By: MarkJ - 28 August, 2009 (11:18 AM) - Views: 1441 - Categories: Fixed Line Broadband, Illegal Downloads
Rights collector PRS for Music has released the results of a new study into illegal file sharing, which reveals that the UK TV industry is facing dramatic digital disruption and huge piracy problems. The study, which was presented at the Edinburgh Television Festival, claims that piracy has caused music sales to drop to 1994 levels and is spreading rampantly to TV and Film.
The results also include a list of the top ten illegal TV and Film downloads, which makes for an interesting read. It should be noted that similar stats can easily be gained by visiting some of the more popular P2P (BitTorrent) tracker sites.
.
We're also fairly sure that there aren't 54m+ UK broadband users to download 'Heroes' with in the first place; the actual broadband subscriber figure is closer to 18m.
Key findings reveal that:
• Popular UK show Top Gear is consistently one of the most illegally swapped shows, especially in the US.
• Charging for television programmes that had been free leads to a significant spike in illegal downloads.
• Millions of television viewers now access free, unauthorised versions of favourite shows and this is beginning to replace standard viewing hours.
• Top illegal TV swaps included Desperate Housewives, 24 and Prison Break whilst top films included Slumdog Millionaire and Twilight.
Will Page, Chief Economist PRS for Music said:
“The music industry was the first to fully feel the force of digital disruption. It is important for the film and television industries to understand and learn from the experience of the music business and to look not just at possible lost value, but the opportunities that digital distribution can bring.”
“The music industry was the first to fully feel the force of digital disruption. It is important for the film and television industries to understand and learn from the experience of the music business and to look not just at possible lost value, but the opportunities that digital distribution can bring.”
Eric Garland Chief Executive of Big Champagne commented:
“Millions of television viewers now access free, unauthorised versions of favourite shows at least some of the time. This is a socially acceptable form of casual piracy - and it is replacing viewing hours."
“Millions of television viewers now access free, unauthorised versions of favourite shows at least some of the time. This is a socially acceptable form of casual piracy - and it is replacing viewing hours."
The results also include a list of the top ten illegal TV and Film downloads, which makes for an interesting read. It should be noted that similar stats can easily be gained by visiting some of the more popular P2P (BitTorrent) tracker sites.
Most Popular Film TorrentsIt's not clearly stated in the press release but we suspect that the download numbers contain both UK and USA statistics. After all, no sensible British person would actually download that horrible movie 'Australia' (we still have nightmares about the lack of acting, plot and interesting dialogue + annoying kid) and so the 8.6m must surely be from the USA
Watchmen; 16,906,452
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button; 13,133,137
Yes Man; 13,038,364
Twilight; 11,632,645
Fast and Furious; 10,613,668
Gran Torino; 9,880,700
Marley and Me; 9,099,219
Slumdog Millionaire; 8,840,884
Bolt; 8,690,633
Australia; 8,628,012
Most Popular TV Torrents
Heroes; 54,562,012
Lost; 51,151,396
24; 34,119,093
Prison Break; 29,283,591
House; 26,277,954
Fringe; 21,434,755
Desperate Housewives; 21,378,412
Grey's Anatomy; 19,916,775
Gossip Girl; 19,706,870
Smallville; 19,598,999
. We're also fairly sure that there aren't 54m+ UK broadband users to download 'Heroes' with in the first place; the actual broadband subscriber figure is closer to 18m.
Share Links:
Slashdot,
Stumble,
Facebook,
Digg!,
Blink,
Del.icio.us,
Reddit,
Yahoo,
Mixx,
Propeller,
Diigo
Options:
Link | Search News
Comments: 5
AgrajagPosted: 28 August, 2009 - 2:38 PM
Link to comment
If the TV studios charged just £1 per download, they could be raking it in. Instead they choose to fight P2P instead of embracing it.
LSDPosted: 28 August, 2009 - 3:16 PM
Link to comment
how is downloading a tv show different to recording it off the tv
Margaret HPosted: 28 August, 2009 - 3:31 PM
Link to comment
I wonder how many of these naughty downloads would be necessary if the BBC didn't keep switching programme times at the last minute and not telling anybody?
timelessPosted: 29 August, 2009 - 12:56 AM
Link to comment
it all comes down to money, if they had their way we wouldnt even be able to record off TV.. then again if they didnt put crap on then more would actually watch TV until their favourite program came on rather than download it to watch at leisure.. equally being able to watch it when you want to rather than when they put it on or change the times is another bonus especially for those of us who dont have the time to watch it when its on... maybe the industry should take note of that.
J ClarksonPosted: 29 August, 2009 - 2:24 AM
Link to comment
In other news, over 50 million people are watching this garbage for free on their TV. Some are even taping the odd episode! What sad people.....
Generated in 0.41503 seconds.
DB queries: 8
Copyright © 1999 to Present - ISPreview.co.uk - All Rights Reserved (Terms, Privacy Policy, Links (.), Live Chat & Website Rules).