. A new VoD accessibility code will mandate that mainstream streaming services ensure at least 80% of their total catalogue is subtitled, 10% is audio-described, and 5% is signed.