Sky has issued a new warning to UK homes (Image: SKY)
Streaming content illegally might be cheaper than signing up for expensive premium TV, but watching online comes with “significant consequences.” That’s the latest warning from , who recently targeted a provider of online content in a bid to shut down the unofficial streams he was providing to UK homes.
In fact, it’s thought that during a single world championship boxing match broadcast by Sky in February 2018, McNally claimed to have over 2,000 subscribers to his illegal service.
That clearly caught the attention of Sky’s legal team and, with the help of the West Midlands Police, Gary McNally from Acocks Green Birmingham, was found to be providing thousands of consumers with Sky Entertainment, Sky Sports and Sky Movie channels at vastly reduced prices. During the search of McNally’s property, a large amount of digital equipment, including laptops, hard drives and NOW TV devices, were discovered and seized – meaning those who had signed up for his services were left blocked from watching content.
He pleaded guilty at Birmingham Crown Court and has now been sentenced to two years and nine months in jail for offences related to creating and operating an illegal streaming service.
“Today’s sentencing highlights the significant consequences that can arise for those that get involved in illegally streaming content,” said Matt Hibbert, Group Director of Anti-Piracy at Sky.
“We are grateful to the West Midlands Police for acting so robustly to take down a highly sophisticated illegal streaming operation.
“We will continue to work with law enforcement to protect our content and help keep consumers safe from criminal piracy networks.”
And a spokesperson for West Midlands Police added: “We will work with partners wherever possible to disrupt criminal activity, and we hope this case sends a warning message to anyone involved in this kind of criminal enterprise.”
This latest raid comes after more crackdowns across the whole UK have taken swathes of online streams offline.
One seller from Halifax, for selling dodgy devices over an 18-month period.
Although it’s unlikely that arrests or raids will ever be made on those using modified devices to watch Sky streams, there are still plenty of dangers when using them. These gadgets can come laced with malware and there aren’t any parental blocks which means younger members of the family can be exposed to inappropriate content.
Premium services such as Sky and Disney+ aren’t cheap but they won’t ever put the user in any danger.