New study shows illicit streaming in Singapore at epidemic proportions

SINGAPORE - Despite major growth in the number and range of legal online content choices available to them, recent studies have found Singaporeans to be among the top consumers of pirated online content around the world, according to a new consumer research study released today by research company, Sycamore.

It found several striking trends in online piracy behaviour within Singapore:

Almost half the population admit to having engaged in online piracy, with 39% stating they currently illegally stream or download movies, TV shows or live sports channels.
Illicit Streaming Devices (TV boxes) are changing the face of piracy in Singapore, with 14% of Singaporeans admitting to currently using an illicit streaming device.
74% of active pirates recognise that accessing pirated content puts them at greater risk of getting viruses, spyware and other malware. In fact, the risk of malware was the primary reason (40%) cited by those who said they had stopped pirating for their change in behaviour, followed by recognition that there were now more legal options available (37%).
68% of Singaporeans recognise that pirating movies, TV shows or sporting events is stealing or theft, with almost a third agreeing that blocking of sites which profit from pirated content would be the most effective means of reducing online piracy.

John Medeiros, Chief Policy Officer of CASBAA (the Association for digital multichannel TV, content, platforms, advertising and video delivery across geographic markets in Asia-Pacific, described the implications of the results as significant.

 “Admitted usage of TV boxes which provide illegal access to TV series, movies and live sports events is much greater in Singapore than in other developed markets, such as the US and the UK,” he said.

“While these numbers are already concerning, they rely on the candour of respondents and undoubtedly underestimate the true scale of the problem.”

And he said the findings point to a worrying trend in the Singaporean market. Despite the fact that two-thirds of Singaporeans agree that piracy is stealing, the study revealed that nearly three quarters of the population consider piracy to be a normal or typical behaviour.

“The notion that piracy is something that everybody does nowadays turns it into a socially acceptable behaviour”, said Sycamore Research Director, Anna Meadows.

“Numerous studies have shown that what we perceive others to be doing has a far stronger influence on our behaviour than what we know we ‘ought’ to do.

“People know that they shouldn’t really pirate, but they continue to do so because they believe those around them do as well. Interestingly, even among active pirates, almost a third agree that authorities should be able to take more action to deter piracy.”  www.casbaa.com (ATI).