US-based researcher and consultancy BB Media segments the causes of piracy into three categories. First is availability. Even though consumers in Spanish-speaking countries subscribe to multiple services, they often struggle to find the content they want. On average, Spanish households subscribe to 2.36 platforms, while in Latin America, the number is 2.26. A major cause of piracy is the lack of availability of specific titles, even with multiple subscriptions.
Another key factor is limited access to new movies and series releases. Many users resort to piracy because they cannot find new premiere seasons or recent films on legal platforms shortly after their theatrical debut.
BB Media’s third major piracy driver is demand for sports content. Football (soccer) is the most illegally streamed sport, with 82% of pirated sports content being football matches, followed by combat sports (23%) and motorsports (22%). The most frequently pirated events include major leagues and first-division tournaments, both at the international and national levels.
Hard to ignore
Piracy within Latin America was estimated as having over 40% penetration among internet-connected households in 2024; equivalent to nearly 24 million homes. In Spain, 30% of households, or over 5 million homes, use illegal services to access content.
The methods of access differ between regions. In Latin America, the most common approach is through illegal streaming websites, which offer a vast selection of movies, series, and live TV channels. In Spain, piracy is more reliant on apps and M3U playlists, which users download from various sources to stream content illegally.
Demand for Pirated Content in 2024
BB Media analyzed the most offered pirated content in the Spanish-speaking market, and found that recent movie releases dominate:
- The Wild Robot (2024) ranked first in both Latam and Spain, despite its availability on 8 platforms in LATAM and 3 streaming services in Spain. It appears on 75 illegal sites.
- The Substance (2024) follows, accessible on Prime Video, Apple TV, and MUBI in LATAM and Filmin in Spain, yet pirated across 68 platforms.
For series television, the trend is similar:
- The Penguin (2024) (Max original) is the most pirated series in Latam.
- Highway (2024) leads in Spain.
- Other popular pirated shows include High Potential (Disney+) and Landman (Paramount+ & Claro Video).
Original post
Audiovisual Piracy in LatAm and Spain: Trends and Challenges. Article. February 2025. BB Media.
Why it matters
BB Media recognizes that governments, tech companies and copyright organizations continue to take action against piracy. Measures such as blocking illegal websites, removing unauthorized content and launching awareness campaigns aim to reduce its impact. However, many users remain unaware of how piracy affects both the entertainment industry and their own data security.
Reducing piracy requires a multi-layered approach. Strengthening legal enforcement, expanding content availability, and offering affordable streaming options are crucial to discouraging users from resorting to illegal alternatives. While piracy persists, understanding audiovisual piracy trends helps the industry refine its strategies to protect content and provide users with better legal alternatives, said BB Media.
