Illegal live TV streaming in Germany grows 33% since 2022, to €2.4B loss in 2025
Illegal live TV streaming in Germany has increased significantly, resulting in substantial economic losses. The government is losing approximately €542 million annually in taxes and social security contributions due to this issue. A recent study highlights the prevalence of illegal streaming among younger demographics and calls for more effective measures to combat this trend.
- ▪The illegal live TV streaming market in Germany is projected to cause a total economic loss of €2.4 billion by 2025.
- ▪Approximately 7.7 million people in Germany illegally accessed linear TV streams in 2025.
- ▪The government loses around €542 million annually due to illegal streaming, marking a nearly 40 percent increase since 2022.
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As a result, 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. 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. For nearly three-quarters of respondents, this is the most convenient way to watch linear TV. The study also shows that the willingness to use legal services increases when illegal alternatives aren’t available.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Vau.
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