German Streaming Piracy Losses Hit €2.4 Billion in 2025, Up 33%
Illegal TV streaming in Germany caused €2.4bn in total economic losses in 2025, a 33% increase from 2022. This includes €1.5bn in direct losses for media companies and €542m in lost tax revenue, with an estimated 7.7 million users illegally accessing linear TV streams. Vaunet is calling for clearer takedown obligations, more effective blocking measures, and legal accountability to combat this issue.
Key Takeaways
- Illegal TV streaming in Germany caused €2.4 billion in economic losses in 2025.
- This represents a 33% increase in losses compared to Vaunet's 2022 study.
- Media companies faced €1.5 billion in direct losses, with the government losing €542 million in tax revenue.
- Approximately 7.7 million Germans illegally accessed linear TV streams in 2025.
- Vaunet is pushing for clearer takedown obligations, dynamic blocking, and stronger legal accountability.
Why It Matters
The escalating economic impact of illegal streaming in Germany underscores persistent challenges for content owners and distributors. Despite technical safeguards and awareness campaigns, pirate activity continues to divert significant revenue from media companies and public coffers. This trend indicates that current anti-piracy measures may be insufficient, driving advocacy for more aggressive regulatory and technological interventions. The focus on improved takedown obligations and dynamic blocking mechanisms highlights a growing need for faster, more adaptive responses to evolving piracy tactics. Industry players should watch legislative developments in Germany, and potentially the EU, as regulators analyze the effectiveness of new proposed anti-piracy frameworks.
Read full article at ibc.org
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