The ongoing battle against illegal streaming has taken center stage, with Sky Sports urging Amazon to take stronger action against the misuse of Fire Sticks.
The broadcaster is calling out the tech giant for not doing enough to curb piracy, which they claim is costing the sports industry hundreds of millions of dollars.
Sky argues that modified Fire Sticks—commonly referred to as “jail-broken” devices—are a key tool in unauthorized streaming of Premier League matches in the UK.
Sky’s Call for Stricter Controls
Speaking at the Financial Times Business of Football conference, Sky’s Chief Operating Officer, Nick Herm, expressed frustration over the issue.
He pointed out that many football fans openly use jail-broken Fire Sticks to access pirated content, and some even wear shirts promoting the devices.
Herm stressed that these modified devices are being purchased in bulk, making it easier for people to bypass legal streaming services.
Sky believes Amazon should take greater responsibility in preventing such activities.
Amazon’s Response to Piracy Claims
In response to Sky’s criticism, Amazon defended its stance, stating that it actively promotes legal streaming and warns users about the risks of installing unauthorized apps.
The company emphasized its commitment to protecting intellectual property rights and maintaining a responsible streaming environment.
Fire TV devices, according to Amazon, include built-in warnings to discourage users from sideloading illegal streaming applications.
Crackdowns on Illegal Streaming Continue
Authorities have ramped up their fight against piracy, with multiple investigations targeting illegal streaming networks.
FACT (Federation Against Copyright Theft) has reported a growing number of cases involving unauthorized Fire Sticks.
In January, a Birmingham man was sentenced to nearly three years in prison for selling pirated content, including Sky Sports and Sky Movies.
Additionally, a major illegal streaming operation that reportedly served over 22 million users worldwide was dismantled last year following extensive raids across Europe.
What’s Next?
As the debate over illegal streaming intensifies, pressure is mounting on Amazon to introduce stricter measures to prevent Fire Sticks from being misused.
With broadcasters like Sky pushing for greater enforcement and authorities cracking down on piracy networks, the landscape of digital streaming could see significant changes in the near future.
The question remains: Will Amazon implement tougher restrictions, or will illegal streaming continue to be a major issue in the sports broadcasting industry?