Multimedia & subscriptions
People choosing a streaming, music or subscription service want to know exactly what they are signing up for and how easily they can leave.
Multimedia & subscriptions companies
173 companies
About Multimedia & subscriptions
Online shopping in the Multimedia & subscriptions category covers companies that sell access to films, television, music, games, audiobooks and digital publications on a recurring or one-off basis. Many of these businesses are streaming platforms, online music services, digital download stores and subscription boxes for media and entertainment products. They reach customers through websites, mobile apps, smart television applications and bundled deals with broadband and mobile providers.
Most are sold entirely online, with payment taken by card or direct debit and access delivered instantly over the internet. Some companies also sell physical discs, games and books through online marketplaces alongside their digital offers.
The market in the United Kingdom is shaped by consumer protection law, which governs subscription contracts, pricing transparency and the right to cancel, and is enforced by the Competition and Markets Authority and the Advertising Standards Authority. Data handling is overseen by the Information Commissioner's Office under UK data protection rules. Online sales of digital content also fall under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, which sets out how digital products must perform and what remedies customers can expect when they do not.
Competition in this category is intense, with a small number of large international platforms sitting alongside smaller independent sellers and specialist retailers. Pricing, catalogue breadth and the quality of apps and customer service are the main points on which these companies differ. Industry activity is coordinated in part by trade bodies that represent music, film and games publishers, which shapes licensing arrangements and the availability of content to UK customers.
Questions about Multimedia & subscriptions
How do I choose a multimedia or subscription company I can trust?
Check that the company gives its full trading name, a registered address and a company registration number on its website, and that it appears on Companies House if it is a UK limited company. Look for clear terms and conditions that set out how the subscription works before you pay. Confirm that you can pay by credit card, which allows a claim under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 for purchases between £100 and £30,000.
What should I compare before signing up to a streaming or subscription service?
Compare the monthly price including VAT, whether there is a minimum term, and what the price becomes once an introductory offer ends. Check which devices the service supports and whether there are limits on simultaneous streams or downloads. Read the cancellation terms so you know how and when you can stop paying.
Is it safe to buy digital media or subscriptions from an online shop?
It is safer when the website address begins with https and the padlock icon appears in your browser, and when you pay by a recognised method rather than by bank transfer to a private account. Under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013, the seller must give you clear pre-contract information and confirm the order in writing. If the company does not say who it is, treat that as a reason to walk away.
How do I cancel a subscription in the UK?
Find the cancellation section in the terms and conditions or account settings, and if the company asks for written notice, send it and keep a copy. Cancel before the renewal date to avoid being charged for the next billing period. Under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, businesses must make cancelling as easy as signing up, with the subscription rules being brought into force in stages.
Can I get a refund if I change my mind after buying a digital product?
Under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 you have a 14-day cooling-off period to cancel an online purchase, starting from the day the contract is made for services or the day you receive the goods. For digital content the right to cancel can be lost once the download or streaming has started, but only if you gave your consent and acknowledged that you would lose this right. If the product is faulty or does not match its description, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 gives you a right to a repair, replacement or refund regardless of the cooling-off period.
What happens if a multimedia product arrives damaged or never arrives?
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 the seller remains responsible for goods until they reach you, so you should contact the retailer rather than the courier. If a physical item arrives damaged or does not arrive at all, the retailer must replace it or refund you. Keep the packaging and any delivery notes as evidence while the matter is resolved.
How do I make a complaint to a UK multimedia or subscription company?
Start by complaining to the company in writing, stating what went wrong, what remedy you want and a reasonable deadline for their response. Keep copies of all correspondence, your order confirmation and proof of payment. If the company does not resolve the matter, escalate it to an alternative dispute resolution scheme if it is a member of one, and you can also report it to Citizens Advice, which passes reports to Trading Standards.
Which regulators and schemes protect shoppers buying online in the UK?
The Competition and Markets Authority enforces consumer protection law, and Trading Standards services in each local authority enforce consumer law and investigate rogue traders. The Information Commissioner's Office regulates how companies use personal data under UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. The Advertising Standards Authority investigates misleading adverts, and the Financial Ombudsman Service handles disputes about payments made by credit card or other regulated finance.
What are my rights if a subscription service changes its price after I signed up?
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, a term that lets a seller change the price is only fair if the contract gives you a right to end it, and the change must be clearly explained in advance. Price rises during a fixed term are not permitted unless the contract expressly allowed them. If a price increase was not properly notified or you were not given the right to leave, you can cancel and ask for a refund of payments made since the change took effect.
What should I look for when reading reviews of multimedia and subscription companies?
Look for reviews that describe specific experiences, such as how long a refund took, how the company responded to a fault, or how easy cancellation was in practice. Check whether reviews appear across several dates rather than in one burst, and whether the reviewer had actually used the service. Give more weight to detailed negative reviews that explain how the company responded, and be wary of reviews that repeat identical wording.
Do I need to pay VAT or import charges on digital media bought from abroad?
Since January 2021, overseas sellers of digital services and low-value goods to UK consumers must charge UK VAT at 20 per cent on sales, so the price at checkout should include it. Goods imported from outside the UK may also be subject to customs duty and import VAT at the border, which the courier may ask you to pay on delivery. If you are charged import fees by a courier, check whether they were disclosed at checkout and ask the seller for a breakdown.
What should I do if I want to dispute a payment for a subscription I did not authorise?
Contact your bank or card provider as soon as possible, as they can investigate unauthorised transactions and may issue a chargeback. Under the Payment Services Regulations 2017, you are protected from unauthorised payments if you report them promptly, so do not wait weeks to raise the issue. If your bank does not resolve the matter fairly, you can refer it to the Financial Ombudsman Service.