The U.K.
The government consultation will explore VOD services being subject to similar rules as traditional linear broadcasters such as the BBC, ITV and Sky.
“We need to level the playing field and address one blatant disparity forcing traditional broadcasters to compete with one hand tied behind their backs,” said Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden, writing in The Times.
Of course, some have done an admirable job of introducing their own procedures, such as Netflix’s voluntary age ratings partnership with the BBFC.
“It’s a golden age for TV and I want to keep it that way.
Pointing out the difference between linear TV and streaming, Dowden wrote that the record numbers for the BBC police drama “Line of Duty,” where millions watched the show live, was the exception rather than the rule.
“Technology has transformed broadcasting but the rules protecting viewers and helping our traditional channels compete are from an analogue age.
The reviews of VOD services and Channel 4 are ahead of a broadcasting white paper due in the fall.