Persons using IPTV services to illegally stream sports have been warned of the possibility of facing long prison sentences of up to ten years in the UK. Although this has so far been only reported in the UK, the situation in Malta is also rife and providers such as Go and Melita have long been warning of a crackdown.
Man sent to prison for 8 years in Thessaloniki, Greece
Incidentally a recent judgement in Greece (also an EU country) was handed down where a man received an 8 year prison sentence as well as a £14,000 fine for setting up illegal IPTV streams for a number of years.
With subscription prices from major broadcasters like Sky Sports and TNT Sports continuing to rise, many fans have turned to alternative ways to access live football and other sports. Among these alternatives are Amazon Fire TV Sticks and Internet Protocol Television (IPTV), which uses broadband connections to deliver live programming.
However, broadcasters and sports organizations, including the Premier League, have intensified their crackdown on illegal streaming service providers and those who distribute these services to others. The message is clear: those involved in the unauthorized sharing of paid content risk facing substantial legal consequences as authorities step up efforts to protect broadcasting rights and revenue.
Trading Standards issues dire warning for illegal IPTV distributors in UK
In August, two brothers were sentenced to a combined 11 years in prison after being found guilty of conspiracy to defraud for illegally streaming IPTV content from 2012 to 2019, charging customers £200 annually.
Now, Trading Standards has issued a firm warning to viewers of illegal streams. A statement on their website outlines the risks of using unlawful streaming devices, highlighting concerns over malware, viruses, spyware, electrical safety, and potential connections to organized crime.
The statement also addresses the possibility of prison sentences for illegal streamers but clarifies that enforcement will “most likely” focus on those profiting from the sale of illegal content. According to Trading Standards, “The Digital Economy Act 2017 means people can now face ten-year prison sentences for illegally streaming copyright content. However, the new law will most likely target individuals and groups making a business out of selling illegal content.”
Where are we going on IPTV?
Several IPTV providers causing significant challenges are based outside of Europe, making them harder to counter directly. Internet Service Provider (ISP) blocking is one response, but authorities are increasingly targeting resellers as well. Resellers purchase IPTV subscriptions at a discounted rate from providers, enabling them to profit by selling the subscriptions locally.
Operating in their own markets, resellers effectively act as a local point of contact for IPTV providers, often within larger but loosely connected networks. While this allows resellers to serve dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of customers–potentially earning substantial profits–it also makes them directly vulnerable to law enforcement efforts cracking down on illegal streaming.
Sports Editor
Veteran Journalist
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