In Singapore everything is expensive not only if you’re Malaysian as the sentiment applies to locals as well, so when there is opportunity to get cheap services or products, Singaporeans will not hesitate to jump in. In the case of streaming contents and paying hefty subscription fees, if there is an alternative by using TV boxes which are sold overtly on major retail shops and online, the decision is quite clear.
A new study of the content viewing behaviour of Singaporean consumers revealed that 15% of consumers use a TV box which can be used to stream pirated television and video content. These TV boxes, which are also known as Illicit Streaming Devices (ISDs), allow users to access hundreds of pirated television channels and video-on-demand (VOD) content, usually with a low annual subscription fee.
The survey found that MyIPTV, UBTV, WorldTV, MoonHD, and Infinity TV, are some of the most popular illegal applications amongst Singapore consumers. Commissioned by the Asia Video Industry Association’s (AVIA) Coalition Against Piracy (CAP) and conducted by YouGov, there were also highlights on the detrimental effects of streaming piracy on legitimate subscription video services. Of the 15% of consumers who purchased a TV box for free streaming, more than one-quarter (28%) asserted that they cancelled their subscriptions to a Singaporean-based online video service as a direct consequence of owning an ISD. International subscription services, which include pan-Asia online offerings, were also impacted – nearly one in five (18%) Singaporean users have abandoned those services in favour of ISD purchases.
Of those consumers who own an ISD, more than half of respondents (62%) claim to have purchased their illicit streaming device from two of the largest Southeast Asia-based e-commerce stores. More than one-fifth of ISD owners (21%) say they acquired their devices via one of the world’s most popular social media platforms. Over one-third (38%) of ISD owners said they purchased their pirate TV box from IT Exhibitions or physical retail stores in Singapore.
Recently Singapore High Court issues an injunction ordering internet service providers to block access to popular illegal applications that are frequently pre-loaded on ISDs sold in the country. With this those who purchased the ISD units will not be able to access live sports matches or their favourite TV shows.
Singapore currently has over a dozen online legal services providing an array of live sports, TV channels and video-on-demand content at varying flexible price-points.
