According to research by Goldmedia conducted for Vaunet, the German linear TV market lost €1.8B in 2022 directly because of piracy, and made further losses of €390m from foregone taxes and social security contributions. The Berlin-based trade body Vaunet revealed that 5.9 million people in Germany watched illegal live TV signals last year, with 72% doing so at least once a week – an 18 percentage point rise from 2018.
The research also shows that men aged 24-33 are the demographic who watch illegal live TV streams the most, however a rise has been observed across the entire German population aged between 24-63. Vaunet says the share of older viewers watching illegal live TV streams has risen significantly from 2018.
According to the research, those watching illegal linear TV streams did so for 73 minutes per day, on average in 2022.
Frank Giersberg, Managing Director of Vaunet, said: “The results of the study show illegal consumption of live TV remains a mass phenomenon with serious economic and social consequences. Once again, we appeal to the government and regulators: live content needs live protection on the internet. We see no clear sign of support from Brussels or the German government, and demand changes be made promptly.”
