Consultation: Prominence and accessibility on connected TV platforms - Draft code of practice and draft guidance on the agreement objectives

The Media Act 2024 introduced essential new rules to help make public service content easier to find and discover on the connected TV platforms that people increasingly use to choose and access TV programmes. These connected TV platforms must also take steps to incorporate accessibility features. 

Under the new regime, for the first time, providers of the most-used connected TV platforms must make sure that BBC iPlayer and other public service broadcaster (PSB) TV players as designated by Ofcom, as well as the public service content and any public service channels they include, are available and prominent on their platforms. 

In this consultation, we explain our proposals for a code of practice that will set out the recommended actions that providers of designated connected TV platforms can take to ensure that the PSB players, their public service content, and any public service channels included in the players are given an appropriate degree of prominence on their platforms.  

The new regime also requires designated connected TV platform providers to make their platforms accessible for disabled users. As such, the proposed code of practice includes recommended actions which aim to improve the experience of disabled people (particularly those with sight or hearing conditions) when navigating the user interface of those platforms and finding accessible content. 

We are also consulting on guidance for how designated connected TV platform providers and the PSBs can comply with their new duty to act consistently with statutory agreement objectives when entering into arrangements with each other to include designated PSB players in designated connected TV platforms. 

Both our draft code of practice and guidance are designed to be flexible and future-focused, ensuring providers can adapt within the regulatory framework as technology and viewing habits develop. 

We will issue a statement along with the final code of practice and guidance later this year, taking into account responses to this consultation.

Responding to this consultation

Please submit responses using the consultation response form no later than 5pm 25 March 2026.