Video industry faces threat as Pinoys shift to pirated TV boxes

More than one in four Filipino consumers use pirated TV boxes, survey finds.

In a recently conducted YouGov study of the content viewing behavior of Filipino consumers, it was revealed that more than one in four consumers (28%) 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%), CloudTV (9%), FunTV (6%), and Hug U Box (5%), are among the most popular pirated applications amongst Filipino consumers.

The survey, commissioned by AVIA’s Coalition Against Piracy (CAP) and conducted by YouGov, also highlights the detrimental effects of streaming piracy on legitimate online subscription services. Of the 28% of consumers who purchased an ISD, close to one in five (18%) stated that they cancelled all or some of their subscription to legal pay TV services. Specifically, 15% 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%) Filipino users have abandoned subscriptions in favor of ISD purchases.

Globe Telecom President and CEO 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 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 Joel Dabao, President of the Philippines Cable Television Association.

“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 recognised,” General Manager of AVIA’s Coalition Against Piracy Neil Gane said.  (PR)