U.K. Imposes New Rules for VOD Services

LONDON — Online distributors of adult content in the U.K. will be forced to block R18 video-on-demand adult content before users are able to reach age-verified pay walls, according to a new law that targets content strength. The law is slated to go into effect Dec. 1.

Pete Johnson, who leads ATVOD as chief executive, told XBIZ on Monday that the new legislation defines "specially restricted material" in a manner that matches ATVOD’s current interpretation of the existing legislation.

"In other words the new legislation simply puts beyond doubt that U.K.-based providers of on-demand program services must keep R18 equivalent material out of reach of under 18s," he said. "As that was already ATVOD’s position, this aspect of the regulations is unlikely to result in a change to ATVOD’s investigatory practices.

"The new legislation also prohibits on a U.K. on-demand program service material equivalent to that which would be refused a classification by the BBFC. This is a new requirement and we will monitor the impact of enforcing this new rule on our workload over the coming months.

"Neither aspect of the legislation affects the range of websites subject to regulation by ATVOD: The definition of an on-demand program service remains unchanged."

The U.K. government’s Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) brought the legislative proposal to Parliament on Nov. 6, where it was approved. The law makes it a criminal offense for violators under Section 368E of the 2003 Communications Act relative to "harmful matter."

News of the "Audiovisual Media Services Regulations 2014" coming into law in the U.K. was first noted by XBIZ.net blogger Ben Yates.  

The law forces online companies to prohibit material classified as the equivalent of R18 classification prior to the pay wall unless users have been verified as to age typically through credit cards. R18 under the U.K. film classification system is classified as a video work "to be supplied other than in a licensed sex shop."

Communications regulator OFCOM, which receives complaints from on-demand authority ATVOD over existing laws relative to age-verification over online adult content, will be the authoritative agency governing the new statutory instrument, No. 2916.

Several companies, including Veridu and VeriMe, which have jumped on the scene and have launched new products to provide age-verification solutions online and through mobile for adult content, stand to capitalize on the new law.

The new law applies only to U.K. sites, but government sources several months ago from within the DCMS said the plans would inevitably “starve” any Internet company trying to make money in the U.K. If that were the case, foreign adult tube sites would be the hardest hit.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Industry Attorney Paul Cambria Retires After 50 Years of Practicing Law

After more than a half-century in practice, during which he provided the defense in some of the adult industry's most notable legal cases, attorney Paul Cambria has retired.

2026 XMA Nominations Party Set for Nov. 19 in Hollywood

The 2026 XMA nominations reveal party will take place at Keys on the Sunset Strip on Wednesday, Nov. 19, with red-carpet arrivals starting at 8 p.m.

New VR Membership Site 'DeepInSex.com' Launches

The new 8K VR membership site DeepInSex has officially launched.

NATS Launches Integrated Content Management System

Too Much Media (TMM) has rolled out an integrated, no-charge Content Management System (CMS) to its NATS platform.

AEBN Reveals Avery Lust as Top Trans Star for Q3 of 2025

AEBN has published its top trans stars list for the third quarter of 2025, with Avery Lust landing atop the leaderboard.

FSC: California's Device-Based AV Law Does Not Apply to Adult

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) put out an advisory today explaining that California's new device-based age verification law does not apply to adult websites.

Reena Sky Launches New Paysite

Reena Sky has launched her new official paysite, ILoveReenaSky.com.

NextGen Payment Joins ASACP as Corporate Sponsor

NextGen Payment has signed on as the latest corporate sponsor for the Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection (ASACP).

Lauren Phillips, Derek Kage Cap AEBN's Top Stars for 3rd Quarter of 2025

AEBN has revealed its most popular performers in straight and gay theaters for the third quarter of 2025.

XBIZ 2026 Conference to Debut All-New Company Lounges, Community Track

The event website for XBIZ 2026 is now live, unveiling details for North America’s largest adult industry conference, including two all-new show features: Company Lounges and a Community Track.

Show More