Anime Streaming Services May Be Regulated in the United Kingdom
Crunchyroll may soon have to comply with new rules in the United Kingdom after the government announced changes to the regulation of on-demand streaming services. The measure would affect platforms with more than 500,000 users in the country, including Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and Crunchyroll.
Anime Streaming Services May Be Regulated in the United Kingdom
According to the official announcement, so-called Tier 1 on-demand programme services will be subject to stricter standards aimed at “protecting the public” from “harmful and offensive content.” The rules also address issues such as “news impartiality,” privacy, fairness, and editorial standards.
In Crunchyroll’s case, the main concern involves “content that may impair the physical, mental, or moral development of minors under 18.” UK law requires platforms to take measures to prevent minors from accessing especially restricted material, including content that could receive an R18 classification from the BBFC.
To watch 18+ content, users would need to verify their age through facial scanning and ID verification. In addition, any 18+ material not properly classified as such would have to be removed from the platforms.
Beyond content restrictions, Tier 1 services will also need to meet accessibility targets. At least 80 percent of their catalog must include subtitles, 10 percent audio description, and 5 percent sign language. There will also be ongoing requirements to improve accessibility for people with disabilities.
Another key point is the possibility of penalties. If the regulator OFCOM finds violations, it may issue formal notices, demand content removal, or impose fines of up to 5 percent of the company’s relevant revenue or £250,000, whichever is higher.
Although Crunchyroll does not disclose user numbers by country, the company has stated it surpassed 130 million registered users worldwide, with the United Kingdom being one of its major markets. This suggests it likely falls under the Tier 1 criteria.
The new guidelines still depend on the final publication of the Standards Code, expected in winter 2026, with enforcement anticipated in 2027. Platforms will have a transition period to comply.
So far, there has been no confirmation of specific catalog changes for Crunchyroll in the UK. However, the announcement signals that the regulatory environment for anime and streaming services may become stricter in the coming years.