Benzinga·2026-02-24 13:35Regulatory Changes - The UK government has decided to bring streaming platforms under Ofcom's broadcasting code to protect audiences from harmful content and ensure accessibility services like subtitles are available [1] - Major streaming platforms must provide subtitles for at least 80% of their content, audio descriptions for 10%, and signed content for 5% [2] Streaming Trends - UK government data shows that two-thirds of households have at least one major streaming subscription, and 85% of people use an on-demand service monthly, compared to 67% who watch live television [3] Investment in UK Content - Netflix has invested $6 billion in the UK over the past four years, employing over 50,000 cast and crew and partnering with more than 200 producers to create popular British content, making it the company's second-largest investment market after the U.S. [4] Global Context - The UK government's decision comes amid significant changes in the global tech and streaming landscape, with reports of the U.S. State Department developing an online portal to provide access to content banned by European and other governments [5]