IPTV is a tool that is very prone to piracy these days. UEFA is done with it, and is cracking down on illegal streamers.
Many people see illegal streaming as a “smart” way to avoid subscription fees. UEFA has now put a stop to that. In cooperation with various authorities, the organization has carried out an extensive anti-piracy campaign aimed at cracking down on illegal IPTV services.
The results were impressive: a huge network with more than 22 million users was dismantled and 11 arrests were made. An achievement UEFA is proud of.
This is how UEFA tackles illegal IPTV
IPTV, or Internet Protocol television, is a streaming technology that allows people to watch live TV and on-demand video over the Internet. Legal IPTV services are offered by providers such as Ziggo or KPN, which have the rights to stream TV channels and other content. Illegal IPTV works the same way, but the difference is that the provider has no rights to offer that content.
Large media companies are losing billions of dollars as a result. For them, this is not only a blow to their revenues, but also a threat to the future of premium content. Of course, those companies won’t make your favorite series and sports games for free. Subscription fees are therefore crucial to finance new projects.
How many households use illegal IPTV?
It is difficult to give exact figures, but in 2018 the use of illegal IPTV in the Netherlands was estimated at around 1 million users, generating around €93 million annually. Chances are this is a lot more now.
UEFA has had this trend in its sights for some time and is working with the authorities to tackle this phenomenon. During “Operation Kratos,” which ran during major sporting events such as Euro 2024, a massive network of illegal streaming services was tackled. This led to 112 house searches, a lot of seized items and quite a few suspects.
UEFA welcomes the success of this action and stresses the importance of tackling digital piracy. “The income from TV rights is really indispensable for both pros and amateurs,” said a UEFA spokesman. “Without that money it becomes difficult to invest in the future of soccer, from the big leagues to the local clubs.”
So switch to legal streaming
If you watch soccer illegally via IPTV or other unauthorized devices, it may be time to rethink your choices. Indeed, people have already been arrested, including a 29-year-old man from Liverpool who was jailed for illegally watching matches. The chances of getting caught are increasing, and the consequences can be serious.
Authorities are also increasingly working with Internet service providers to track down IP addresses using illegal streams. In other words, you can get caught faster than you think.
Fortunately, there are plenty of legal ways to follow your favorite teams. Yes, sports subscriptions are not cheap, but with an ESPN day pass you can still watch games without long contracts.
Plus, you can check out free summaries or even live broadcasts through some leagues’ official apps and websites.