Wednesday, 11 September 2019
Surge in use of Illicit Streaming Devices amongst online Filipino consumers
Newly released survey finds 34% of online consumers use illicit streaming devices (ISDs) to view pirated TV channels and
video-on-demand content. Two thirds (66%) have accessed streaming piracy websites or torrent sites.
MANILA, Sept 11, 2019 - (ACN Newswire) - A new study of the content viewing behavior of Filipino consumers, revealed
that 34% of consumers use a TV box which can be used to stream pirated television and video content. These TV boxes,
also known as Illicit Streaming Devices (ISDs), allow users to access hundreds of pirated television channels and
video-on-demand content, usually with a low annual subscription fee. TV boxes often come pre-loaded with illegal
applications allowing 'plug-and-play' access to pirated content.
This latest research shows a substantial increase in ISD usage when compared to a similar YouGov study undertaken last
year, which found that 28% of online Filipino consumers used TV boxes to stream pirated content.
The survey, commissioned by the Asia Video Industry Association's Coalition Against Piracy (CAP) and conducted by
YouGov, highlights the detrimental effects of streaming piracy on legitimate subscription video services.
Of the 34% of consumers who purchased a TV box for free streaming, more than half (59%) stated that they had cancelled
all or some of their subscription to legal pay TV services. Specifically, 30% asserted that they cancelled their
International subscription services, which includes pan-Asia-only offerings, as a direct consequence of owning an ISD.
While 24% cancelled a specific part of their cable TV subscription bundles/packages.
The research also found that a staggering two thirds (66%) of online Filipino consumers have accessed streaming piracy
websites or torrent sites to access premium content without paying any subscription fees.
In addition to the short-term problem of cancelled subscriptions is a longer term problem - namely, many of the people
streaming pirated content are young. The survey found that 45% of 18-24 year-olds and 46% of 25-34 year olds used ISDs
or other apps/services to view infringing entertainment content.
A Bill currently before the Philippine Senate entitled the 'Online Infringement Act' proposes an administrative site
blocking mechanism which would empower the authorities to ensure that ISPs take "reasonable steps to disable access to
sites whenever these sites are reported to be infringing copyright or facilitating copyright infringement."
"The proliferation of ISDs in the market as an access of pirated content affects the livelihood of people in the local
creative and film industries. There is a need to continue educating the public that online piracy is unsafe that can put
data privacy and devices at risk. We encourage everyone to watch content using legitimate sources only," Globe President
and CEO Ernest Cu said.
Optical Media Board (OMB) Chairman and CEO Atty. Anselmo Adriano said that the ISDs are storage devices, even if that
storage is transient and part of the buffering process. "Any digital device with a storage capability to store pirated
content, no matter how small, is covered by the Optical Media Act or Republic Act 9239," Adriano said.
Neil Gane, the General Manager of AVIA's Coalition Against Piracy (CAP) commented: "The illicit streaming device (ISD)
ecosystem is impacting all businesses involved in the production and distribution of legitimate content. Effective
enforcement and disruption solutions are key, such as an efficient site blocking mechanism disabling access to egregious
ISD applications and piracy streaming websites and meaningful cooperation with e-platforms where ISDs are openly sold."
About Globe
Globe is a leading full-service telecommunications company in the Philippines and publicly listed in the PSE with the
stock symbol GLO. The company serves the telecommunications and technology needs of consumers and businesses across an
entire suite of products and services including mobile, fixed, broadband, data connectivity, internet and managed
services. It has major interests in financial technology, digital marketing solutions, venture capital funding for
startups, and virtual healthcare. In 2019, Globe became a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact, committing to
implement universal sustainability principles. Its principals are Ayala Corporation and Singtel, acknowledged industry
leaders in the country and in the region.
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