Illegal streaming is a false economy

New research from BeStreamWise reveals the stark risks of illegal streaming. While many consumers think they’re saving money, the reality is it’s a false economy. The financial and security risks of illegal streaming far outweigh any perceived benefits. 

Research conducted by Censuswide among 2,000+ Brits, nationally representative sample, between 16 and 20 October 2025.

Here are the key findings from our latest research:

1. Nearly two in five (39%) illegal streamers have suffered financial losses due to cybercrime linked to piracy.
2. The average amount stolen is £1,680. One in ten have lost more than £5,000.
3. In contrast, illegal streamers estimate they save just £13.38 a month, on average, by not paying for official subscriptions. This is around £160 a year.
4. The money illegal streamers place at risk is therefore 950% higher than the annual estimated savings.
5. Two in five (39%) have also suffered attempted hacks to steal personal and private information on their mobile phones when streaming illegally.
6. Nearly two-thirds (65%) have had security scares, such as malware or scam pop-ups, while streaming illegally.
7. 36% have had at least one security scare, while 30% have had multiple scares.
8. Many victims don’t report incidents: only 31% notified authorities, while 60% kept it from family and 66% from friends.
9. Just 15% of illegal streamers are always cognisant of the risks they face from hackers.
10. Over two thirds (68%) of illegal streamers are concerned about hackers accessing their personal data, and around the same amount (64%) say they are concerned about financial fraud.