Regulation and Long Form TV Drama: Fact-finding

Learner Resource 3

Regulation and Long Form TV Drama: Fact-finding 

Regulation topic

Relevant information

Topic 1 - The regulation of global practices of production, distribution and circulation https://www.marketwatch.com/story/what-netflix-comcast-and-others-are-saying-about-the-fccs-plan-to-end-net-neutrality-2017-11-22 https://www.forbes.com/sites/nelsongranados/2017/01/25/only-top-video-streaming-services-are-likely-to-survive-in-the-trump-era/#1cdb8af13319 https://www.reuters.com/article/us-netflix-asia/in-asia-netflix-trips-on-regulation-content-and-competition-idUSKCN0XJ0BZ

Those opposed to the reversal say getting rid of the protections will allow internet service providers (ISPs) to throttle the connection of some sites, giving preferential treatment to others at a price. Netflix Inc. tweeted on Tuesday that it supports strong net-neutrality rules, and that it opposes the commission’s proposal to roll back protections. In 2015, the launch of HBO Now opened the floodgates for all major players in media and entertainment to launch their own stand-alone video streaming service that is not linked to a cable subscription. Netflix continues to amass global subscribers to consolidate itself as a market share leader. Last week it announced that it garnered 7 million net new members in the fourth quarter of 2016. Netflix had 34.5 million international subscribers against 47 million in the U.S. at the end of the quarter. It is unclear how many of its customers are in Asia. Months after its global rollout, Netflix Inc (NFLX.O) is facing problems in several major Asian markets as it struggles to provide enough strong content to attract consumers amid tough local competition, and also faces many regulatory hurdles, underlining concerns about disappointing subscriber numbers reported this week. Months after its global rollout, Netflix Inc is facing problems in several major Asian markets as it struggles to provide enough strong content to attract consumers amid tough local competition, and also faces many regulatory hurdles, underlining concerns about disappointing subscriber numbers reported this week.

Regulation topic	Relevant information
Topic 2 - The regulation of media and long form drama in the UK https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/oct/14/video-on-demand-ofcom-atvod https://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv-radio-and-on-demand/advice-for-consumers/television/video-on-demand https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/may/25/netflix-and-amazon-must-guarantee-20-of-content-is-european http://www.chillglobal.com/blog/posts/netflix-and-the-eu-content-regulation	Video-on-demand services including Channel 4’s All4 and Sky’s Now TV will be regulated by broadcast and communications regulator Ofcom.  Currently TV-like services delivered over the internet are regulated by a separate body authorised by Ofcom, the Authority for Television on Demand (ATVOD), which follows similar rules. These rules will still apply but be overseen by Ofcom. Video-on-demand services include TV catch-up and online film services. The platform on which these on-demand services are delivered does not matter, so services on connected TVs, apps on mobile phones and programmes you view through set-top boxes may all be regulated. ·      Protecting under 18s ·      Incitement to hatred ·      Commercial references in programs In addition, platforms such as Netflix and Amazon will have to ensure that their services provide “good visibility” and prominence to European content in their digital catalogues. According to a study provided by the European Commission, Netflix and Apple’s iTunes already devote 21% of their film catalogue to content from the European Union. The European Union is laying out plans to enforce new laws that breakdown geographical barriers for online subscription services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Apple Music. When the new regulations come into effect in early 2018, online services must provide a service to its customers regardless of their current location, as long as they stay within the EU.
Topic 3 - The impact of new media technologies on regulation https://9to5mac.com/2017/02/08/new-eu-rules-will-remove-geoblocking-so-customers-can-use-online-subscription-services-like-netflix-abroad/ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2016/05/26/the-eus-plans-to-regulate-content-on-streaming-services-are-a-mi/	The European Union is laying out plans to enforce new laws that breakdown geographical barriers for online subscription services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Apple Music. When the new regulations come into effect in early 2018, online services must provide a service to its customers regardless of their current location, as long as they stay within the EU. It will suffocate the fast-growing streaming industry under a blanket of regulation. It will fund lots of unwatchable, pretentious rubbish. Streaming will be a huge industry. But if we are force-fed a diet of dreary French drama it will quickly be killed off – and the destructive power of the EU’s misguided economic nationalism will have been demonstrated yet again.