Standards bodies and regulators quietly decide what becomes mandatory long before it reaches a press release. This category follows DRM and anti-piracy enforcement, codec licensing and patent pools, AI training-data copyright, and net neutrality and privacy rules shaping the industry.
The Canadian House of Commons is voting on a non-binding Bloc Québécois motion to pressure the government to uphold CRTC streaming levies and release $600 million in promised cultural funding. The vote forces MPs to record their positions on the government's regulatory approach to streaming platforms and domestic content contributions.
SiliconDust has petitioned the FCC to mandate that broadcasters disable encryption on NextGen TV signals during an upcoming national Emergency Alert System test. The company contends that current encryption standards prevent its HDHomeRun tuners from receiving emergency notifications, while the National Association of Broadcasters argues that alternative broadcast channels remain available for public safety alerts.
A panel at MIA 2026 highlighted that independent producers in Italy and Spain are struggling to retain intellectual property rights despite increased investment from global streaming platforms. The discussion emphasized that contractual arrangements often limit producers' ability to monetize content, prompting calls for stronger regulatory frameworks to link investment obligations with IP retention.
The American Entertainment Alliance is lobbying for a 20 percent federal tax credit on domestic labor costs to address a 35 percent decline in U.S. production jobs since 2022. The coalition is also proposing new regulations to limit streaming platform exclusivity and mandate independent content sourcing to combat industry consolidation.
Pearl TV has secured pricing agreements with patent owners and technology licensors to reduce the cost of ATSC 3.0 converter boxes. These devices, expected in early 2027, aim to facilitate the transition from ATSC 1.0 to 3.0 by allowing existing televisions to receive NEXTGEN TV broadcasts.
A Northeastern University study of 12 smart TVs found that some devices, including Samsung and Vizio models, continue to transmit traffic consistent with automatic content recognition (ACR) even after users have opted out. The researchers noted that while the traffic patterns suggest ongoing data collection, the use of encryption prevented them from confirming the specific content of the data being sent.
The Bloc Québécois is introducing a motion in the Canadian House of Commons to force the government to disburse $600 million in promised cultural funding and enforce CRTC-mandated streaming royalties. The party argues that the government has failed to implement regulatory commitments to protect domestic culture from foreign tech giants.
The National Association of Broadcasters and Sinclair have filed comments with the FCC opposing a petition to authorize 5G Broadcast for low-power television stations. Opponents argue that the standard is unnecessary given the ongoing ATSC 3.0 transition and lacks sufficient engineering evidence to ensure coexistence with existing broadcast signals.
The Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) received a 2026 Technology and Engineering Emmy Award for the standardization of ATSC 3.0. The organization is currently focused on international expansion in Brazil and India while updating technical specifications for DRM and B2X signaling.
The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has rejected a request from SiliconDust to disable DRM encryption during an upcoming national Emergency Alert System (EAS) test. The NAB maintains that disabling encryption would create artificial conditions that do not accurately reflect real-world emergency broadcasting scenarios.
Ofcom CEO Dame Melanie Dawes reported that only two of 11 fines issued under the UK's Online Safety Act have been paid, with several companies opting to geo-block the UK or implement age assurance instead. The regulator acknowledged the difficulty of enforcing financial penalties against international entities while emphasizing that compliance remains the primary objective.
The Advanced Media Workflow Association (AMWA) has been awarded a 2026 Technology & Engineering Emmy for the development of its NMOS IS-04 and IS-05 specifications. These open standards have become foundational for discovery, registration, and connection management in IP-based media production environments.
SiliconDust has petitioned the FCC and broadcasters to disable DRM encryption on NextGen TV signals during the upcoming November 17 national Emergency Alert System test. The company argues that current encryption standards prevent its HDHomeRun tuners from receiving critical emergency alerts, highlighting ongoing friction between hardware manufacturers and broadcasters over ATSC 3.0 signal access.
A coalition of major talent agencies and production companies is lobbying for legislation to mandate that streaming platforms source at least 50% of original content from independent producers. The proposal seeks to revive fin-syn-style regulations to address industry consolidation and limit the control streaming platforms exert over licensing terms.
Former Canadian trade negotiator Steve Verheul warns that the U.S. will continue to challenge Canadian digital policies, including the Online Streaming Act and discoverability requirements. The ongoing trade tensions highlight potential risks to Canada's cultural exemption as the government explores closer regulatory alignment with the European Union.
Microsoft will discontinue Xbox Cloud Gaming support on 2020 Samsung smart TVs starting November 3, 2026, due to hardware and operating system compatibility limitations. The decision highlights the growing challenge of maintaining software-dependent features on aging smart TV platforms.
Spotify has implemented a new in-person verification process for its Premium Family plans, requiring users to scan a dynamic, frequently refreshing QR code to confirm household residency. Users who fail to verify their location face a downgrade to the ad-supported tier and a 12-month ban from joining other group plans, signaling a broader industry trend toward stricter enforcement of household-based subscription models.
Disney and Dish have requested a 30-day extension to stay a lawsuit regarding Sling TV's former subscription passes as settlement discussions continue. The legal dispute involves allegations of licensing agreement violations and antitrust claims following Dish's recent emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Pearl TV has announced progress toward developing affordable $60 NextGen TV converter boxes to support the transition from ATSC 1.0 to ATSC 3.0 by 2030. However, the announcement lacked specific manufacturer commitments or firm timelines for the hardware's release.
UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has signaled a potential intervention in Comcast-owned Sky's £1.6bn acquisition of ITV's broadcasting division. The government is reviewing the deal on public interest grounds, specifically regarding media plurality and the impact on UK news coverage.
The CRTC's proposed streaming contribution levies in Canada remain effectively frozen due to ongoing court stays and government-ordered reviews. While financial obligations are currently stalled, the regulator continues to advance mandatory discoverability requirements for streaming platforms.
The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) is consolidating its legal and government relations departments under incoming Chief Advocacy Officer Shawn Donilon, effective January 1, 2027. This restructuring follows the planned departure of long-time Chief Legal Officer Rick Kaplan, who oversaw significant regulatory milestones including ATSC 3.0 and streaming royalty rate proceedings.
A federal jury has ordered Comcast to pay $213 million to Wherever TV for patent infringement related to the integration of linear and streaming content within the X1 program guide. Comcast has stated it disagrees with the verdict and intends to pursue further legal challenges.
The U.K. government has signaled a potential intervention in Comcast-owned Sky's proposed £1.6 billion acquisition of ITV's networks and streaming assets. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy cited concerns regarding media plurality, free expression, and the availability of diverse broadcasting content in the United Kingdom.
UK media regulator Ofcom has updated its offensive language guidelines, introducing distinct pre-watershed and post-watershed ratings for content. The new framework emphasizes that while audience tolerance for swearing has evolved, there remains a strong demand for protections against discriminatory language across all broadcast and on-demand platforms.
Canadian cultural industry groups are calling for clarity from the federal government regarding the status of $600 million in promised funding. The delay follows a government decision to pause CRTC-mandated streaming contributions while reviewing regulatory policy, leaving producers without expected financial support.
The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has announced that Chief Legal Officer Rick Kaplan will step down at the end of 2026. Effective January 1, 2027, Shawn Donilon will lead a newly consolidated department as Chief Advocacy Officer, merging the organization's legal and government relations teams.
YouTube Music has implemented a three-tier disclosure system for AI-generated content, requiring labels for tracks that are fully or partly created using generative AI. This initiative aims to provide transparency to listeners while distinguishing AI-assisted production from human-made music, contrasting with the more restrictive policies adopted by competitors like Deezer and TIDAL.
The ATSC has approved a new candidate standard, S44-2-002r6, which defines discovery and signaling mechanisms for its Broadcast-to-Everything (B2X) platform. This initiative aims to integrate broadcast efficiency with mobile ecosystems to support a wider range of connected devices, with a public review period open until June 2027.
The National Association of Broadcasters has filed a request with the FCC to proceed with the elimination of the 39 percent national television ownership cap. This move is being challenged by a coalition of cable and broadband trade groups who argue the FCC lacks the legal authority to repeal the limit.
The U.S. Supreme Court is hearing arguments in a case involving Paramount Global to determine if the 1988 Video Privacy Protection Act applies to modern digital video consumption and targeted advertising. A ruling could establish a significant legal precedent for how streaming services manage user data, consent, and ad-tech practices.
YouTube released an economic impact report at MIPCOM claiming its creator ecosystem contributed €8.4 billion to European GDP in 2025 and supported 220,000 jobs. The report serves as a strategic counter-argument to European broadcasters and regulators who are pushing for algorithmic changes that would favor traditional media over independent creators.
FIFPRO Europe has joined the Live Content Coalition to advocate for real-time, enforceable EU regulations against industrial-scale broadcast piracy. The coalition, which includes various sports rights owners and industry bodies, seeks to protect the live sports ecosystem from revenue loss that impacts player salaries and industry funding.
The National Taxpayers Union has filed comments with the FCC arguing that the concept of spectrum scarcity is no longer a valid justification for discretionary broadcast content regulation. The group contends that the proliferation of streaming and digital platforms provides sufficient market competition to render legacy broadcast-only oversight obsolete.
A federal judge has ruled that a lawsuit against Apple regarding the unauthorized scraping of YouTube videos for AI model training can proceed. The court determined that bypassing anti-scraping measures to access content outside of authorized streaming architecture may violate the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.
YouTube released a report claiming its creator ecosystem contributes €8.4 billion to the EU GDP and supports 220,000 jobs. The platform uses these findings to lobby EU policymakers for specific regulatory changes regarding creator funding, data access, and the protection of recommendation algorithms.
The Australian government is pressuring major streaming platforms and social media companies to block the potential livestream of a US military execution. The debate centers on the application of the Online Safety Act and the responsibility of platforms to restrict content deemed to be of extreme violence.
The Paris Judicial Court has rejected a request from Canal+ to impose daily financial penalties on Cloudflare for failing to block pirate sports streams via its 1.1.1.1 DNS resolver. The court ruled that Cloudflare's existing CDN-based blocking measures are reasonable and sufficient, affirming that the company is not required to interfere with its DNS service for piracy enforcement.
The HbbTV Association has announced the programme for its 14th annual Symposium and Awards, taking place in Barcelona on November 18-19, 2026. The event will focus on technical and business developments in connected TV, including addressable advertising, audience measurement, and AI-powered user interfaces.
The Canadian government is reviewing its implementation of the Online Streaming Act following trade tensions, while also advancing legislation regarding lawful access and space launch capabilities. These regulatory shifts are expected to impact operational requirements for streaming services and telecommunications providers operating in the Canadian market.
The FCC is seeking public comment on the extension of information collection requirements for Next Gen TV and ATSC 3.0 local simulcasting rules. The proposal specifically concerns the continued use of FCC Form 2100 for broadcast stations seeking ATSC 3.0 service authorization.
U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Loren AliKhan held a hearing regarding the FCC's early license renewal process for eight ABC-owned television stations. ABC's legal counsel argued the regulatory action is a coercive threat against the network's editorial independence, while the FCC maintains the proceeding is a standard discovery dispute related to diversity and inclusion policies.
Denuvo has petitioned a US court for permission to subpoena Discord, Valve, and Reddit to identify a user suspected of bypassing its DRM software across 26 titles. This legal action follows the disbanding of the cracking group DenuvoOwO and represents an ongoing effort by the company to combat unauthorized software modification.
The European Commission is considering restructuring its Corporate Resource for Europe (CORE) proposal into a flat levy for companies with over €100 million in annual EU revenue. This strategy aims to generate tax revenue from U.S. tech giants while avoiding potential retaliatory tariffs threatened by the U.S. government.
Brazilian filmmakers are concerned that the potential election of Flávio Bolsonaro could lead to significant funding cuts for the national audiovisual industry, mirroring the policies of the previous administration. The sector, which relies on federal investment and public policy, has seen substantial growth and job creation under the current government.
The FCC has authorized SpaceX to deploy 15,000 direct-to-device satellites over the next nine years to expand global broadband and mobile connectivity. This regulatory approval allows for the deployment of higher-capacity V2 Starlink satellites and sets specific milestones for constellation completion by 2035.
The Danish Consumer Council has filed a formal complaint against Red Bull Denmark and its marketing partners, alleging that influencer-led campaigns on platforms like Twitch, YouTube, and TikTok violate national laws prohibiting energy drink advertising to minors. The case serves as a critical test for Danish regulators as they evaluate stricter enforcement of influencer marketing restrictions for unhealthy products.
Attorneys general from Florida, Montana, Iowa, and Nebraska have filed lawsuits against TP-Link, alleging the company misrepresented its manufacturing origins and the security of its routers. The legal action follows ongoing federal concerns regarding supply chain vulnerabilities and potential cybersecurity risks associated with the company's networking hardware.
The Tokyo District Court has ruled that a person's voice is a symbol of personality protected under Japan's right of publicity, establishing a legal framework for addressing unauthorized AI-generated voice imitations. While the specific claim was dismissed on procedural grounds, the decision provides a significant precedent for platforms and AI developers regarding the use of synthetic media.
Meta, TikTok, and X are challenging Ofcom in the UK High Court, arguing that the regulator's granular information requests under the Online Safety Act are disproportionate and operationally burdensome. The platforms contend that the data demands lack clear regulatory purpose and impose significant costs, marking a major legal test for the UK's new online safety oversight framework.
