• Best-practice partnership between regulator and streamer to continue for years to come

• Extended contract ensures UK families’ access to trusted age ratings and content advice to support safe viewing experiences on Netflix

• Research shows that more than 80% of people want a consistent age rating system across cinema, physical media and video-on-demand/streaming platforms

Today, the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has renewed its existing rating agreement with Netflix. The partnership allows Netflix to generate age ratings and content advice in line with BBFC Classification Guidelines. The agreement, which initially commenced in February 2019, has been extended for an additional four years. This means that the BBFC’s iconic age rating symbols, which families know and trust, will remain in place across 100% of content on Netflix in the UK until at least late 2028. The BBFC regularly audits content rated by Netflix to ensure accuracy and consistency. 

The BBFC’s partnership with Netflix is an important way in which the BBFC fulfils its mission to support safer viewing experiences for UK audiences, wherever and however they choose to watch content. Research collected as part of the most recent BBFC Classification Guidelines consultation, which took place throughout 2023 and involved 12,000 people, revealed that more than eight in ten people want a consistent age rating system across cinema, physical media and video-on-demand/streaming platforms. 

This research also found that 99% of people recognise at least one BBFC age rating symbol, with 78% recognising them all. Additionally, 90% of parents and caregivers, 91% of teachers, and 88% of teens aged 16-19 say that they trust BBFC age ratings all or most of the time.

David Austin OBE, Chief Executive, BBFC said: “We’re incredibly proud of our partnership with Netflix, the first streamer to enter into a self-rating partnership with the BBFC. Our groundbreaking work together has made a significant contribution to child protection and audience empowerment in the UK, and we’re delighted that it will continue for at least another four years. 

“BBFC age ratings reflect the needs and expectations of UK audiences. Our recent Classification Guidelines research highlighted that trust and confidence in our work is higher than ever. People expressed just how much they value seeing recognised guidance when streaming content at home. This collaboration is a gold-standard example of industry best practice, and one we hope to replicate with others in this space for the benefit of families across the UK.”

Benjamin King, Senior Director, Public Policy - UK & Ireland, Netflix said: “Our members are our number one priority, and we’re committed to delivering an experience that not only meets but exceeds their expectations. That’s why, as the first streaming service to voluntarily carry BBFC age ratings on 100% of our catalogue, we’re proud to extend our rating agreement with BBFC for a further four years. 

“This partnership builds on our wide range of parental controls including PIN-protected profiles, maturity filters, profile locks and viewing history, empowering parents to make the right viewing choices for their families.”