Netflix threatens to pull content in the UK due to new policies

The UK’s new bill on neutrality and control of the streaming sector has put Netflix and other platforms on the defensive.

If the recent setbacks plaguing the broadcasting sector weren’t enough, the British Parliament is considering a new bill Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, will monitor and sanction any “harmful” content provided by broadcasters. Both Netflix and the rest of the platforms are on the right track, of course.

The action strives to be the platform’s original content equal to the control that traditional TV broadcasts receivealso under the umbrella of Ofcom.

The content will be audited to “adapt to current public policies”, but it will be retroactive, so it affects every film, series Documentary from the catalog of Netflix, Prime Video, Disney + and any other streaming service.

Naturally, the platforms have taken this measure very badly: diversity is the key to the success of streaming services and this measure “distorts” in such a way that the ability to have a more inclusive offer. Although the focus of the defense has been placed on another point.

Netflix and UK streaming services are resisting

As stated in Delivery timeNetflix argued in a five-page document sent to Culture, Media and Sport Committee of the British Parliament Streaming services should not be equal to traditional channels by mere viewer format.

When we watch traditional TV, we run the risk of encountering inappropriate and/or harmful content, but streaming services offer mechanisms to avoid suffering from this experience while searching for a series or films.

Netflix also makes it clear that to comply with these measures, it requires a Continuous auditing of service catalog flowBecause the law changes from day to day. Disney He spoke as much, as did Warner Bros. Discovery.

Failure to comply with this measure, if the law has entered into force, means Fines of up to £250,000, which is something Netflix and Disney, not the streaming service, want to agree to. In fact, Netflix has suggested that it is more profitable for them to remove content preemptively than face punishment from the controlling body.