In 2025, approximately 7.7 million people in Germany illegally accessed linear TV streams. Illegal viewing is most prevalent among 16- to 33-year-olds, and also prevalent among those 65 and older. For nearly three-quarters of respondents, illegal streaming is the most convenient way to watch linear TV. The study also showed that the willingness to use legal services increases when illegal alternatives aren’t available.
The new findings were part of a research study conducted by Goldmedia, published by VAUNET, the German Media Association.
Statistical details
The study found that costs associated with lost programming – program rights, wages and salaries – were estimated at €814 million. Smart TVs and TV-connected streaming devices accounted for 67% of illegal viewing, followed by smartphones (54%) and tablets (38%). Card-sharing on traditional pay TV set-top boxes was nearly nil in 2025 (4%). The percentages add up to more than 100% because individual users access illegal services via multiple devices.
64% of respondents said that access to illegal streams was either “very easy” or “fairly easy.” The average usage time for illegal linear TV streams per day was about 81 minutes per day; highest among men aged 16-49. The percentage of women was higher among respondents over 50.
In addition, to losses accruing to rights holders and distributors, the government loses approximately €542 million in taxes and social security contributions annually – an increase of nearly 40 per cent compared to 2022. The direct economic loss suffered by media companies amounts to approximately €1.5 billion, with additional losses arising throughout the wider value chain.
VAUNET therefore calls for:
- Clearer and faster takedown obligations: Platforms and hosting services should be required to remove illegal content within a very short timeframe.
- More effective, dynamic blocking measures: Access providers should be able to quickly and flexibly block illegal livestreams and alternative services during live transmissions.
- Clearer legal accountability: Rights holders must be able to take action against illegal services more quickly without first having to go through the time-consuming process of identifying the perpetrators, who usually operate anonymously.
Methodology
The study combined two different empirical approaches for a robust measurement of the extent of moving image piracy. First, online activities (mobile and stationary) of n=2,500 users in Germany were evaluated (02-04/2025) using a passive online measurement panel (Passive Metering).
Second, an online survey among n=504 users of illegal linear TV streams (mobile, stationary or on the TV device; 06/2025) aged 16 and over was conducted. In addition, the use of illegal linear TV streams by children between 6 and 15 years old was collected by querying their parents (n=269).
Why it matters
Illegal live TV streaming in Germany has continued to rise. In 2025, it caused total economic losses of approximately €2.4 billion in Germany. Compared to the previous study in 2022, this represents a 33 per cent increase – despite technical safeguards, legal proceedings and public awareness campaigns.
“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,” said Frank Giersberg, Managing Director at VAUNET:
VAUNET says that more effective action against piracy is needed – with faster legal proceedings, clearer obligations and stronger technical measures.
Further reading
Study reveals annual losses of €2.4 billion from illegal TV streaming – with piracy continuing to rise sharply. Press release. May 28, 2026. VAUNET (Geman Association of Private Media)
Link to this study (.pdf – in German)
