Sporting industry faces problems with illegal broadcasting

The problems that have faced the music and entertainment industry when it comes to illegal file sharing and downloads have been highlighted recently, but according to a recent report the sporting industry is also facing similar challenges.

There has been a lot of controversy over how illegal file sharing and downloading is affecting the music and entertainment industry recently, with bosses in these industries claiming that the sector is being hit hard by broadband users that are illegally sharing files and downloading content. However, it seems that the sporting industry is also suffering according to one recent report.

It has been claimed that a website in the Netherlands is illegally streaming UK football games, making it difficult for the industry to enter into deals with broadcasters because of how easy it has become for broadband users to gain access to sporting events illegally. It is further claimed that the Premiere League is now looking at shutting this website down.

A range of Premiere League matches are said to have been shown illegally recently via the website, as well as a wide range of other UK and non UK sporting events. The Premiere League is said to make around one billion pounds per year from selling the rights to screen its games to broadcasters but this illegal streaming could mean that its profits are dented because more and more people are able to access the games illegally.

One industry official said that online piracy was a growing problem for the sporting industry, stating: “If you don’t allow someone to watch [games] from an official source, then the pirates do it for you. The biggest problem is the 3pm Premier League kick-offs.”

Source – U.TV