TV show piracy driven by lack of access to new programmes, says report

Almost half of British people believe that the lack of legitimate access to new television shows from other countries is fuelling online piracy, new research has revealed.

The survey, conducted by Red Bee Media as part of its Tomorrow Calling research programme, found that 46% of respondents feel that illegal downloading would be "greatly reduced" if it was possible to pay to watch overseas TV series without having to wait for a UK release date.

More than half (56%) of people surveyed said that television shows should be released at the same time all over the world, with 57% thinking the same for films.

British consumers are prepared to pay to watch content, with 63% saying they will spend the same on television in the future, but 20% intending to spend more.

The timing of hit new TV shows, particularly those from the US, is often cited as a driver for piracy, with consumers seeking illegal ways to watch programmes instead of waiting for them to become available legitimately.

A number of measures have been taken to tackle the problem, such as Sky1 showing the final ever episode of Lost in May 2010 at the same time as the US.

Red Bee Media's research showed that British TV and film viewers are frustrated by a lack of accessibility to content, with 71% wanting the freedom to choose what they watch and when they want to watch it.

Channel brands such as ITV and Channel 4 continue to play an important role for viewers, but 39% of UK consumers feel that technology and content providers could do a better job than existing TV channels.

Almost a third (31%) of consumers would be interested in taking up content packages on internet-connected TV platforms such as Sony and Samsung if they could choose to only receive the TV channels and content they want, and not pay for those they don't.

Also, 33% of pay-TV subscribers in the UK would be prepared to downgrade or cancel their subscriptions if they could find a cheaper way to watch movies, while 33% would do so to watch TV without advertising.

The survey further indicated that 45% of people want access to all back episodes of their favourite shows and 39% watch the catch-up TV 'window' extended from seven days to six months.

"Viewers are more engaged with TV and movies than ever before and it is clear that our industry will continue to experience an unprecedented level of change," said Bill Patrizio, the chief executive of Red Bee Media.

"The results show that viewers are increasingly savvy about what they watch and how and when they watch it and they are ever more cynical about current offers when their preference is for a more immediate, selective and flexible experience"

"This research provokes us to listen closely to what tomorrow's consumer has to say and ask ourselves whether or not their expectations are driving our industry's innovation agenda."