The English Premier League (EPL) has rolled out an anti-piracy campaign in Thailand as the new football season takes off with the kick of a ball! For the second year in a row, the EPL, in collaboration with the British Embassy in Thailand, is driving the Boot Out Piracy campaign, aiming to safeguard intellectual property and encourage legal viewing of Premier League games.
This initiative stretches its arms over Thailand and Indonesia, two hotspots in Southeast Asia. Its primary focus? To protect the exclusivity of Premier League live broadcasts and boost the preference for legal channels among fans.
A recent gathering in Bangkok brought together key stakeholders, including law enforcement and authorities, to discuss the ongoing piracy issue. The reception was a charged event aimed at raising awareness about the detrimental impact of piracy on the sports industry. The message was clear: let’s protect the exclusive broadcasting rights held by Thailand’s cable TV provider, True Visions, and support the future of football.
Currently, it’s estimated that 38.7 million Thais tune into Premier League matches via legitimate channels, making Thailand one of the league’s most dedicated fan bases. However, lurking in the shadows is the persistent problem of illegal streaming. Many fans stray over to these platforms, often unaware of the potential hazards.
Catherine West, British Minister for the Indo-Pacific, took the stage at the reception to underscore the importance of tackling illegal streaming in Thailand. “With some of the world’s most fervent football fans, it doesn’t take much more than a jaunt through Bangkok to find yourself in a lively debate about who will snag this year’s Premier League title,” she quipped. Yet, she expressed her concerns about the rampant illegal streaming, highlighting the risks it poses for fans.
West pointed out that illegal streaming sites often expose users to threats such as malware, scams, viruses, and illegal gambling. “A recent study showed that a staggering 90% of ads on pirate websites contain high-risk content,” she cautioned. The Premier League, bolstered by its cooperation with Thai authorities, is stepping up efforts to combat piracy. However, she acknowledged that while some headway has been made, there’s still a way to go. “Pirates don’t stand still. It’s imperative that the discussions we have here extend into the coming days and months,” she urged.
The appeal to Thai football fans was heartfelt: support the EPL by subscribing to official services. “We want fans in Thailand to experience the Premier League in the highest quality and most secure way, and that is through a subscription to official services,” West emphasized.
Sharing the stage was Sean Godfrey, head of legal at the Premier League, who highlighted the broader benefits of watching football through legal channels. “The revenue generated from legal viewing can be reinvested into grassroots football,” he explained, “helping to fund community projects and nurture the next generation of football talent.” Legal viewing can ensure that money flows back into youth programs, fostering the stars of tomorrow and bolstering the sport’s future.
Godfrey’s enthusiasm was infectious as he elaborated, “We all want our favorite teams and sports stars to succeed. Supporting them means watching games the right way. Let’s make a pledge to always watch matches through legal means, ensuring that more funding goes back into grassroots football and to the heroes who make our weekends magical.” The call to action was clear: let’s boot out piracy and support football the legit way!
All this fuss over piracy, but has anyone considered making the broadcasts more affordable? Some fans simply can’t afford the high subscription fees!
Exactly, John! Not everyone can shell out money for expensive subscriptions. Make it affordable, and piracy will naturally decrease.
I bet the EPL makes more than enough. They should cut us a break!
I agree. If they really care about fans, they should find a middle ground.
But reducing the price could mean less revenue for the teams. Fans need to think about that too, you know.
Piracy is theft, plain and simple. If you can’t afford to pay for the service, then you shouldn’t watch.
Harsh but true. Every illegal stream is stealing from the league and the players.
But Linda, what about fans in countries where economic conditions make legal subscriptions a luxury?
I understand, but the law is the law. Maybe the EPL should focus on affordable packages for different regions.
Folks, let’s not forget the dangers of illegal streaming. Imagine getting your device infected just to save a few bucks.
Totally! I’ve heard of people losing their bank details because of malware from these pirate sites.
Prevention is better than cure. Legal channels are safer, even if they cost more.
Exactly, Betty. Better to be safe than sorry!
This campaign seems more about protecting revenues than fans. Bewary of underlining motives.
Yusuf, they need revenue to keep the league running and support grassroots football. It’s not just about making money.
Anna, but then they should be transparent about the funds. How much really goes back into grassroots initiatives?
Good point. Transparency would go a long way in building trust.
Football is a universal sport; making it inaccessible due to high costs is counterproductive.
I agree, Carlos. Sports should unite people, not do so divide them based on financial capability.
Absolutely. Affordability is key. The joy of football shouldn’t be limited to the wealthy.
Yet again, consider the funding needed for training, stadiums, and player salaries.
Let’s not kid ourselves; as long as there’s demand, there will be supply. Illegal streaming isn’t going away anytime soon.
True! It’s a cat-and-mouse game. The solution is a more balanced pricing model.
I think better technology to block these sites would help too.
Interesting that they’re pairing with embassies now. Feels a bit political, don’t you think?
Everything’s political nowadays. Still, if it helps combat piracy, why not?
Politics aside, collaboration may be the only way to tackle such a widespread issue.
Would love to hear Catherine West discuss the other ‘damages’ piracy causes. Always seems a bit over the top.
No one’s talking about the broader impact here. Piracy also means fewer opportunities for young, aspiring footballers.
Great point! Grassroots football depends on that revenue. It’s an ecosystem.
Exactly, Jane. Imagine the next Messi not getting his shot because clubs lack funds.
It’s not an easy fix, but I’d like to see more community engagement and awareness campaigns like this.
Agreed, Oscar. Educating fans on the real impact of their choices is crucial.
The disconnect between affluent countries and developing ones regarding sports affordability is glaring, and campaigns like this often overlook it.
So many clueless comments here. Piracy hurts EVERYONE involved in football. Simple as that.
No one is saying it doesn’t hurt; we’re talking about realistic solutions to the issue, not just shouting about what we already know.
Well, let’s hope this campaign actually makes a difference this time.
If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s the love for football. Let’s keep the game fair, for everyone.
We can make a difference if we choose to! Support your teams by playing by the rules.
Yet another pointless campaign. Will this really change anything?