Streaming Platforms vs. Illegal Content: What Are Mexicans Choosing?

Mexico has the lowest online piracy rate in Latin America (30%), yet this remains a challenge for the industry. Although Mexicans allocate 27% of their income to leisure and entertainment—an 8% increase in the past two years—piracy remains an alternative for one-third of households.

Content viewership in the country leans toward streaming platforms, which capture 48% of the entertainment budget, while Pay TV receives only 10%. However, more than 1.9 million households access Pay TV illegally.

Regarding streaming platforms, households with internet access subscribe to an average of three services. Although 25% of these users share their accounts to reduce costs, this practice remains below the regional average. The average subscription price in Mexico is USD 9, and only Netflix and Disney+ have implemented measures against account sharing.

Piracy in Movies and Series: Two Different Dynamics

Analyzing the piracy rate in streaming platforms during the first quarter of 2025 reveals clear trends in illegal content consumption.For movies, the most popular titles on illegal platforms are recent U.S. releases, with a predominance of the science fiction genre. Notably, most pirated titles are available on legal platforms, indicating that piracy is not solely driven by a lack of content availability.

On the other hand, the most popular series on illegal platforms in Mexico are classic American TV shows: The Simpsons, The Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men, and Malcolm in the Middle. Their popularity, despite their age, highlights a strong demand for nostalgic content with high rewatch value. Meanwhile, The Walking Dead is the only science fiction series in the ranking.

Mexican Preferences and Their Relationship with Piracy

Going to the movies is the fourth most popular leisure activity among Mexicans, with millennials making up 50% of theatergoers. This highlights the importance of new releases in the entertainment experience. Additionally, the most consumed genres in Mexico are comedy (61%), science fiction (61%), action (59%), and adventure (52%), aligning with trends in pirated content.

Sports content also holds significant relevance in the country, with a preference rate 25% higher than the regional average. In this regard, the most widely used illegal platform is Futbol Gratis (51%), followed by Pelisplus (37%) and AnimeFLV (36%). The high demand for sports and anime content is reflected in the fact that 30% of Mexicans prefer anime content, while 29% favor live sports and soccer. Additionally, the average monthly subscription price for sports content is USD 10—27% higher than the cost of a basic streaming service subscription—which could explain the use of illegal platforms.

This analysis shows that piracy in Mexico is driven by various factors. For movies, interest in recent releases and visually impactful genres fuels illegal consumption, while for series, nostalgic titles with high rewatch value dominate. At the same time, the preference for sports and anime content, along with the higher costs of accessing these segments, reinforces the use of specialized illegal platforms.

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