The European pay-TV industry lost €3.21 billion in 2021 due to nearly 17.1 million consumers aged 16-74 using illicit IPTV pirate services.
At the same time, according to an independent study published by the Audiovisual Anti-Piracy Alliance (AAPA) and undertaken by Bournemouth University, illicit IPTV service providers gained €1.06 billion.
The report highlights the fact that the 17 million figure was slightly less than the population of the Netherlands, while usage of illicit IPTV services was even higher among the 16-24 age group, with 5.9 million, slightly more than the population of Finland, consuming illicit IPTV. It also says that all told, illicit IPTV services were used 4.5% of the EU27+UK population.
The highest share of the population using such services was in the Netherlands (8.2%) and lowest in Romania (0.8%).
Commenting on the report Mark Mulready, co-president of AAPA, and VP Cyber Services at Irdeto, said: “This study highlights the very real damage done to legitimate pay-TV providers by widespread use of illicit IPTV piracy by Europe’s citizens. It is clear that our industry, law enforcement and legislators must take more stringent steps to stem the growing use of this form of piracy. Consumer awareness must play a central role too. AAPA will continue to devote itself to fighting this crime”.
Sheila Cassells, executive VP of AAPA, added: “this Bournemouth University study provides an update of research done for the EUIPO Observatory on Intellectual Property Infringements three years ago. Despite the efforts of industry and law enforcement more needs to be done. Legislators and policymakers must take every opportunity to help reduce piracy and, in that context, it is regrettable that the Commission has responded to the calls for legislation to mitigate live event piracy by proposing a non-legislative Recommendation. Anti-piracy legislation must have real teeth if we are to make serious inroads into reducing its impact. It is important to note that the study addresses only one method of accessing pirate services and, hence, the impact will be even larger”.
