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UK Media Regulation Tracker

20 Apr 2023 (UPDATED: 13 Jul 2026) United Kingdom 3 min read
Welcome to CMS’ interactive UK media regulation tracker. Here you will find resources, links and up-to-date information on the UK media regulatory landscape, including the Media Act 2024. Please bookmark this page, as we update it regularly with our insights and commentary. If you have any questions about any of the information on this page, please get in touch!

 

Latest news

16 July 2026 - FAST Channels & the Future of EPG Regulation in the UK

FAST channels - free, ad-supported streaming channels delivered over IP - have proliferated rapidly, particularly across connected TV platforms. However, their regulatory status has for some time now depended on a critical distinction: whether the EPG on which they appear is “regulated” or “unregulated”. This distinction has created a regulatory gap. This article examines the current position, the Government’s proposals to address this gap, and what these developments mean for EPG providers and FAST channel operators alike.

23 June 2026 - Government consultation on a new direction for UK media

DCMS has published a wide-ranging Green Paper on the future of UK media, Watch this Space: A new strategic direction for UK media. The topics addressed in the Green Paper include prominence for trustworthy news, further measures to support the prominence of public service media content more broadly, the future of digital terrestrial television, and a potential shift towards a more platform-neutral approach to regulating TV-like content.

 

22 May 2026 - Media Act 2024: Ofcom releases the “Tier 1” Standards Code and Accessibility Code  

Last week, Ofcom released two long-anticipated consultations in connection with its implementation of Part 4 of the Media Act 2024 relating to on-demand programme services. The first consultation sets out Ofcom’s proposed Tier 1 Standards Code, whilst the second covers its proposed Tier 1 Accessibility Code (the “Codes”). 

 

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.

 

 

All News

Key topics

Channel 4 reforms

PSB reforms

Tier 1 VOD services

Listed Events

Regulation of radio services

Timeline

  • 23 June 2026

    Government consultation on a new direction for UK media

    DCMS has published a wide-ranging Green Paper on the future of UK media, Watch this Space: A new strategic direction for UK media. The topics addressed in the Green Paper include prominence for trustworthy news, further measures to support the prominence of public service media content more broadly, the future of digital terrestrial television, and a potential shift towards a more platform-neutral approach to regulating TV-like content.

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  • 14 May 2026

    Ofcom releases the “Tier 1” Standards Code and Accessibility Code

    Ofcom released two long-anticipated consultations in connection with its implementation of Part 4 of the Media Act 2024 relating to Tier 1 VOD services. The first consultation sets out Ofcom’s proposed Tier 1 Standards Code, whilst the second covers its proposed Tier 1 Accessibility Code.

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  • 25 February 2026

    Local news requirements for analogue commercial radio

    Ofcom published its statement and final guidance on new requirements for local news and information on local analogue commercial radio stations, following its consultation between April and July 2025.

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  • 24 February 2026

    Tier 1 service designation: Government statement and draft regulations

    The government published its statement on the designation of Tier 1 VoD services, alongside a Draft Statutory Instrument. The draft On-demand Programme Services (Tier 1 Services) Regulations 2026 (Draft Regulations) are scheduled to be laid in March 2026 and come into force on 1 April 2026. 

  • 29 January 2026

    Changes to the listed events regime

    Ofcom published a statement and consultation setting out how it proposes to implement the Media Act’s changes to the listed events regime.

  • 14 January 2026

    Draft Code of Practice for Regulated Television Selection Services

    OFCOM opened a consultation on a Draft Code of Practice for Regulated Television Selection Services and accompanying guidance on the “Agreement Objectives”. The consultation closed on 25 March 2026.

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  • 16 December 2025

    Designation of Television Selection Services

    OFCOM published its final report to the Secretary of State recommending which connected TV platforms, referred to as TSS, should be designated as “Regulated” TSS.

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  • 27 November 2025

    Ofcom’s review of Audience Protection Measures on On Demand Programme Services (“ODPSs”)

    Ofcom published the findings of its review of Audience Protection Measures on ODPSs. The findings are significant as they will inform the development of the forthcoming VOD Code and Accessibility Code for Tier 1 VOD services.

  • 27 November 2025

    Channel 4’s new Statement of Commissioning Policy

    Ofcom has published its final guidance and supporting statement for Channel 4 Corporation’s (“C4C”) new Statement of Commissioning Policy.  The guidance signals that Ofcom will closely scrutinise how C4C operationalises both separation and transparency in practice. 

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  • 14 November 2025

    Commercial radio licence renewals

    Ofcom released a statement clarifying the process for renewing local commercial radio licences under the Media Act’s new radio-related provisions.

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  • 16 October 2025

    Smart speaker platforms consultation

    Ofcom consulted on designating Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Siri as Radio Selection Services under the Media Act, citing their usership of over 700,000 in the UK as being of a sufficiently significant level to bring these platforms within Ofcom's regulatory perimeter.
     

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  • 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?

The Media Act 2024 received Royal Assent on 24 May 2024. While many provisions are already in force, a number of reforms continue to be implemented through secondary legislation, Ofcom consultations, codes and guidance. We will update this page with more information as these steps are finalised and as Ofcom travels through its “roadmap”. For more information, see our article here.

Does the Media Act cover FAST channels?

Free Ad-Supported Television (“FAST”) channels deliver free TV content to viewers via Internet Protocol television networks, traditionally supported by advertising. The Media Act 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 a significant proportion of the UK’s ad-supported video market, their regulatory treatment is likely to remain an area of focus. In February 2026, the Government published a summary of responses to its 2023 consultation on electronic programme guides (“EPGs”), setting out a two-stage approach to regulating currently unregulated EPGs and the channels appearing on them. Under stage 1, certain additional EPGs will be brought within the regulatory framework, meaning FAST channels appearing on those EPGs will need to obtain an Ofcom broadcast licence and will become subject to Ofcom's Broadcasting Code.  Under stage 2, the Government will consider more broadly how to regulate providers delivering similar and competing TV-like services, which may include FAST channels more generally. 

What's next?

Since receiving Royal Assent in May 2024, Ofcom has been steadily building out the regulatory framework under the Media Act 2024, with several consultations, statements and guidance published across prominence, VOD regulation, radio and listed events. For a detailed breakdown of the latest developments, read CMS' update here.

Looking further ahead, on 23 June 2026, the Government published a wide-ranging Green Paper, Watch this Space: A new strategic direction for UK media, setting out proposals for the future of UK media regulation, including prominence for trustworthy news, further measures to support the prominence of public service media content more broadly, the future of digital terrestrial television, and a potential shift towards a more platform-neutral approach to regulating TV-like content. Read CMS' analysis of the Green Paper here. 

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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