Ofcom wants you to help shape the future of subtitles and signing on Tier 1 on-demand services.
We know progress can feel slow when you’re facing everyday barriers – missing subtitles, limited signing, inaccessible content. We haven’t stopped pushing Ofcom to get the subtitle and signing quotas in place.
The Media Act 2024 was the result of years of campaigning. Change happens because supporters like you, pushed for it over the years.
For years on-demand services haven’t had to meet the same accessibility standards as traditional TV. That is something we have all been working to change and that campaigning led to the Medica Act.
In 2024, new rules were passed that require major on-demand services to meet accessibility quotas:
- 80% subtitling
- 10% audio description
- 5% signing
These rules apply to Tier 1 on-demand services with over 500,000 UK users including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, ITVX and Disney+.
What happens next?
Before these quotas come into force, Ofcom needs to consult on their proposed Tier 1 Accessibility Code, the rules that set out how on-demand services will meet these requirements.
They’re asking for your feedback to tell them what you think the quotas should look like. This is a key moment. Have your say.
What’s being proposed
Ofcom’s consultation includes proposals such as:
- Interim quotas that Tier 1 services must meet before the quotas come into effect.
- Higher subtitling expectations for BBC services.
- Ensuring quotas are met across every platform that a service is available on.
- Requiring services to actively promote accessible content.
The consultation closes at 5pm on Friday 7 August 2026.
Take part in a way that suits you
This is your opportunity to influence what happens next. You can respond to the 12 consultation questions in a way that works for you:
- Complete the consultation form online on the Ofcom website.
- Email a completed consultation response form to [email protected].
- Respond in British Sign Language –
- Send a video (up to 5 minutes) via email in a WMV file type or QuickTime file to [email protected]
- Upload your video response to YouTube or another video sharing platform and email the link to [email protected].
Read the full consultation document
Watch information about the consultation in British Sign Language.