A MAJOR boost for parents has come with a new move for “on-demand” streaming services to protect children from accessing “inappropriate programming.” 

Coimisiún na Meán aims to introduce obligations on video-on-demand providers to restrict some content from their catalogues. 

The media regulator has published a new draft code and rules to protect children from content which may impair their physical, mental or moral development.

The rules are aimed at content which may incite violence or hatred against a group or a member of a group based on their characteristics, including sex, race, colour, disability, sexual orientation, or membership of a national minority. 

It also targets content that could be categorised as a public provocation to commit a terrorist offence. 

Streaming services will be required to provide on-screen warnings at the beginning of programmes for content that may harm children.

Providers will also be required to take appropriate measures to ensure that content containing pornography or gratuitous violence will not be shown to children.

And provide parental controls and age assurance to protect children from seeing harmful content. 

The draft rules introduce obligations on video-on-demand service providers to make their programming accessible to people with disabilities progressively.

Coimisiún na Meán Media Development Commissioner, Rónán Ó Domhnaill, said: “Once finalised, our new Code and Rules will for the first time allow for the statutory regulation of Video on-demand service providers based in Ireland. 

“The Code will help efforts to ensure that people across Ireland can watch entertaining, informative and engaging programming on-demand, while ensuring that children do not access age-inappropriate programming.”

He added: “The Rules will ensure that every step is taken to ensure that programmes are accessible for people with disabilities and will oblige every audiovisual on-demand media service provider based in Ireland to establish an Accessibility Action Plan.”

The new draft is now open for public consultation, which is set to close on Tuesday, August 6.

Meanwhile, Netflix fans have been left furious as they threaten to boycott the streamer over a major change.

Bosses have angered loyal viewers of the streaming giant over the shake-up - that takes place very soon.

Netflix previously confirmed that customers on their basic package would soon be moving to a new tier.

The overhaul will see viewers automatically placed on the new lowest tier - and with adverts.

Unfortunately Netflix fans won't have a choice as the company has completely discontinued its basic package.

One viewer has taken to Reddit to tip off other users that the change is happening on July 13.

Posting to the site, they shared an image of a message from Netflix on their TV.

It read: "Your last day to watch Netflix is July 13. Choose a new plan to keep watching.

"Your basic plan has been discontinued, but you can easily switch to a new one."