Netflix Threatens Show Removal Due to UK Streaming Regulations

Streaming internationally is facing some pretty big issues. The UK is currently trying to pass what they call The Media Bill, which applies specific regulations to streaming content. The bill requires streaming content to remain “impartial to the current events of the world,” with Ofcom acting as a watchdog for compliance.

This could be a significant problem for streaming services as well as series that make social commentary. In response, Netflix has threatened to remove a number of series and shows from Netflix UK. We never thought region-locking streaming would become a thing.

STRANGER THINGS. (L to R) Priah Ferguson as Erica Sinclair, Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson and Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair in STRANGER THINGS. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2022

Should this bill pass, this is the only alternative. At least for pre-existing shows, according to Netflix. The choice to remove content would be to avoid sanctions of up to £250,000. This could possibly include series like “Stranger Things,” “Black Mirror,” and numerous other offerings which all have strong stances on certain ‘current events of the world.’

“The range and variety of Netflix’s content, generally considered a strength of our offering in terms of maximising choice for British viewers, could equally become a potential source of risk from a compliance perspective if it fell within Ofcom’s remit,” Netflix said in a five page document filed with UK Parliament’s culture, media and sport committee. “Without considerably greater clarity around the scope and application of these provisions, it would inevitably be easier to remove content pre-emptively from our UK catalog than risk an onerous compliance burden and potential liability.”

While streaming platforms aren’t strangers to cutting series to cut costs, this bill would potentially create cutting programs due to regulation violations. If this bill goes through, it could set a bit of a frustrating precedent for streaming content internationally. Shows allowed in one country may not be allowed in another due to it being relevant to the current political and social climate. Which, in turn, could lead to content created to be “safe” and not for the purpose of promoting critical thinking or social commentary. Netflix demands greater clarity for what exactly this bill wants to restrict.