Illegal Content Distribution on Greek Island of Rhodes
Another blow to the illegal distribution of subscription TV content was dealt by the Greek police, this time on the island of Rhodes. According to reports, a major reseller on the island was arrested in a coordinated operation by the Cybercrime Prosecution police in the early hours of Friday. Large sums of money and digital devices have been seized.
Authorities are now focusing on the extensive client list found in his possession from all over the island of Rhodes, as well as other areas.
The Impact of Piracy on Greek TV Subscription Platforms
In Greece, the issue of piracy continues to plague the TV subscription industry, with an estimated 50,000 illegal subscribers currently under investigation by law enforcement. Once again, illegal user devices were found discarded in fear of potential arrests.
It is worth noting that pirate platforms in Greece are believed to have between 600,000 to 800,000 subscribers, while legal Greek TV subscription platforms have 1.3 million subscribers. As a result, Greek subscription platforms face an annual revenue loss of at least €125 million.
The Impact of Piracy on Subscription Television Platforms
Investments in acquiring sports broadcasting rights, both national and international, on Greek subscription television platforms have been significantly affected by piracy. Illegal streaming not only causes financial losses for the platforms, but also for the Greek state in terms of VAT, income tax, and other contributions, amounting to at least 75 million euros annually.
Last week, it was announced that a 25-year-old individual was caught in the “web” of the Cybercrime Prosecution for illegal streaming activities on subscription television platforms. This case serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of piracy on the television industry, both economically and legally.
Cosmote TV and Nova reach agreement to exchange their sports channels
Starting from August 23rd, Cosmote TV and Nova have agreed to exchange their sports channels in an effort to combat piracy. Under this agreement, Cosmote TV subscribers will have access to Novasports channels, while Nova subscribers will have access to Cosmote Sport channels, by paying a small additional fee (3 euros for Cosmote TV and 1 euro for Nova, depending on their subscription package).