Illegal live TV streaming in Germany caused total economic losses of approximately €2.4bn, according to Vaunet, the German association for private audiovisual media.
The figure represents a 33% increase compared to a previous study carried out in 2022, and comes despite technical safeguards, legal proceedings, and public awareness campaigns.
Vaunet said that piracy caused the government to lose approximately €542m in taxes and social security contributions annually – an increase of nearly 40% compared to 2022.
The direct economic loss suffered by media companies amounts to approximately €1.5bn, with additional losses arising throughout the wider value chain.
In 2025, approximately 7.7 million people in Germany illegally accessed linear TV streams, with illegal viewing most prevalent among 16- to 33-year-olds.
The study also shows that the willingness to use legal services increases when illegal alternatives aren’t available.
To combat the illegal viewing, Vauent is calling for: clearer and faster takedown obligations; more effective, dynamic blocking measures; and clearer legal accountability.
Goldmedia conducted this research study on behalf of Vaunet.
Frank Giersberg, Managing Director at Vaunet, said: “The figures show that TV piracy remains a widespread phenomenon that causes significant harm to media providers, media diversity, and the public purse. There is therefore an urgent need for more effective measures to curb illegal TV viewing in the long term and thus protect media diversity.”
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