More than one in four consumers (28%) use a TV box which can be used to stream pirated television and video content, according to a recent study by YouGov about the content viewing behavior of Filipino consumers.
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.
In addition to the short-term problem of cancelled subscriptions is a longer term problem – namely, many of the people using ISDs are young. The survey found that ISDs are particularly favored among 18-24 year-olds, with more than half (57%) cancelling legitimate subscription services as a result of owning ISDs, especially international subscriptions (32%).
Ernest Cu, President, Globe Telecom
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.
