The UK government is moving ahead with a new regulatory framework targeting major on-demand streaming platforms. Services such as Crunchyroll, Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon are now under stricter oversight.
The measures introduce content controls and accessibility requirements that will directly affect how libraries are curated and presented to UK audiences. And that includes anime viewers. The Guardian highlights how the changes include new obligations for Tier 1 platforms.
Firstly, any material considered unclassifiable will need to be removed outright. Platforms will also be required to take active steps to prevent under-18s from ordinarily seeing or hearing specially restricted material. So, age-verification measures will accompany mature content offerings.
The distinction between 18 and R18 classifications is likely to matter for anime distributors. The British Board of Film Classification differentiates between the two, with R18 reserved for explicit works.
For example, High School DxD has been classified as 18 rather than R18, whereas certain hentai titles would fall into the R18 category. Significant portions of hentai, however, may not qualify for any classification at all due to their content.
Accessibility is another major component of the new regulatory framework for streaming platforms in UK
Platforms must ensure that at least 80% of their total catalogue is subtitled, 10% is audio-described, and 5% is signed. Services are also expected to continuously and progressively improve accessibility for people with disabilities.
For anime-focused services, the impact could be closely watched. Sony reported that Crunchyroll surpassed 130 million registered users globally in 2024, around the time it exceeded 15 million paid users. The paid subscriber figure is currently over 17 million.
The exact date when these new reforms will be implemented hasn’t been revealed yet. Although it doesn’t necessarily change anything for most viewers, the updated streaming regulations will bring parts of the online ecosystem closer in line with the longstanding offline standards.
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