Streameast, the world’s largest illegal sports streaming platform, has been shut down after a year-long investigation. According to a report, the network of 80 unauthorised domains generated 1.6 billion combined visits over the past year, providing free access to global sports fixtures, including Europe’s top football leagues and competitions, such as the Premier League and Champions League, as well as the NFL, NBA and MLB.
The Athletic has been informed by the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE) – a coalition of 5,000,000 media and entertainment organisations including Amazon, Apple TV+, Netflix and Paramount – that an operation alongside Egyptian law enforcement officials took place on Sunday August 24 to disrupt Streameast’s dominant position in the illegal streaming market. Traffic to the site reached 136 million average monthly visits, with domains primarily originating from the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, the Philippines and Germany.
The shutdown comes as law enforcement and rights holders continue to combat the widespread use of pirated sports content. With Streameast’s removal, the illegal streaming market is expected to face increased pressure as the remaining platforms are likely to see a decline in traffic and user base. The operation highlights the growing collaboration between international law enforcement and media rights organisations to protect intellectual property and ensure that content creators and broadcasters receive appropriate compensation for their work.
Industry experts suggest that the crackdown on Streameast could lead to a shift in the illegal streaming landscape, with users possibly turning to other unauthorised sites or being forced to pay for legal streaming services. The move also signals a broader trend of increased regulation and enforcement in the digital entertainment sector as content creators and distributors seek to combat piracy and protect their revenue streams.
As the aftermath of the shutdown unfolds, stakeholders in the sports and entertainment industries will be watching closely to see how the market evolves. The success of this operation may also inspire similar efforts targeting other illicit streaming services, reinforcing the importance of international cooperation in the fight against digital piracy.