Audiovisual Piracy in LATAM and Spain

Audiovisual Piracy continues to impact the entertainment industry, affecting both content creators and cultural industries. As digital access grows, piracy methods evolve, posing new challenges. According to BB Media, audiovisual piracy trends in Latin America increased significantly in 2023, and during 2024 it maintained a penetration of over 40% among internet-connected households—equivalent to nearly 24 million homes. 

Audiovisual Piracy Trends 

Within the Spanish-speaking countries, piracy is not limited to Latin America. In Spain, it remains a significant issue, with 30% of households, or over 5 million homes, using illegal services to access content. The methods of access differ between regions. In Latin America, the most common approach is through illegal streaming websites, which offer a vast selection of movies, series, and live TV channels. In Spain, piracy is more reliant on apps and M3U playlists, which users download from various sources to stream content illegally. 

Why Do Users Resort to Audiovisual Piracy?

One of the main reasons people turn to piracy is the lack of availability of specific titles on the streaming services they pay for. On average, Spanish households subscribe to 2.36 platforms, while in Latin America, the number is 2.26. Even with multiple subscriptions, users often struggle to find the content they want. 

Another key factor is limited access to new movies and series releases. Many users resort to piracy because they cannot find new premiere seasons or recent films on legal platforms shortly after their theatrical debut. 

Sports content is another major driver of piracy. Football is the most illegally streamed sport, with 82% of pirated sports content being football matches, followed by combat sports (23%) and motorsports (22%). The most frequently pirated events include major leagues and first-division tournaments, both at the international and national levels.  

Most Pirated Content in 2024

Analyzing the most offered pirated content in the Spanish-speaking market, recent movie releases dominate illegal platforms.  

• The Wild Robot (2024) ranks first in both Latam and Spain, despite its availability on 8 platforms in LATAM and 3 streaming services in Spain. It appears on 75 illegal sites.  

• The Substance (2024) follows, accessible on Prime Video, Apple TV, and MUBI in LATAM and Filmin in Spain, yet pirated across 68 platforms.  

For series, the trend is similar:  

• The Penguin (2024) (Max original) is the most pirated series in Latam.  

• Highway (2024) leads in Spain.  

• Other popular pirated shows include High Potential (Disney+) and Landman (Paramount+ & Claro Video).  

 Combatting Audiovisual Piracy – A Global Effort

Governments, tech companies and copyright organizations continue to take action against piracy. Measures such as blocking illegal websites, removing unauthorized content and launching awareness campaigns aim to reduce its impact. However, many users remain unaware of how piracy affects both the entertainment industry and their own data security. 

Reducing piracy requires a multi-layered approach. Strengthening legal enforcement, expanding content availability, and offering affordable streaming options are crucial to discouraging users from resorting to illegal alternatives. While piracy persists, understanding audiovisual piracy trends helps the industry refine its strategies to protect content and provide users with better legal alternatives. 

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