This study is published at a time of growing cybersecurity concerns across Europe and globally. These concerns are also acute in the context of illicit IPTV, which threatens the protection of legitimate audiovisual content and can expose users to cyber risks.

Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) allows television content to be delivered over the internet. As legitimate streaming services have become more widely available, illicit IPTV services have also grown, offering access to audiovisual content without the authorisation of rights holders.

The Audiovisual Anti-Piracy Alliance (AAPA) works with the industry, public authorities and law enforcement to tackle piracy and support the protection of intellectual property. Raising awareness of the scale and effects of illicit IPTV is an important part of this work.

Illicit IPTV has expanded, operating at scale and raising concerns that reach beyond copyright infringement. The study estimates that in 2025 illicit IPTV was accessed by 34.4 million people in the EU27, the United Kingdom and Switzerland (8.9% of the population aged 16–74); 7.1 million in the Western Balkans and Türkiye (9.3%); and 14.8 million in Algeria, Egypt and Morocco (11.4%). The study also estimates the economic effects on legitimate providers, public finances and employment.

IPTV as well as broader audiovisual piracy is not an isolated copyright issue. It increasingly forms part of a wider criminal ecosystem. Illegal services can expose users to phishing, malware and data theft, while diverting revenues that support rights holders, jobs and investment in new content.

Rapid expansion and development of AI bring new enforcement challenges. It can make existing piracy operations faster, more scalable and harder to detect. AI’s rapid development reinforces the need for effective, adaptable responses.

Legal rights are only as meaningful as the mechanisms available to enforce them. Effective action requires trusted cooperation among rights holders, public authorities, law enforcement, online platforms, hosting providers and other intermediaries.

AAPA leads efforts to build partnerships and promote effective action against audiovisual piracy. This economic report aims to inform these efforts and support responses that protect both the audiovisual sector and the audiences it serves.

Miruna Herovanu
Executive Director
The Audiovisual Anti-Piracy Alliance (AAPA)