ONE in four Filipino consumers use pirated TV boxes, a survey finds.
In a recently conducted YouGov study of the content viewing behavior of Filipino consumers, it was revealed that one in four consumers (28 percent) use a TV box which can be used to stream pirated television and video content.
These TV boxes, also known as Illicit Streaming Devices (ISDs), allow users to access hundreds of pirated television channels and video-on-demand content, usually with a low annual fee. TV boxes often come pre-loaded with pirated applications allowing ‘plug-and-play’ access to pirated content. The survey found that Showbox (11 percent), CloudTV (nine percent), FunTV (six percent), and Hug U Box (five percent), are among the most popular pirated applications among Filipino consumers.
The survey, commissioned by Avia’s Coalition Against Piracy (Cap) and conducted by YouGov, also highlighted the detrimental effects of streaming piracy on legitimate online subscription services. Of the 28 percent of consumers who purchased an ISD, close to one in five (18 percent) stated that they cancelled all or some of their subscription to legal pay TV services.
Specifically, 15 percent asserted that they cancelled their local pay television subscriptions as a direct consequence of owning an ISD. International subscription services, which includes pan-Asia-only offerings, were impacted the most – almost one in four (23 percent) Filipino users have abandoned subscriptions in favor of ISD purchases.
#PlayItRight campaign
Globe Telecom president and chief executive officer Ernest Cu revealed that the behavioral insights in the study found by YouGov have strengthened the company’s resolve to reach more Filipinos in its education drive against pirated websites and illicit streaming devices.
“We will actively collaborate with members of Avia and Cap and other content partners to push our #PlayItRight anti-piracy campaign to ensure a wider reach,” Cu said.
“The Philippines Cable Television Association (PCTA) has always stood against piracy and the association is alarmed at the results of the YouGov survey which serves as a call to work even harder to stamp out piracy in the Philippines, together with Avia and Cap” said PCTA president Joel Dabao.
In addition to the short-term problem of cancelled subscriptions is a longer-term problem –many of the people using ISDs are young.
The survey found that ISDs are particularly favored among 18-24 year-olds, with more than half (57 percent) cancelling legitimate subscription services as a result of owning ISDs, especially international subscriptions (32 percent).
Cancelling legitimate subscription services and paying less for access to pirated content is fraught with risks.
“The damage that piracy does to the creative industries is without dispute. However, the damage done to consumers themselves, because of the nexus between content piracy and malware, is only beginning to be recognized. Piracy websites and applications typically have a click-happy user base, and as such are being used more and more as clickbait to distribute malware. Unfortunately, the appetite for ‘free’ or cheap subscription pirated content blinds users from the very real risks of malware infection,” said Avia Cap’s general Neil Gane.
Globe Telecom earlier expressed its support for Senate Bill No. 2109, also known as the Philippine Online Infringement Act. (PR)