Observed Signal · Feb 25, 2026 · Policy Update · Source: ExchangeWire · Impact: 4/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
UK VOD Faces New Regulations; Canva Expands with Acquisitions
The UK government plans to tighten oversight of major video‑on‑demand platforms by designating services with more than 500,000 UK users (including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, ITVX and Channel 4) as “Tier 1” and bringing them under enhanced Ofcom regulation with a standards code, complaint routes and accessibility quotas. Canva has acquired animation specialist Cavalry and advertising optimisation startup Mango AI, intending to integrate Cavalry into its Affinity professional suite and expand AI-driven ad optimisation capabilities. UK out-of-home (OOH) advertising reached a record £1.44bn in 2025 (up 2.6% YoY), led by digital formats which comprised 67% of revenue; Q4 revenues were £404.9m with digital OOH growth of 4.8% year on year.
Ofcom’s extension of regulation to major streaming platforms and mandated accessibility quotas will affect streaming content moderation, compliance and potential ad policy; Canva’s acquisitions advance creative tooling for motion and ad optimisation; OOH revenue growth signals continued market demand for DOOH inventory.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- UK government will designate VOD platforms with >500,000 UK users as "Tier 1" and place them under enhanced Ofcom regulation.
- Tier 1 services must follow a standards code modelled on Ofcom’s Broadcasting Code and allow viewers to complain directly to Ofcom.
- New accessibility quotas require at least 80% of catalogue content to carry subtitles, 10% to include audio description, and 5% to provide sign language for designated platforms.
- Canva acquired animation specialist Cavalry and advertising optimisation startup Mango AI; Cavalry will be integrated into Affinity and Canva aims to expand motion and performance creative tooling.
- UK OOH advertising revenue hit a record £1.44bn in 2025 (up 2.6% YoY); digital OOH accounted for 67% of total revenue and grew 3.2% in 2025.
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