• Illegal streaming costs the UK economy at least £1.35 billion in lost revenue every year, equivalent to over 10,000 fewer jobs, including more than 4,000 in broadcasting and media production
• The Exchequer loses an estimated £366 million a year in tax revenues – the same cost as more than 9,000 qualified NHS nurses or 140 million free school meals
• BeStreamWise calls for government and industry action to increase awareness of the risks of piracy and make illegal content harder to access 

Illegal streaming is costing the UK economy more than a billion pounds a year, equivalent to over ten thousand fewer jobs, a new report reveals.

The Price of Piracy, published today, estimates that pirated content across sport, film, and television wipes £1.35 billion from the UK economy annually and deprives the Exchequer of £366 million in tax revenues. That is enough to pay for 9,400 qualified NHS nurses, 140 million free school meals or 43 million funded childcare hours.

The report, produced by WPI Economics and commissioned by BeStreamWise – a cross-industry initiative which raises awareness of the dangers of illegal streaming also reveals the dire consequences of illegal streaming on jobs in broadcasting, media production, and other creative industries.

It estimates that the lost revenue translates into 10,400 fewer jobs in the economy including 4,200 in broadcasting and media production, and 6,200 across connected sectors such as advertising, publishing, retail, and the wider creative economy. 

BeStreamWise is now calling on the government and the wider industry to take coordinated action to clamp down on the availability and visibility of illegal streaming services, while helping consumers understand the risks. 

This includes Government doing more to raise consumer awareness alongside existing fraud-prevention activity and working with industry to make illegal services harder to find and access.

Sir John Whittingdale MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Intellectual Property, said: "This report should act as a wake-up call: intellectual property theft and illegal streaming is a serious threat and urgent action is needed. The report provides concrete evidence that piracy costs the UK economy more than £1 billion every year and jeopardises thousands of creative industry jobs. It also directly exposes consumers to the risk of fraud, with some individuals losing thousands of pounds. 

“Government and Parliament need to work together with industry to enforce the law, to protect investment and to safeguard jobs in one of Britain's crown jewel sectors."

Matt Hibbert, Group Director Anti-Piracy at Sky said, "Illegal streaming isn’t a victimless crime. It takes money out of the creative economy that would otherwise support investment in British television, film and sport, while exposing consumers to fraud, scams and identity theft.

“This report shows the scale of what is being lost to piracy and why Government and industry need to work together to protect British creativity, jobs and consumers.”

Liz Bales, Chief Executive at the British Association for Screen Entertainment (BASE), adds, "Piracy has a direct impact on the UK's world-leading creative industry by funnelling money away from investment in new productions, talent and opportunities. Illegal streaming simultaneously puts consumers at risk, opening them up to the dangers of malware which can allow criminals to steal banking details and other key personal information as well as make devices unusable.

“We have spent almost two decades working closely with the industry to tackle infringement and educate consumers on the safest way to enjoy the films and TV shows they love, but as viewing habits and piracy tactics continue to evolve, this increasingly requires a more integrated approach. 

“We welcome the publication of The Price of Piracy report and very much look forward to further collaborative efforts across the industry and beyond to protect consumers, the content they watch, and the creative industry that makes it happen."

Piracy is holding back investment in UK film, TV, and sport

The report warns that the impact of illegal streaming goes beyond lost revenue. Broadcasters’ income is regularly reinvested into new films and TV shows, supporting independent production companies and jobs across the country. Meanwhile, revenues from sports broadcasting rights can go towards supporting women’s sport, young talent development, and grassroots participation.