Satellite piracy: A fully-fledged business

As premium channels across the globe battle against those with little regard for intellectual property rights, the broadcast industry needs to work together to tackle the scourge of satellite piracy, according to industry experts.

Attacks – both online and to content delivered via satellite – have grown in sophistication and scale, at a cost to rights holders and those tasked with the legitimate delivery of content.

Es’hailSat Executive Director of Commercial Hamad Al Mannai told IBC365: “Piracy of content is a major concern, not just in Middle East, but it is a global concern that needs to be addressed by the industry.

“From our experience in the Middle East, illicit streaming devices are easily available in the market that offer users with an entire bouquet of illegally acquired channels from various regions, causing major financial impact to content owners and broadcasters.”

Mannai pointed to Es’hailSat’s anchor customer, beIN, a sports broadcaster which has fallen victim to…