Content creators and channels face financial setbacks during the crisis.
Even though they are known for their well-organized societies, several Nordic countries rank as some of the top consumers of illicit television services within Europe. This conclusion comes from a study conducted by a media analysis service.
Mediavision
Has underscored the escalating issue in Sweden. Regardless of attempts to reduce piracy, the usage of illicit content like movies, TV shows, and sporting events continues to grow. During fall 2024, more than 700,000 Swedish homes subscribed to these services, indicating a 25% increase since spring 2024.
Overall, Denmark and Sweden recorded a 13% uptake of illegal IPTV (internet protocol television); standing at 10% in Norway and 8% in Finland. Industry body
EUIPO
notes a similar rise in traffic to illicit internet protocol television (IPTV) sites across Europe.
The issue is very simple, illegal IPTV allows users to access thousands of TV channels and streaming services at a significantly lower monthly cost than legal services as they are not paying for them. Mediavision estimates that there are currently about 5 million pirate users in the Nordics, aged 15-74 – a year-on-year growth of 0.4 million.
losses exceeding 7 million euros each month just in Sweden
The new levels of piracy come at a time when local production is achieving a high level of respect, particularly in the domain of TV series. But the sector is fragile. Inevitably, the loss of revenue affects these productions as local channels often help finance them. Some services are being sold openly from as little as €9 per month. In Sweden alone, this means more than €7 million per month is not going to the people that create the content.
Natalia Borelius
, who works as a project manager at Mediavision, informed an industry magazine
Cineuropa
: “
The high level of digitization among Nordic consumers might account for the prevalence of piracy in this region.
”
In early 2024, the Swedish government introduced an extra regulation aimed at potentially banning private citizens from using unauthorized IPTV services. Additionally, television corporations such as Discovery, TV4, and Viaplay initiated legal action against telecommunications providers including Telia, Telenor, Tele2, and Hi3G Access AB, urging these firms to take stricter measures against illicit IPTV operations.
(Michael Leahy. Source: Cineuropa. Image: Karolina Grabows / Pexels)
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