Streaming Regulation, Codec Licensing & Media Policy News

5G-MAG is hosting a 5G Broadcast Plugfest from June 9-11, 2026, in Berlin to test and validate equipment interoperability and implementation aligned with the ETSI 103 720 standard. The event will focus on SFN testing, service provisioning, content ingest for streaming applications (HLS, DASH), and integration with DVB-I Services.

This article discusses the current state of ATSC 3.0, also known as NextGen TV, noting its continued irrelevance for most cord-cutters due to limited 4K content, high cost of compatible hardware, and ongoing simulcasting of ATSC 1.0. While TV manufacturers like Hisense are integrating ATSC 3.0 tuners into more models and external tuner options are emerging, the full benefits and widespread adoption are still years away. Broadcasters are cautious about discontinuing ATSC 1.0 due to a significant audience still relying on the older standard.

The article describes ATSC 3.0 not merely as a technology upgrade for television but as the foundation for a broader redefinition of broadcast as an all-IP, one-to-many infrastructure platform. It argues that the standard's capabilities extend "Beyond Television" to include advanced emergency information, datacasting, and integration with 3GPP ecosystems. The author advocates for immediate and unified alignment among broadcasters, regulators, manufacturers, and policymakers to fully realize ATSC 3.0's potential as a "Fourth Network" alongside fiber, cellular, and satellite.

Fraunhofer FOKUS announced the 13th Media Web Symposium will take place in Berlin on June 16-17, 2026. The symposium will focus on AI-driven creativity, immersive experiences, and sustainable practices across media creation, distribution, consumption, and optimization. Previous events have explored innovations in QUIC-based streaming, low-latency delivery, and real-time video platforms, attracting over 280 participants from 21 countries.

The UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has provided advice to the government on potential changes to online advertising rules, specifically Regulation 6 of the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR). The advice suggests amending Regulation 6 to allow certain low-risk forms of online advertising to operate without consent, while maintaining consent requirements for intrusive tracking, aiming to reduce 'consent fatigue' and foster privacy-preserving ad models. This follows a review conducted by the ICO to understand how current consent requirements may be hindering innovation in privacy-friendly advertising.

ClaimHit published an analytical piece explaining Standards Essential Patents (SEPs), which cover technology mandatory for implementing technical standards such as 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5, or H.265 video coding. The article details how SEPs are identified, the role of FRAND licensing terms, and introduces ClaimHit's AI-powered tool for identifying potential SEP matches within technical specifications.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has issued a regulatory policy (CRTC 2026-43) to prohibit certain fees that act as barriers to Canadians switching or modifying their cellphone and Internet service plans. Effective June 12, 2026, service providers cannot charge activation, modification, or early cancellation fees in contracts without a device subsidy, with exceptions for reasonable physical installation fees or explicitly chosen additional products/services. This policy amends the existing Wireless Code and Internet Code to implement new consumer protections mandated by recent changes to the Telecommunications Act.

Local TV station groups are petitioning the FCC to reclassify virtual MVPDs (vMVPDs) as traditional cable operators, which would allow them to directly negotiate retransmission fees with vMVPDs instead of through broadcast networks. This change, if implemented, aims to increase revenue for local stations, which currently claim that network-negotiated agreements for streaming rights are too low. The FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel has stated that the FCC lacks the authority to make this change, deferring to Congress.

Canada's broadcast regulator, the CRTC, has mandated that large streaming services like Netflix and Apple must contribute 15% of their Canadian revenues to Canadian content production. This decision, part of the Online Streaming Act implementation, triples the initial 5% requirement set in 2024 and will also lower traditional broadcasters' contribution requirements to 25% from 30-45%. The CRTC expects total contributions to stabilize funding at over $2 billion for Canadian and Indigenous content and has also set rules for how these funds must be spent, including requirements for partnerships with Canadian broadcasters and independent producers.

Via Licensing Alliance (Via) has expanded its Voice Codec patent pool by adding a new unnamed licensee and new licensors, NovaVoice Limited and Cordial IP. The program, which covers Enhanced Voice Services (EVS) and Immersive Voice and Audio Services (IVAS), also published its full rate structure to increase transparency and predictability for implementers. This expansion reflects growing industry adoption of collaborative licensing for critical voice technologies and increased interest from patent holders in licensing through patent pools.

Ocean Tomo conducted a Standard Essential Patent (SEP) analysis for a global telecom services provider, evaluating its patent portfolio for inclusion in an MPEG patent pool. The assessment identified patents that did and did not align with MPEG standards, providing strategic recommendations for future R&D to strengthen SEP coverage for forthcoming video compression standards, aiming to improve licensing opportunities.

This query from Hacker News discusses how to prevent AV2 from encountering the same patent-pool issues that AV1 faced. It references Sisvel's patent pool for AV1 and a recent agreement between Dolby and Snap as evidence of patent challenges despite AV1's royalty-free design. The original source linked is an Access Advance press release from March 2026. The question implicitly raises concerns about licensing and royalty obligations for nascent video encoding standards.

The first patent assertion claim against the AV1 video codec has gone to court, seven years after its introduction. The resolution of this legal case is expected to take a significant amount of time.

A European court decision is expected soon regarding a legal dispute between Sky and Warner Bros. Discovery. The ruling will establish carriage and licensing terms for HBO content within the region.

Michael Barrow, operator of the illegal IPTV service MB Streams, was sentenced to three years and two months in prison by Swansea Crown Court. Barrow generated over £200,000 from nearly 2,000 subscribers by distributing illegal Premier League content and other material. The prosecution was led by the Premier League, with support from FACT and TARIAN Regional Organised Crime Unit, emphasizing severe consequences for illegal streaming operations.

CNN has filed a copyright lawsuit against Perplexity AI, alleging unauthorized scraping of approximately 17,000 news stories. The legal action from the renowned media outlet on Thursday targets the AI company for its reported content acquisition practices.

Malaysia has implemented new rules that prohibit children under 16 from owning social media accounts. This regulation became effective on Monday, impacting millions of young users. The government's action is part of a broader online safety initiative.

The Media Bureau has established a comment period to determine the license renewal for the company previously operating the defunct NewsNet. This process will guide the Bureau's decision on the license for the entity. The company was founded by the inventor of 5-Hour Energy.

Discussions at NAB Show focused on the implementation of ATSC 3.0, specifically addressing Brazil's TV 3.0 specification and the development of low-cost consumer receivers. The industry is anticipating a 1.0 shutoff date, signaling a transition to the newer standard.

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) believes that radio and TV license holders continue to face an excessive burden concerning regulatory fees from the FCC.

The article discusses the rollout of age verification applications by countries and private companies to restrict children's access to online content. It highlights that this approach, while intended to limit access, may also introduce significant privacy and security risks. The piece serves as a 'fast facts' overview of this emerging trend.

The article discusses ongoing disputes between Korean Pay-TV providers and Program Providers (PPs) over content fees, which continue to carry a risk of programming blackouts. The Korea Media Content Center (KMCC) has not yet provided a resolution to the conflict. This issue highlights regulatory challenges and potential disruptions in the Korean Pay-TV market.

The City of London Police's Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) has seized over 1.2 million worth of equipment after dismantling a large illicit streaming data center. This operation has disrupted thousands of illegal streams across the UK following an investigation initiated by a report of suspicious activity.

City of London Police, led by the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) and working with Sky, shut down a large illegal streaming data center in Farnborough, seizing over £1.2 million worth of equipment. The operation disrupted thousands of illicit streams across the UK.

JioStar has filed a First Information Report (FIR) against an alleged IPTV piracy network operating in Chhattisgarh, India. The complaint states that electronic evidence indicates copyrighted JioStar content was illegally retransmitted through various IPTV channels without authorization. This action addresses the unauthorized distribution of streaming content.

Steven Knight advocated for a UK levy on global streaming services during a SXSW London 2026 discussion with British culture secretary Lisa Nandy. This reinflames the debate over financial contributions from streamers in the UK.

Thai digital TV operators are seeking the Prime Minister's intervention as the 2029 license deadline approaches, citing delays from the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) regarding post-2029 licenses and rules for OTT services and free-to-air access. The operators are facing uncertainty due to these unresolved regulatory issues.

Olga Hartsuk, founder of Baltic Green Film Initiative, established Mureel to provide a unified system for small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) producers to meet sustainability compliance requirements across Europe. The initiative addresses the need for a simplified approach to navigate varied European regulations.

Ofcom has approved Scottish public service broadcaster STV's plans to discontinue "STV News at 6", its early evening news program for the north of Scotland. This decision allows STV to proceed with axing the program.

Thirteen European cloud providers, EU lawmakers, and NGOs are backing the European Commission's initiative to reduce reliance on US technology. This push aims to enhance data sovereignty and digital independence within the EU.

The CRTC issued Telecom Order 2026-110, which approves Broadband Fund payment holdback reports for May 2026. This order references previous Telecom Orders CRTC 2022-189 and CRTC 2022-93.

Lord Grade, former head of Ofcom, has proposed a two-year trial ban on social media for individuals under the age of 16. This measure is intended as a "wake-up call" to tech companies regarding their practices.

The article discusses the critical need for global OTT platforms to implement multi-region content compliance strategies, addressing various regional regulations such as BCCC, BBFC, FCC, and Ofcom. It highlights how AI-assisted moderation can help manage these diverse and evolving content regulations efficiently across different territories. This emphasizes regulatory adherence as a key operational consideration for streaming services.

The Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE) has welcomed a verdict from the Paris Judicial Court. ACE states that the ruling clearly confirms their position in anti-piracy efforts.

Connect Europe has published a legal opinion regarding the European Commission's proposals for a fibre transition. The opinion addresses the legal implications of these proposals.

The EU AI Act is scheduled for full enforcement in 2026, establishing a global standard for AI regulation. This legislative action sets binding rules for corporate compliance protocols related to artificial intelligence.

A report from the CRTC indicates that Canadians aged 55 and older continue to form the largest audience for cable television news. The report also notes a general trend of Canadians moving away from conventional TV. These findings were presented by the CRTC, Canada's telecommunications regulator.

This article discusses the issue of outdated records regarding FCC Part 74 fixed microwave links utilized by radio and TV stations. The problem has been highlighted by Southern California frequency coordinator Howard Fine. The outdated records potentially leave these microwave links at risk.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is exploring the implementation of new content ratings for television programs that feature discussions or portrayals of gender identity. This potential regulatory change is currently under consideration by the commission.

The Director General of Kosovo's public broadcaster, Zana Spahiu, stated that upcoming changes to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) statutes offer hope for Kosovo's participation in Eurovision. The article focuses on the potential for regulatory changes within EBU to allow new member inclusions.

Eclipsa Video is progressing towards certification for the new open source video standard, HDR10+. This development indicates a potential new HDR standard becoming available.

Brazil is enacting new regulations, known as ECA Digital, to implement a safety-by-design approach for online content, focusing on the protection of minors. This new framework shifts from ex post liability to preventative measures, including age verification.

Meta's AI glasses are officially launching in Asian markets like Japan and Korea. This launch is raising privacy concerns due to anxieties over 'invisible recording' capabilities.

UK online safety minister Kanishka Narayan is considering a social media ban and restrictions on gaming platforms to prevent child exploitation. These measures would apply to teenagers as part of broader online safety actions.

India's sovereign cloud initiative, driven by MeitY guidelines for sensitive data, is expanding beyond localization to foster a $30 billion data-center data boom by 2030. This push is influenced by the need to handle sensitive government data like tax and land systems within the country.

Meta, TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat have collectively agreed to pay $27 million to settle a lawsuit filed by Kentucky's Breathitt County School District. The lawsuit alleged harm caused by the named social media platforms. This payment resolves the legal dispute in Kentucky.

Former President Trump stated on Truth Social that the U.S. movie industry is declining and threatened 100 percent tariffs on foreign films. This action is proposed due to other countries offering incentives to filmmakers, thus drawing production away from the U.S.

The article discusses the global trend of imposing streaming levies on services like Netflix and outlines South Africa's plans to implement such a levy by 2026. This initiative aims to generate revenue from international streaming platforms.