Illegal streaming has been on the rise in recent times, a trend fueled by the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. Many households in the UK are seeking more affordable ways to access premium content, leading them to turn to unofficial platforms that offer full services at a fraction of the legitimate price.
Despite the temptation, illegal streaming continues to draw attention, with a well-known service, providing access to Sky channels and other content, being permanently shut down. This move has left subscribers who had paid for the service at a loss.
In a significant development, Nishan Silva, a 34-year-old individual from Hitchin, has been sentenced to three years in jail by UK authorities for his involvement in operating an illicit IPTV service. The platform, known as Andy UTV and Ultimate TV Service, attracted thousands of users.
Appearing at Inner London Crown Court on October 2, Silva admitted to various offenses, including distributing copyrighted material and engaging in criminal activities related to the service. Previously employed as an accountant, Silva played a key role in managing the illegal subscription-based platform.
The platform provided illegal access to multiple streaming services to UK households and is estimated to have generated substantial revenue amounting to hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Detective Constable Daryl Fryatt of the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit described Silva as an intelligent accountant who misused his skills and position for criminal activities. Fryatt emphasized the unit’s commitment to pursuing criminals profiting from illegal streaming and disrupting their operations.
Matt Hibbert, Group Director of Anti-Piracy at Sky, expressed gratitude to the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit for their efforts in prosecuting the case. He highlighted the seriousness with which such crimes are regarded by the courts and reiterated Sky’s dedication to combatting content theft and safeguarding consumers from the dangers associated with illegal streaming.
In addition to the closure of illicit streaming services, viewers are cautioned about the risks of malware exposure and accessing inappropriate content through illegal streaming platforms.