HOUSEHOLDS using dodgy streaming gadgets have been slapped with a “stern warning” after an illegal TV operation was busted.

Two men running the ‘Titan Streams’ illegal streaming ring were caught selling illegal Sky and TNT Sports subscriptions to thousands of people, according to Worcestershire county council.

Benjamin Yates and Lewis Finch pleaded guilty to illegally supplying Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) which allows access to paywalled services for free.

The pair have been sentenced to a 20 month suspended sentence for 18 months and 250 hours of unpaid work.

This outcome serves as a stern warning to those who sell subscriptions or devices that provide access to content without properly compensating the rightful owners.  

Kevin Sharp, CEO of FACT

A police investigation found that the ring had garnered nearly 4,000 subscribers, earning the duo over £320,000 in three years.

According to the county council, test purchases by FACT and BT led to the case being referred to Trading Standards and entry warrants being executed at both their addresses.

The Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT), which acts for the Premier League, Sky, and BT Sport, helped form Section 11 of the Fraud Act 2006 which criminalises the act of obtaining any of kind of service dishonestly.

Kieron Sharp, CEO of FACT, said: “The individuals behind this illicit streaming service made a considerable amount of money through their fraudulent activities and this outcome serves as a stern warning to those who sell subscriptions or devices that provide access to content without properly compensating the rightful owners.  

“We will continue to use all available powers to work with law enforcement and our broadcast partner, TNT Sports, to combat illegal streaming services and the broader criminal activities they support.”

Yates and Finch were convicted of offences under the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 and the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.  

‘Large-scale theft’

It’s not just Sky gadgets that can be jailbroken, but Amazon Fire Sticks can be illegally modified too.

It was only in January when British police issued fresh warning to Fire Stick owners over illegal streaming, after it was revealed around 19 per cent of people illegally streamed content over a three-month period.

In December 2023, two arrests were made over a Telegram channel selling the illegal Fire Sticks and access to premium Sky packages, earning those involved more than £800,000.

At the time, Matt Hibbert, Director of Anti-Piracy, UK and ROI, at Sky said the broadcasterwas grateful to the forces involved for arresting the duo.

“We’ll continue to support efforts to shut down the organised networks involved in the large-scale theft of our content, and to protect consumers from the risks involved in accessing content in this way,” Hibbert continued.