Threat intelligence firm Silent Push has uncovered a massive international pirate IPTV operation that has been streaming content from popular services such as Netflix, Disney, Amazon, and the Premier League. While the existence of pirated content is not new, the sheer scale of this operation has taken many by surprise.
According to Silent Push, the operation was hosted across more than 1,000 domain names and over 10,000 IP addresses. One of the websites involved, JVTVlive, claimed to operate 2,000 servers in 198 countries—a claim that Silent Push believes to be accurate. These IPTV services sold subscriptions, with JVTVlive offering access to 22,500 channels and 100,000 movies and TV shows for $15 per month. The site has since been taken offline and is currently in ‘maintenance mode.’
Impact on the Entertainment Industry
The firm reported that content from over 20 major brands was being pirated, including Prime Video, Bein Sports, Disney Plus, Formula 1, HBO, Viaplay, and Netflix, among others. The Audiovisual Anti-Piracy Alliance, which protects the interests of content holders like Canal+ Group and Sky, issued a report in 2022 indicating that pirate IPTV services in Europe cost the industry €3.21 billion in 2021, while pirates generated €1.06 billion in revenue that same year.
Meanwhile, a 2024 report by London-based data company MUSO highlighted a decline in piracy from 2023-2024. TV piracy remains the dominant form of pirated content consumption, with 96.8 billion visits globally—a 6.8% decrease from the previous year. Film piracy also saw a decline, with visits dropping 18% year on year to 24.3 billion. MUSO suggests that this decline may be linked to the reduced output of Hollywood titles due to production delays.
Changing Trends in Piracy
The publishing industry, however, experienced an increase in piracy, driven largely by the consumption of manga, which accounted for over 70% of activity. The largest volume of pirate traffic originated in the US, with 26.7 billion visits, or 12.33% of the total. India followed in second place with 17.6 billion visits, while Australia did not make it into the top 20.
A 2024 Deloitte study found that most pirates cited access to content, rather than cost, as the primary reason for accessing pirated content, with 42% of respondents indicating this concern. Additionally, 40% attributed their piracy to obtaining quicker access to content. Furthermore, 25% of respondents admitted to engaging in password sharing to access streaming services they do not subscribe to themselves.
Implications and Future Outlook
The exposure of this extensive piracy network underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the entertainment industry in combating illegal streaming. As content providers and anti-piracy organizations continue to develop more sophisticated methods to protect intellectual property, the battle against piracy remains a moving target.
Experts suggest that enhancing legal streaming options and improving access to content globally could be effective strategies in reducing piracy. The industry is also urged to focus on consumer education, highlighting the risks and consequences associated with illegal streaming activities.
As the digital landscape evolves, the entertainment sector must adapt to these changes, ensuring that legitimate content distribution methods remain attractive and accessible to audiences worldwide. The future of content consumption will likely hinge on the industry’s ability to innovate and respond to the ever-changing demands of consumers.
