Media association: 5.9 million people illegally stream television – 1.8 billion euros in damage

In Germany, 5.9 million people are said to be illegally receiving television programs. This was determined by the Association of Private Media, VAUNET, and put the economic damage at 1.8 billion euros. At the same time, the state budget and social security funds would be short of EUR 380 million, since no taxes are due on the sum.

The Association of Private Media says illicit consumption of TV content has become mainstream. 24 to 33 year olds would use the illegal offers most frequently; However, the age groups up to 63 have also made a significant contribution to the doubling of the numbers since 2018. According to the study, the time consumed has also increased significantly – 72 percent watch illegal content from linear television at least once a week; In 2018 it was still 54 percent.

Only illegally consumed content from classic, linear television was measured. This does not include illegal streaming of series and films that also take place on linear television. It is often live events that are consumed, which is also reflected in the fact that 80 percent of users are male. They will often be interested in sports – above all, of course, football.

Frank Giersberg, Managing Director of VAUNET: “The results of the report clearly show that the use of illegal live TV signals is still a mass phenomenon with serious economic and social consequences. We therefore repeat our appeal to politicians and regulators: Live content needs a Live protection on the Internet. So far, we have been missing a clear signal of support from Brussels and nationally – and we expect that to change in the near future.”

Such expert opinions, financed by interest groups, are often just as controversial as the statement of the economic damage that arises. While the victims assume that every illegal user is a paying customer, realistically one has to reckon with the fact that some would simply not consume the content at all. Similar arguments are known from the file sharing debate.

Source: VAUNET