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Publication

Media Act Tracker

12 May 2026 United Kingdom 3 min read

On this page

    Welcome to CMS’ interactive regulatory tracker. Here you will find resources, links and up-to-date information on the Media Act and the UK’s media regulatory landscape. The Media Bill became the Media Act in May 2024. On this Tracker, you will find the Latest News, CMS' Insights, and all other things Media Act! Do bookmark this page as we will be updating it regularly and sharing commentary. Stay tuned!

     

    Latest news

    26 March 2026 – The Media Act: What’s happened and what’s next

    Since the Media Act 2024 (the “Act”) received Royal Assent in May 2024, Ofcom has been steadily building out the regulatory framework that will reshape how UK audiences access and experience public service broadcasting, on-demand content, radio and other media services. Over 18 months on, the foundations have taken shape but there is still a lot to be done.

    23 March 2026 – All things VoD: Key developments 

    According to DCMS data two-thirds of households now subscribe to at least one of Netflix, Amazon Prime Video or Disney+, and 85% of viewers use an on-demand service each month compared to 67% watching live television. This shift is the reason the Media Act 2024 (Act) imposes a requirement for major Video On-demand (VoD) services to be subject to enhanced regulation from Ofcom (i.e. over and above the level of regulation that applies to On Demand Programme Services (ODPSs) more generally).

    6 March 2026 – Channel 4's in-house production: Ofcom sets the ground rules

    The Media Act 2024 (the “Act”) signalled the end of the long-standing publisher-broadcaster restriction against Channel 4, enabling it to establish an in-house production company for the first time in its 43-year history. This marks a significant shift in the UK broadcasting ecology as Channel 4 (“C4C”) will, for the first time, compete directly with the independent producers that have historically been its lifeblood. This is where the Statement of Commissioning Policy (“SoCP”) is set to serve an important role, acting as the guardrail designed to preserve fair competition and protect the independent production sector from being squeezed out by Channel 4's own nascent studio. 

     25 February 2026 – Prominence and accessibility on connected TV platforms: draft code and guidance

    One of the key drivers of the Media Act was the requirement to update the public service broadcaster (“PSB”) prominence regime to include prominence of PSB apps on connected TV platforms, reflecting modern day viewing habits. The implementation of this element of the Act is progressing.

    Key topics

    Channel 4 reforms

    Revised prominence regime

    Changes to listed events

    VOD regulation

    Regulation of radio services

    PSB reforms

    Timeline

    • 10 September 2025

      Ofcom published a consultation setting out its proposal for a new licence condition in multiplex operators’ licences where licensees will be required to publish up to date “rate cards” showing the charges for radio stations wishing to broadcast via their multiplex. The consultation will close on 4 November 2025.

    • 22 July 2025

      Ofcom published a consultation setting out how it has assessed television selection services and its draft recommendations to the Secretary of State for designations under Part 2 of the Media Act 2024. The consultation will close on 16 September 2025.

    • 1 July 2025

      Ofcom launched a consultation on its proposed licence conditions and new guidance in relation to the broadcasting of local news and information by local analogue commercial radio stations.

    • 20 June 2025

      Ofcom launched a consultation on it proposed draft guidance for Channel 4 Corporation on the preparation of its Statement of Commissioning Policy. The consultation closed on 1 August 2025.

    • 13 June 2025

      Ofcom launched a consultation on listed events. The consultation closed on 8 August 2025.

    • 6 and 15 May 2025

      The Department for Culture, Media and Sport and Ofcom published, respectively, two draft statutory instruments and a consultation to implement changes concerning production quotas set out within the Media Act 2024.

    • 15 May 2025

      Ofcom published its final Statement of Principles and Methods which it intends to follow when recommending which services should be designated as radio selection services by the Secretary of State.

    • 23 April 2025

      Ofcom published its final Statement of Principles and Methods which it intends to follow when recommending which services should be designated as regulated television selection services by the Secretary of State.

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    • 11 February 2025

      Ofcom published two consultations, focusing on updates to the PSB Programme Policy guidance and the designation of PSB internet programme service. The consultation period closed on 25 March 2025 and, on 22 July 2025, Ofcom published its final statements.

      Read more here and here

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    • 4 February 2025

      Ofcom launched a consultation on radio selection services. The consultation closed on 18 March 2025.

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    • 27 January 2025

      Ofcom launched a consultation on proposed revisions to its guidance for public service broadcasters concerning the PSBs’ Commissioning Codes of Practice. The consultation closed on 10 March 2025 and, on 22 July 2025, Ofcom published its final guidance.

      Read more here and here

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    • 11 December 2024

      Ofcom opened consultations on TV selection services and radio licence renewals. The consultation period has closed.

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    • 14 November 2024

      The Internet Television Equipment Regulations 2024 came into force.

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    • 17 October 2024

      The Media Act 2024 (Commencement No. 2 and Transitional and Saving Provisions) Regulations 2024 came into force.

    • 26 August 2024

      The Media Act 2024 (Commencement No.1) Regulations 2024 came into force.

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    • 24 May 2024

      The Media Bill is given Royal Assent and officially becomes the Media Act 2024.

    • 28 February 2024

      The Media Bill completes its second reading in the House of Lords and enters the Committee Stage.

    • 31 January 2024

      After three readings in the House of Commons and review by the Public Bill Committee, the updated Media Bill is introduced to the House of Lords.

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    • 8 November 2023

      The updated Media Bill is introduced to the House of Commons by the Government.

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    • 7 November 2023

      King’s Speech announces Media Bill will be on Government’s parliamentary agenda.

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    • 22 September 2023

      On 22 September 2023, the DCMS Select Committee published its final report on the draft Media Bill.

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    • 21 July 2023

      The DCMS Select Committee publishes its report on the draft Media Bill’s measures for UK radio.

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    • 4 July 2023

      The DCMS Select Committee hears oral evidence from Ofcom, Voice of the Listener and Viewer, and representatives of the DCMS.

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    • 29 June 2023

      The Government releases its Impact Assessments of the draft Media Bill.

    • 27 June 2023

      DCMS Select Committee questions Amazon, Netflix, Sky and Google.

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    • 20 June 2023

      DCMS Select Committee hears oral evidence from the BBC, S4C, MG Alba, Radiocentre and UK Community Radio Network.

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    • 6 June 2023

      DCMS Select Committee hears oral evidence from executives at ITV, Channel 4, and Channel 5.

    • 26 May 2023

      The DCMS Select Committee publishes written evidence submitted by industry stakeholders on the draft Bill.

    • 19 April 2023

      The DCMS Select Committee begins the consultation period on the draft Bill, inviting comments from industry stakeholders.

    • 29 March 2023

      Eleven months after releasing the White Paper, the Government publishes the Draft Media Bill.

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    • 28 February 2023

      The House of Commons library publishes a new briefing note setting out the policy background to the forthcoming Media Bill.

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    • 5 January 2023

      The Government announces that Channel 4 will not be sold.

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    • 15 November 2022

      The Government launches the "Listed Events: Digital Rights Review", to assess whether free-to-air listed events should be reformed so that PSB's are guaranteed rights to broadcast certain events of national importance on their digital platforms rather than just on traditional TV.

    • 18 July 2022

      The Government publishes its response to its consultation regarding the privatisation of Channel 4.

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    • 30 May 2022

      CMS publish a LawNow entitled “Broadcasting White Paper: the Government’s vision for a “New Golden Age”.

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    • 28 April 2022

      The Government publishes a White Paper setting out its vision for the broadcasting sector, together with its response to its consultation regarding audience protection standards.

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    Frequently asked questions

    What is the status of the Media Act?

    On Friday 24th May 2024, the Media Bill was given Royal Assent and officially became the Media Act 2024. There are some formal steps remaining, with most parts of the Media Act set to come into force on a date to be determined by the Secretary of State (whoever that will be). We will update our Media Act Tracker with more information as these steps are finalised and as Ofcom travels through its “roadmap”. For more information, see our article here.

    What is an Impact Assessment?

    A Regulatory Impact Assessment is a systematic process used by the Government to evaluate the potential impacts of proposed regulations before they are implemented. The purpose is to assess the costs, benefits, and potential risks associated with new regulations, thereby ensuring that the Government makes well-informed decisions that take into account the potential effects on businesses, individuals, and society as a whole. To see CMS’ analysis of the Government’s Impact Assessments of the Media Act, click here. 

    What is a white paper?

    White papers are policy documents produced by the Government that set out their proposals for future legislation, providing a basis for further consultation and discussion, before a Bill is formally presented to Parliament.

    Does the Media Act cover FAST channels?

    Free Ad-Supported Television (“FAST”) channels deliver free TV content to viewers via Internet Protocol television networks, supported by advertising. The Media Bill does not make specific reference to the regulation of FAST channels, meaning that FAST channels will continue to fall under (or in most cases, outside of) existing regulations.

    As FAST channels are expected to make up 20% of the UK’s ad-supported video market by 2027, the issue of FAST channel regulation will likely continue to be a topic of discussion and we may see FAST channels regulated in the future under additional legislation. Last year, the Government ran a consultation focused on electronic programme guides (“EPGs”), asking for inputs on which EPGs should be regulated. The approach for defining which EPGs are regulated will impact the types of services that appear on them (including FAST Channels), as channels that feature on regulated EPGs require an Ofcom licence. We are awaiting the result of the consultation but will update our Media Act Tracker when further information is published.

    How does a bill become law?

    A bill can start in the Commons or the Lords and must be approved in the same form by both Houses before becoming an Act (law). Click here for further information.

    Who is the current culture secretary?

    Lisa Nandy was appointed Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on 5 July 2024.

    I have more questions about the Media Act, who can I contact?

    The CMS team are available to answer your questions and help you navigate through the changes to the UK’s media landscape brought about by the Media Act. Click the Contact Us box below to reach out. 
     

    Key contacts

    Portrait of John Enser
    Partner
    John Enser
    TMIC Practice Group Leader
    London
    Portrait of Victoria Gaskell
    Partner
    Victoria Gaskell
    UK Media Team Leader
    London
    Portrait of Sam Oustayiannis
    Partner
    Sam Oustayiannis
    London
    Portrait of Selina Potter
    Partner
    Selina Potter
    Head of Broadcasting
    London
    Portrait of John Cloke
    Partner
    John Cloke
    Head of Sport
    London
    Portrait of Eliza Cohen
    Senior Associate
    Eliza Cohen
    London
    Portrait of Rachel Smart
    Rachel Smart
    London

     

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