United Kingdom: Adopted Ofcom’s Guidelines on Providing Television and On-Demand Access Services

On 15 April 2024, the United Kingdom's Office of Communications (Ofcom) adopted updates to the Ofcom TV Access Services Code and guidelines on providing television and on-demand access services. These changes aim at improving the quality and usability of access services for consumers with disabilities, including consumers who are deaf, blind or have sight loss. The guidelines have been expanded to include video-on-demand providers such as ITV X and Channel 4, as well as subscription services like Now and Amazon Prime Video. The updates clarify that broadcasters must ensure access services meet quality standards and mandate proactive communication with viewers.