Listen: More than a third of Premier League football fans regularly watch matches online via unofficial streams, according to a poll done by BBC 5 live.
Unofficial streams are illegal and broadcasters are determined to stop people from watching unofficial streams. Last season, average viewing on Sky’s live TV channels fell by 14 per cent.
Speaking to Jim Taylor, ‘Dave’ who didn’t want to be identified, explained why he uses a legally bought Kodi box to illegally watch Premier League football.
The Premier League said: ‘Fans should know that these pre-loaded boxes enable pirate broadcasts of Premier League football, and other popular content, and are illegal.’
‘The Premier League will continue to protect its copyright, and the legitimate investment made by its broadcasting partners.’
This clip is originally from 5 live Daily on Tuesday 4 July 2017.
Holding my hands up
I subscribe to both Sky and BT Sport (have done since the beginning) and love watching Manchester City on my TV but I have to hold my hands up and say, I have been guilty in the past of watching City via illegal streams when the aforementioned subscription channels have not shown our games, live. This is usually when they kick off at 3pm on a Saturday afternoon.
Having said that, I stopped watching the illegal internet streams (I have never had Kodi) a couple of years ago when I read media reports about the legal jargon and how I was part of a growing number of viewers who were basically ripping off the Premier League and their copyrighted material.
A new report says a third of Premier League fans regularly watch live football via unofficial streaming.
An often frustrating experience… pic.twitter.com/Pc6Q2y3BzU
? Paddy Power (@paddypower) July 4, 2017
Chap being interviewed
His reasoning for watching illegal football streams simply do not stand up to scrutiny. In fact his case is flawed and his excuses are pathetic.
Illegal streams in pubs and clubs
I’ve been into pubs (who hasn’t) when they’ve been showing the 3pm kick offs. Having said that, prosecutions have deterred the majority of them and now they are as rare as rocking horse do-dah.
There are arguments both in favour and against showing legal and live 3pm kick offs (Sky & BT) within the UK but I’ll leave that subject for another day.