Study: Europe takes €3.2bn IPTV piracy hit

December 16th, 2022

An independent study undertaken by Bournemouth University on illicit IPTV in Europe for trade body the Audiovisual Anti-Piracy Alliance (AAPA) estimates that the legitimate industry lost €3.21 billion in 2021 alone as a result of consumers using illicit IPTV piracy services. The illicit IPTV service providers gained €1.06 billion.

The study, Illicit IPTV in Europe, indicates that 17 million Europeans – slightly fewer people than the population of The Netherlands – accessed illicit IPTV services. The use 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.

“This study highlights the very real damage done to legitimate pay-TV providers by widespread use of illicit IPTV piracy by Europe’s citizens,” states Mark Mulready, Co-President of AAPA, and VP Cyber Services at Irdeto, said. “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.”