The illegal use of TV streams in Germany continues to rise significantly. According to the media association VAUNET citing a recent study by the consultancy firm Goldmedia According to the report, illegal streaming caused economic damage totalling around 2.4 billion euros in 2025. Compared with the last survey, conducted in 2022, this represents an increase of 33 per cent.

According to the study, around 7.7 million people in Germany have recently been using illegal linear TV streams. Use is said to be particularly widespread among the 16 to 33 age group. Many users are said to prefer illegal services primarily because of their ease of access.

According to VAUNET, the direct economic loss to media companies amounts to around 1.5 billion euros. Added to this are losses at upstream and downstream stages of the value chain. The state is also said to be missing out on around 542 million euros in taxes and social security contributions.

VAUNET Managing Director Frank Giersberg described TV piracy as a „mass phenomenon“ with significant consequences for media providers and the funding of audiovisual content. The association is therefore calling for faster removal obligations for platforms, dynamic blocking measures against illegal live streams, and simplified legal action against operators of illegal services.

The study also suggests that some users would switch to legal services if illegal streaming options were more consistently blocked.