A new crackdown on illegal Sky Sports streams comes into force this weekend.
If you are one of many homes hoping to tune into the Premier League action for free this weekend you could be in for a shock. With the big London derby between Spurs and Arsenal taking place on Sunday at 2pm, it’s likely that plenty of football fans will be attempting to tune in.
And with the cost of living crisis still hurting wallets some are sure to try and find online live streams that don’t cost a penny to watch. It’s those free links that are being targeted in a new crackdown by UK authorities and it could leave some facing a video feed of a stream.
The team at BeStreamWise – a cross-body initiative that is supported by organisations across the film, TV, and sports industries – say they hoping to redirect consumers searching for illegal streams of the game in a bid to highlight the dangers.
Those who click on the links from platforms such as X (formerly Twitter and Reddit) will find that instead of watching one of the most exciting clashes in this year’s football calendar, they will instead see a movie of water streaming down the screen.
Speaking about the latest crackdown, Kieron Sharp, CEO of FACT, said: “Illegal streaming not only undermines the hard work of content creators and rights holders but also exposes viewers to significant risks such as identity theft, fraud, and malware.
“By choosing legal streaming options, fans can show their true support for their team. Through this innovative campaign, BeStreamWise aims to protect fans and educate them on the dangers of digital piracy. We want to ensure that everyone can enjoy the excitement of the Spurs vs Arsenal match safely and legally.”
And Matt Hibbert, Group Director of Anti-Piracy at Sky, added “Illegal streaming poses a serious threat and can expose consumers to identity theft, fraud, and malicious software. This campaign protects fans by redirecting them away from malicious streaming sites, highlighting the dangers of clicking unknown links and educating consumers on the risks involved in digital piracy.
“Through our collaboration with BeStreamWise, we want to ensure that football fans continue to enjoy the sport they love without compromising their personal security.”
