Lenka Hrivnáková, Author at The Association of Commercial Television

STUDY: 174 BILLION ILLEGAL STREAMS DURING FIFA WORLD CUP 2026

There were 6.2 billion illegal streams of 90 seconds or more globally for the Spain vs Argentina Final match according to GCI.

While the FIFA World Cup 2026 broke viewing records in the U.S. on linear TV and on streaming platforms, new data from Gaming Compliance International (GCI) suggests that an enormous amount of illegal streaming also occurred around the world. Its first complete global measurement of illegal streaming across the 2026 FIFA World Cup, estimates that there were 174.3 billion qualifying illegal stream views of 90 seconds plus globally across the tournament.

The analysis also found that:

174.3 billion qualifying illegal stream views of 90 seconds or more globally across the tournament
1.68 billion average qualifying illegal stream views of 90 seconds plus per match, globally
6.2 billion qualifying illegal stream views of 90 seconds plus globally for the Spain vs Argentina Final
95% of qualifying illegal stream views of 90 seconds plus globally carried advertising for unregulated gambling

The estimate is derived from GCI’s global monitoring and marketplace intelligence, using multiple proprietary and third-party licensed data sources.

A qualifying illegal stream view requires at least 90 seconds of streaming, denoting a “committed view”. This is a stream-view measure, not a unique viewer count. The methodology accounts for stream interruptions, forced refreshes, reloads, mirror switches and channel resets throughout each match.

GCI’s analysis also highlighted a dark nexus between illegal streaming and unregulated online gambling with heavy ad loads for unregulated gambling in the illegal streams.

GCI monitoring shows that illegal streamers can receive payment for advertising and referring audiences to unregulated gambling, with affiliate deals offering between 25% and 50% of net gaming revenue produced by unregulated gambling operators from referred customers.

The result is a powerful illegal economy: premium sports content attracts mainstream audiences; illegal streaming monetizes that attention; and unregulated gambling pays to acquire those audiences.

This relationship was previously identified by GCI in Great Britain. Analysis released in January 2026 found 3.1 billion illegal stream views of 90 seconds plus across the Top 10 sports in Great Britain during 2024 and another 1.6 billion during the first half of 2025, with unregulated gambling advertising present upon 89% of illegal sports streams.

The GCI study found that the World Cup demonstrated the same relationship at global scale.

Overall, GCI estimated the 2026 FIFA World Cup would generate $593 billion in global online betting handle — the value of money wagered on World Cup betting online. Of that total, $409 billion — 69% — was unregulated, compared with $184 billion — 31% — regulated.

While regulated operators saw record activity, the majority of wagering value flowed through offshore, unregulated and unlicensed channels, the study found.

Illegal streaming connects these two parts of the marketplace by delivering sports audiences to unregulated gambling operators while those consumers are watching live events and each game presents fresh betting prospects.

The commercial relationship with unregulated gambling is not the only risk associated with illegal streaming.

GCI’s analysis found that video players, pop-ups and fake “click to watch in HD/4K” buttons can hide malware, spyware and keystroke loggers, exposing audiences to data harvesting and other forms of cybercrime.

“174 billion qualifying illegal stream views should remove any remaining illusion that illegal streaming is a marginal problem for sport, said Matt Holt, CEO of Gaming Compliance International (GCI). “Consumers experience one marketplace, and illegal streaming is an industrial-scale part of it — competing for the same audiences and extracting value that should support rights holders, broadcasters and the wider sports ecosystem.”

“When 95% of qualifying illegal stream views carry advertising for unregulated gambling, illegal streaming is not simply stealing content,” he added. “It is providing one of the world’s largest sporting audiences as an acquisition channel for the unregulated gambling economy.”

The full GCI Illegal Streaming – Global: World Cup 2026 report is available from Gaming Compliance International (GCI).

Source: tvtechnology.com

‘THE ODYSSEY’ STREAMING SCAM COULD STEAL YOUR BANK INFO

Fake streaming sites are using Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster to steal payment details, passwords and personal information.

Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” is one of the biggest movie releases of the summer. You have been hearing about it for months, but maybe you have not made it to the theater yet. Then an ad pops up promising you can watch “The Odyssey” online for free. The site looks polished. Reviews make it appear legitimate. Better yet, you can supposedly start watching within minutes.

There is one catch. You need to create an account. Then the supposedly free service asks for your credit card information to activate a trial. Enter those details, and you could soon discover there was never a movie waiting for you. The real purpose of the site was to get your financial information.

Security researchers say scammers are taking advantage of the enormous interest surrounding “The Odyssey,” which Universal Pictures released in U.S. theaters in July. Here’s how these fake streaming traps work and what you can do to avoid getting caught in one.

How ‘The Odyssey’ streaming scam works

Cybercriminals have created fake websites that claim to let you stream “The Odyssey” online for free. Some sites appear through online ads or search results. Others can be reached through questionable streaming and piracy sites. The pages can look surprisingly convincing. According to reports citing Kaspersky researchers, scammers have created versions in different languages. Some even advertise dubbed versions based on the visitor’s location. Fake reviews and ratings help make the service look trustworthy.

When you try to play the movie, the website asks you to register. You may first be asked for your name and email address. Eventually, the site requests your bank card information. It claims the information is needed to activate a free trial. There is no free movie. Instead, you have handed sensitive information to people who may use it for fraudulent transactions or other scams.

The U.S. government has warned about free streaming malware

The Federal Trade Commission has specifically warned that websites offering free movies and TV shows can infect computers with malware. The agency says criminals use malware to steal personal information and commit fraud. That can include login information for online accounts. The FTC also warns that malware can steal usernames and passwords as well as bank account numbers.

That makes a fake movie site more than an annoyance. Clicking the wrong download or following a bogus instruction could put information stored on your device at risk. We’ve seen this playbook before when we previously reported on how hackers use free streaming movies to lure people toward malware. We also covered how illegal movie downloads can hide dangerous malware. Scammers keep recycling the same strategy whenever a major release creates enough interest.

Malware scams appeared right after ‘The Odyssey’ hit theaters

There is another reason to be careful when searching for copies of “The Odyssey” online. Cybersecurity company Malwarebytes found scams targeting people searching for pirated copies within hours of the movie’s release. Researchers found cloned piracy sites displaying fake browser warnings. Other scams offered movie downloads that were actually Windows executable files disguised as video files. One fake warning claimed the browser was missing a component and encouraged visitors to click a button to fix it.

There was no missing browser component. According to Malwarebytes, clicking the button could push visitors into a malvertising network. Where they ended up could vary depending on the advertising campaign running at that moment. Researchers also found a supposed Odyssey movie download ending in .exe. That is a huge warning sign. An .exe file is a Windows program, not a video. If a website says you need to install software or fix your browser before watching a movie, leave the site.

Why fake movie scams can be so convincing

Criminals understand timing. When a movie becomes a cultural event, millions of people start searching for it. Some want to know when it will arrive on streaming. Others hope they can find a free copy. That creates an opening for scammers.

A fake website does not have to convince everyone. It only needs to catch the person who is excited enough to click before checking where the movie is actually available. Fake reviews make that easier. So does a professional-looking video player. We saw a similar tactic during the Barbie craze. CyberGuy reported on scammers using the movie’s popularity to steal bank information from moviegoers. The next bait could be whichever movie or show everybody is talking about next.

How to spot a fake streaming site

A slick website does not prove you are dealing with a legitimate streaming service. Start with availability. If a movie has only recently arrived in theaters, be suspicious when an unfamiliar website suddenly claims you can stream it for free. Universal Pictures currently lists “The Odyssey” as a theatrical release. Next, look closely at the website address. A scammer may use a domain that resembles a familiar streaming service. A small spelling change or an unusual domain ending can be easy to miss when you are moving quickly.

Do not rely on reviews posted on the streaming site itself either. Reports about “The Odyssey” scam say fake ratings and reviews were used to make fraudulent pages appear legitimate. You should also be wary when a website promises something for free but suddenly needs your credit card. Legitimate companies can require payment information for free trials. The difference is that you should already know and trust the service before handing over your card.

We reached out to Universal Pictures for comment about the fraudulent sites targeting “The Odyssey” but did not hear back before our deadline.

Tips to stay safe from fake streaming scams

A few extra seconds of checking can save you from a much bigger headache later.

1) Use strong antivirus protection

Strong antivirus software can help detect malicious downloads and warn you about dangerous websites. That protection becomes particularly valuable when a scam starts with an innocent-looking search or advertisement. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.

2) Stick with official streaming services

Use established streaming platforms or check the movie studio’s official website to see where a film is available. If you have never heard of the streaming service, investigate it before creating an account.

3) Stop when a free offer suddenly asks for your card

Do not enter payment information simply because the page says it needs to verify your account. Open a new browser tab and research the service independently.

4) Check the full website address

Look carefully at the domain before entering personal information. Do not assume the first search result or a sponsored result is automatically legitimate.

5) Never install a mystery movie player

A streaming site should not require you to install an unfamiliar program to watch a movie. Be especially careful with .exe files. Malwarebytes found one being disguised as a supposed Odyssey movie download.

6) Use unique passwords and turn on MFA

If you create an account on a fraudulent website and reuse a password from another service, scammers may try those credentials elsewhere. Use a password manager to create and store a unique password for every important account. Then turn on multi-factor authentication wherever it is available.

What to do if you already entered your information

Act quickly if you entered financial information into one of these sites.
Contact the bank or card issuer using the number printed on your card or information from its official website. Tell them you may have given your card details to a fraudulent website.
If you paid a scammer with a debit or credit card, contact the issuing company or bank, report the fraudulent charge and ask whether the transaction can be reversed.
Next, change any password you created on the fake streaming site.
If you reused that password on another account, change it there as well.
The FTC also recommends going to IdentityTheft.gov if a scammer obtained sensitive personal or financial information. The site provides recovery steps based on the information that was exposed.
If you downloaded something suspicious, update your security software and run a scan using strong antivirus software. We recommend scanning your device if you believe a malicious link or attachment installed harmful software. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.
Finally, keep checking your bank and credit card accounts for transactions you do not recognize.

Kurt’s key takeaways

I think movie scams work so well because they arrive at exactly the moment we are looking for something. You already want to see the film. Then somebody puts a shortcut in front of you. That is where a little skepticism pays off. “The Odyssey” may be the bait this summer, but criminals can use the same idea around the next blockbuster. A few minutes of entertainment are never worth giving a stranger access to your credit card or computer. I would much rather wait for a movie to reach an official streaming service than spend the next few weeks disputing charges or changing compromised passwords. When “free” entertainment asks for your financial information, the price can become very real.

Would a professional-looking streaming site with convincing reviews ever persuade you to enter your credit card for a movie you have been dying to see, or are you now too suspicious to take that chance? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

Source: foxnews.com

NOVA PREPARES NEW MONETISATION MODEL FOR ONEPLAY AND AIMS TO RETAIN KEY SPORTS RIGHTS

Nova is getting closer to launching a new ad-supported subscription tier for its Oneplay video platform. The move will also introduce a new approach to advertising sales across linear and digital viewing. Nova plans to reveal the details this autumn. At the same time, Nova CEO Daniel Grunt expects the cost of sports broadcasting rights to continue rising.

Nova Group is preparing to introduce an advertising-supported model for its Oneplay video platform. As part of this initiative, it is also developing Max Reach, a project designed to connect advertising sales across linear television and digital viewing.

Another upcoming change will be restrictions on ad-skipping in catch-up viewing. Nova will, however, disclose the full details when it presents its commercial policy for 2027 this autumn.

At the same time, the broadcaster expects competition for sports rights to intensify. According to Nova Group CEO Daniel Grunt, the launch of rival channel Prima sport is likely to increase competitive pressure.

Speaking to MediaGuru.cz following Nova Group’s autumn programming press conference, Grunt also indicated that the company would not rule out collaborating with other broadcasters when acquiring sports broadcasting rights.

Nova announced in June that it was preparing to launch an ad-supported tier for Oneplay. According to our information, you are also developing the Max Reach project, which is expected to connect digital and linear advertising in some form. Can you tell us more about it?

It is still too early to go into detail. We will present the full concept together with our new commercial policy for next year, which we will announce during the autumn.

Will that also include details on ad measurement and options for buying advertising across both linear TV and Oneplay?

Yes. All commercial aspects will be presented as part of the new commercial policy.

We will also provide details of the consumer proposition, including the pricing of ad-supported subscription tiers, how many tier options will be available, the amount of advertising inventory, and other related parameters.

All of this will be announced well ahead of the launch.

Will you also announce restrictions on ad-skipping in catch-up viewing at the same time?

It is already public knowledge that operators have received the relevant information.

From mid-November, viewers should no longer be able to fast-forward through advertising. This is the first step towards enabling us to subsequently monetise this inventory through advertising sales.

The notification to operators has already been issued, and we can confirm that. We will, however, provide the detailed information together with our commercial policy.

Your competitor Prima is now launching a new sports channel, Prima sport. Nova already has an established portfolio of Nova Sport channels and, following the merger with O2 TV, also Oneplay Sport. Acquiring rights to premium competitions has required significant investment. How difficult will it be to retain those rights? Does Prima have the potential to win some of them away from Nova?

We will have to see.

Prima is at the beginning of its journey and needs to build its sports channel around strong properties and brands. I therefore expect it will actively compete for attractive rights packages.

Which will push the price of rights higher.

More broadly, this confirms a trend we are seeing worldwide.

Sports rights are becoming more expensive, particularly due to pressure from streaming platforms. International services often acquire global rights to individual competitions, typically including US leagues such as the NHL and others.

This leads to a certain degree of market fragmentation, because fans increasingly need to use several different services to follow the competitions they are interested in.

The NFL is a typical example, where viewers often need subscriptions to multiple streaming or cable services in order to access all games.

That is a development we are somewhat concerned about in the Czech market.

We can expect competition to intensify, and this may also be reflected in rights pricing. Our objective is to continue offering Oneplay users the most attractive sports broadcasts, tournaments and events in one place.

That does not necessarily mean that all rights need to be carried under the Oneplay Sport or Nova Sport brands.

We already distribute a number of other sports channels today, including Eurosport, Sport1 and Sport2, and that model will continue.

My goal is to retain the key brands and local rights, because these are particularly important to the value proposition and brand perception of Oneplay.

If an opportunity emerged, would you be interested in acquiring any rights currently held by Česká televize (Czech Television)?

It is difficult to say whether such an opportunity will arise.

For example, Česká televize secured the rights to the Ice Hockey World Championship for the next rights cycle without us having an opportunity to participate in the relevant tender.

Generally speaking, however, we monitor what becomes available in the market, and any sport or major sporting event with strong audience appeal is of interest to us.

We will always seek to acquire such rights where the commercial terms make economic sense for us.

Could you also imagine jointly acquiring rights with Prima? For example, could Prima obtain some UEFA Champions League matches from Nova?

The situation regarding UEFA Champions League rights for the next three-year cycle, beginning next year, has not yet been finalised, so it will depend on how the process develops.

It is not our strategy or intention, but I can imagine circumstances in which it could make sense to cooperate with another broadcaster on certain competitions — whether that is Česká televize or another partner.

Source: MediaGuru.cz

‘I DON’T WANT TO WAIT THREE EPISODES BEFORE SOMETHING GRIPPS ME,’ SAYS ONEPLAY’S HEAD OF DEVELOPMENT

These days, it only takes viewers a few minutes to decide whether to give a series a go. Michal Reitler, Head of Development at TV Nova and Oneplay, talks in an interview about how the TV audience has changed, why people say they mainly want comedies but actually watch a lot of crime dramas, and the new programmes Nova has in the pipeline. He also revealed why some series need to hook the viewer right from the start and what determines whether they are renewed.

You can find the full interview at forbes.cz

Source: forbes.cz

PRIMA IS PLANNING CHANGES TO ITS TERRESTRIAL TV SERVICE; A SHUFFLE IS ON THE WAY

The Prima Group is set to expand its collaboration with Digital Broadcasting and plans to move most of its channels to its DVB-T2 multiplex 24 next year. In an interview, the director of the Prima Group explains the reasons behind the change in distribution strategy and also clarifies why the new Prima Sport channel will only be available in SD resolution via terrestrial broadcasting.

The Prima media group’s long-standing contract with České Radiokomunikace is due to expire next year. It intends to continue working with the operator, but plans to broadcast most of its programmes on the rival network operated by Digital Broadcasting. Lukáš Kubát, CEO of the Prima Group, outlined the planned move to MediaGuru.cz.

Mr Kubát, the launch of your new nationwide channel, Prima Sport, on Digital Broadcasting’s DVB-T2 multiplex 24 comes as a big surprise. What led you to take this step?

We have entered into a long-term partnership with Digital Broadcasting, and Prima Sport is the first sign of this collaboration. Next year, we plan to move other channels to this multiplex as well.

Until now, you’ve had very close ties with ČRA, and it was no secret that you had your own dedicated data capacity there.

Yes, we did have a reserved bandwidth, but we have now received a significantly more favourable offer, which is why we are planning to switch to this network. I am very pleased about the partnership with Digital Broadcasting.

Can you reveal which programmes you intend to move to DVB-T2 multiplex 24?

The vast majority. As for České Radiokomunikace, we’re deciding whether to stay there with just one or two channels.

And is the portfolio of channels you’ll have after the launch of Prima Sport now final?

If we were to launch anything else, it would be some FAST channels with pay-TV operators. I don’t see any scope for us to launch another traditional thematic channel on top of sport at this stage.

And can Prima Sport operate on the FAST model?

No, it won’t be a FAST channel. Prima Sport will be part of a large ecosystem. That means the content will primarily be on the Prima platform, and then Prima Sport will acquire certain rights that we want to promote, or possibly broadcast them directly on free-to-air television.

I’d like to ask about picture quality. Given the pay-TV operators, your programmes on terrestrial television – with the exception of CNN Prima News – are only available in SD resolution. Now, all of a sudden, Prima Sport has appeared and is broadcasting in Full HD. Is this some sort of new trend that other channels will follow?

Prima Sport will be available in SD on terrestrial TV.

So was the HD just some sort of introductory promo?

Exactly. The channel isn’t officially broadcasting yet, so it was a sort of trial run, but it will then be in SD because we can’t breach our contracts with the operators.

So is this just a promotion lasting a few weeks?

No, it’ll just be those two Sparta matches, and then from 17 August the channel will be broadcast terrestrially in SD resolution only. Viewers will be able to find it in HD via operators and on Prima.

The operator Digital Broadcasting claims around 98 per cent coverage of the Czech Republic, which might be sufficient. However, from my experience, I know of viewers who really can’t tune into DVB-T2 multiplex 24. Aren’t you worried about that?

No. When I look at the development of IPTV, which has been growing steadily over the long term, I’m not worried about it. Whether DTT has one or two per cent less coverage doesn’t matter.

Well, it’s precisely the terrestrial broadcasting that’s the issue…

I know, but it’s been losing ground in the long term. If you look at the main source of revenue by platform, you can see how DTT is declining.

So, to sum up, how will your distribution mix develop?

For the time being, it’s staying as it is. We maintain a certain standard of quality for our terrestrial broadcasts, but we provide a higher quality service to pay-TV operators. From next year, we’ll be ‘splitting our services’, so we won’t just be with one terrestrial multiplex operator, but with both Digital Broadcasting and ČRA.

České Radiokomunikace retains its clients through long-term contracts. I assume that means those contracts are coming to an end for you?

Exactly. They’re due to end next year.

Source: mediaguru.cz

NOVA THIS AUTUMN: GOD’S PLAN, MEN IN FLIGHT, SUPERSTAR, THE WELL, CRIME UNIT ANDĚL AND THE SURGERY

At its programming press conference, the Nova Group unveiled its line-up for this autumn’s season. Its television line-up will feature new series for Tuesday and Thursday evenings, tried-and-tested reality shows and entertainment programmes, as well as original productions from Oneplay Originals.

The new series *God’s Plan* and *Men in Flight*, which are set to air on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, new episodes of *Criminal Investigation: Angel* and *Marta’s Extraordinary Cases*, the return of the reality TV formats *Superstar* and *The Lion’s Den*, the entertainment programme ‘Anything Is Possible’, the competition show ‘On the Hunt’, the inclusion of the series ‘The Well’, and episodes of ‘The Clinic in the Rose Garden’ not yet broadcast on television will all be featured by TV Nova’s main channel in its autumn schedule this year. It unveiled its programme at a press conference on Monday afternoon, alongside new features on its Oneplay platform.

TV Nova’s autumn programme schedule, source: TV Nova / MediaGuru.cz

The first series of *Kriminálka Anděl* will focus on cases involving online fraud, social welfare abuse, the betting mafia and organised crime. As usual, the Monday evening slot will be a highlight. This will be followed by repeats of *Specialisté*.
Following the end of the series *Jedna rodina*, Nova will fill the prime-time slot at 8.20 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays with the new series *Boží plán*. The 24-episode series from the creators of *Jedna rodina* will feature a trio of friends played by Marek Lambora, Václav Matějovský and Filip Březina. Together with Tomáš Jeřábek and Michaela Petřeková, they will form a group who “share a flat and try to start living by their own rules”.

After three months, the story of *God’s Plan* will come to an end and be replaced by another new series, the eight-part *Men in Flight*. Pavel Zedníček, Miroslav Donutil and Bolek Polívka will appear together on screen for the first time in the lead roles. Set in the Karlštejn region, the story will focus on three men who are coming to terms with their past and trying to keep a sense of perspective on life’s situations.

After a break of several years, the singing competition *SuperStar* will return to Nova and Markíza. The format, which has been running in the Czech Republic and Slovakia for more than two decades, will feature a new panel of judges, presenter Leoš Mareš and new singing talents. Nova will broadcast SuperStar for the first time on a Wednesday evening.

At the same time, Oneplay Originals will make their television debut. Until now, they have only been available on Oneplay. The titles include *Studna*, *Kauza Kramný*, *Případ Stodolovi* and *Případ Janákovi*. They will be shown in the Sunday evening slot.
As a special treat for viewers, TV Nova will also be showing episodes of *Ordinace v růžové zahradě 2*, which were previously only available on Oneplay. However, *Ordinace* will continue to premiere new episodes on Oneplay in the format viewers are accustomed to. It will appear on television in the second prime-time slot on Tuesday evenings.

The series *Marta’s Extraordinary Cases* will debut with new episodes (broadcast day yet to be announced). The main character, played by Tatiana Dyková, will return to the police force and once again solve cases in her own unique way. The competition programmes *Na lovu* (every weekday in the early evening, from 17 August), *Na lovu speciál* (Sunday evenings), *Anything Is Possible* (Saturdays from 8.20 pm) and, in the early evening slot, *Ulice* (every weekday, premiering from 17 August).
Nova will launch a new news and lifestyle discussion programme, *Taky názor*, which will focus on three topics each week. These will be discussed by people from across society. The presenters are Rebecca Diatilová and David Chmátal.
The main channel will also be showing a number of film premieres: *Moře na dvoře*, *Jak se nám to mohlo stát?*, *Něco za něco*, *Cukrkandl*, *Na horách* and *Princezna stokrát jinak*.
A new addition to Oneplay’s original programming will be the ten-part prison comedy *Oddíl B*. Twenty-year-old David Broulík, played by Tadeáš Moravec, ends up in prison after a life situation gets out of hand; he tells his girlfriend he’s joining the Foreign Legion. The series was created by Petr Kolečko and Jan Prušinovský, who previously collaborated on the series *Most!*.

Oneplay will also be showing the sixth series of the dating reality show *Love Island Czech Republic & Slovakia*.

According to CEO Daniel Grunt, the Nova Grouphas once again increased its investment in original content this year. The investment is primarily directed towards Oneplay Originals, TV Nova’s prime-time programming, and the sports channel Oneplay Sport. “We are entering the season with confidence; it is one of the most varied in recent years and, in terms of the proportion of original content premiering on the Czech market, truly exceptional,” commentedDaniel Grunt, CEO of the Nova Group.

Silvia Majeská, Programme Director at TV Nova and Oneplay, said that the autumn line-up combines established formats with new stories and faces. “For us, the combination of familiarity and surprise is key. We are returning to brands and formats that have a firm place in viewers’ hearts, whilst at the same time bringing new stories, new faces and projects that may pleasantly surprise them.”

According to Michal Reitler, Head of Development at TV Nova and Oneplay, original programming is expanding to include further genres and themes. “The series *Oddíl B* by Petr Kolečko and Honza Prušinovský is sure to be just such a surprise,” he said, adding that, in his view, the creative duo craft situations in which viewers experience the characters’ problems alongside them.

Details of the autumn schedule can be found here.

Source: mediaguru.cz

PRIMA THIS AUTUMN: NEW EPISODES OF POD HLADINOU, ZÁKONY VLKA, POLABÍ AND THE REALITY SHOW ZRÁDCI

TV Prima unveiled its autumn programming schedule at Tyršův dům in Prague. This autumn, the broadcaster aims to attract viewers with new episodes of series including Zákony vlka, Kriminálka Slapy: Pod hladinou and Polabí, as well as reality formats Ano, šéfe! and Zrádci.

New seasons of Pod hladinou and Zákony vlka, the continuation of Polabí, premiere episodes of Ano, šéfe!, as well as Show Jana Krause and Máme rádi Česko, and the third season of the reality show Zrádci form the backbone of the autumn schedule on the flagship channel TV Prima. The broadcaster presented its autumn programming at its traditional press conference, held this time at Tyršův dům in Prague. At the same time, Prima also unveiled its new sports channel Prima sport.

The autumn schedule will feature several changes compared with the current line-up:

Show Jana Krause (SJK) is moving to Tuesday’s second prime-time slot (from 9:40 p.m.). In the spring, this slot was occupied by the talk show 7 pádů Honzy Dědka. Prima is no longer continuing with the programme, which will instead air on Televize Seznam from September. The first SJK episode after the summer break will air on 25 August.
Prima is also introducing a new profile for Wednesday prime time, which will focus on the crime genre. The slot previously occupied by the series Kamarádi will be taken over in the autumn by premiere episodes of Kriminálka Slapy: Pod hladinou 2 (from 26 August). Until now, the series had only been available on the prima+ platform. The cast includes Marek Němec, Marek Adamczyk, Ivana Chýlková, Václav Vydra, Šárka Krausová and Filip Tomsa. The premiere episodes will be followed on Wednesday evenings by reruns of the crime series Dvojka na zabití.
The series Zákony vlka will also return with new episodes (from 29 August), retaining its Saturday prime-time slot from 8:20 p.m., as in previous seasons. Stanislav Majer and Linda Rybová will once again play the lead roles in the new episodes of the crime series, joined by Jan Vondráček, Jan Novotný, Josef Polášek, Tereza Švejdová, Kristýna Frejová, Martin Donutil, Martin Myšička and Tomáš Jeřábek.
New episodes of Polabí will return to Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 8:20 p.m. (from 25 August).
On Thursdays, the premiere season of the reality show Ano, šéfe!, featuring Zdeněk Pohlreich, will follow Polabí in the second slot from 9:40 p.m. (from 27 August).
Monday evenings will be devoted to reruns of the series Malý pitaval z velkého města, followed by the 1989 Czechoslovak crime series Dobrodružství kriminalistiky.
Friday evenings remain unchanged, with two episodes of Máme rádi Česko continuing to air (from 4 September).
Sunday prime time is reserved for the reality show Zrádci. Prima has not yet announced the exact launch date for the third season, but it is expected to begin sometime in September.
The programmes Inkognito and the early-evening show Prostřeno (from 24 August) will also continue.
A new addition will be Sportovní zprávy, a sports news programme being introduced in connection with the launch of the Prima sport channel.
Later in the autumn, viewers can also expect the continuation of Farma Vojty Kotka. The date has not yet been announced. The crime series Vraždy v Kutné hoře is also in preparation, starring Eva Podzimková as an investigator who is also raising twins.

TV Prima programming schedule for autumn 2026; Source: MediaGuru.cz

“The outlook for the coming autumn season confirms our strategy of investing in high-quality content across our platforms over the long term. We are strengthening our own Czech productions, expanding our offering with the new Prima sport channel and, together with the prima+ platform, creating a modern media ecosystem that offers viewers content exactly when and where they want to watch it,” said Lukáš Kubát, CEO of the Prima Group.

“Every day of the week, we will offer a strong programming pillar, ranging from family series and crime dramas to entertainment, major reality shows and Czech films,” added Alex Ruzek, Chief Broadcasting & Radio Officer of the Prima Group.

Programme Launch Dates

Polabí from 25 August on Prima, from 18 August on prima+
Kriminálka Slapy: Pod hladinou 2 from 26 August on Prima; the entire season is already available on prima+
Ano, šéfe! from 27 August on Prima, from 20 August on prima+
Zákony vlka 3 from 29 August on Prima, from 22 August on prima+
Prostřeno! from 24 August on Prima, with five new episodes every Monday on prima+
Show Jana Krause from 25 August on Prima
Máme rádi Česko, the anniversary 20th season, from 4 September on Prima
Zrádci from September on Prima, with advance premieres on prima+

Selection of autumn programmes on Prima’s thematic channels

Prima Cool

Futurama (Season 11): The animated series returns after more than ten years. The new episodes retain the show’s original satirical humour while also reflecting topics such as the COVID pandemic and cryptocurrencies.
Duchové: The American adaptation of the British sitcom. A young couple inherits a country estate inhabited by a group of ghosts from different historical periods.
Belzebubové: An animated family sitcom based on the comic by Finnish author JP Ahonen. It follows the everyday life of an unconventional family headed by Beelzebub himself.
Comedy Club: New episodes of the stand-up show following the premiere episodes of Partička.
Taková moderní rodinka: An American sitcom about three interconnected families and their everyday lives.
Pán a jeho plán: A comedy starring Matt LeBlanc as a building contractor trying to balance family and working life.
Autosalon: The motoring magazine enters a new season with a revamped format and new presenter Štěpánka Mottlová.
Fotr na tripu XII: A new season of Pepa Vrtal’s travel show, this time taking viewers along the legendary American Route 66.

Prima Max

Austrálie: A historical romantic drama starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, set during World War II.
Chyť mě, když to dokážeš: Steven Spielberg’s crime drama starring Leonardo DiCaprio, inspired by the true story of con man Frank Abagnale.
Klan Gucci: A biographical drama about the Gucci family, starring Lady Gaga.
Marťan: Ridley Scott’s sci-fi film starring Matt Damon as an astronaut stranded on Mars.
James Bond: The autumn schedule will also feature a series of films about Agent 007.
Hrozba smrti: A new version of the 1989 action film Road House.
Challengers: A sports drama starring Zendaya, set in the world of professional tennis.
Nouzový kód: A thriller about the hijacking of an aircraft during a flight from Berlin to Paris.
Quiz Lady: A comedy about two sisters who enter a television quiz show in an attempt to solve their financial problems.

Prima Krimi

Vraždy ve Splitu: A new German-Croatian crime series following homicide investigators in Split.
Stíny smrti: The continuation of a French crime series focusing on unsolved crimes.
Castle na zabití: An American crime series starring Nathan Fillion as a writer who works with the police. It will begin again from Season 1 this autumn.

Prima Love

Všechny barvy lásky: A new Portuguese telenovela combining romance, family secrets and crime storylines.
Mrazivý plán: A thriller about a woman who discovers that her own husband wants to kill her.
Stín nevěry: A story of manipulation and betrayal that reveals the darker side of a romantic relationship.
V osidlech důvěry: A film inspired by the real-life murder case of Heidi Broussard.
Ve spárech terapeutky: A thriller about a married couple who become victims of manipulation.
Záhady pro Maddie: Pro vraždu stiskněte 1: A crime-romance film in which the protagonist investigates a murder following a mysterious phone call.

Prima Zoom

Tajuplný svět zvuků s Davidem Attenboroughem: A three-part documentary series exploring the importance of sound in the animal kingdom.
Norské domy snů (Season 11): The continuation of the popular series about building and renovating homes in the Norwegian countryside.
Nejluxusnější cesty vlakem: A travel series with Alan Cumming focusing on railway journeys.
Zapomenutí dobrodruzi českých dějin: A new Czech documentary series introducing lesser-known figures from Czech history.
Utajené příběhy českých dějin VI: Another season of the documentary series devoted to historical mysteries.
Uranové legendy: A new Czech feature-length documentary focusing on the history of the uranium industry.

Prima Show

Shopaholičky: A Czech reality show in which contestants create outfits based on a given theme.
Svatba na první pohled Austrálie (Season 13): The continuation of the social experiment.
Zrádci UK (Season 3): The British version of the strategic reality show.
Zrádci USA (Season 3): The American version of the strategic reality show.
Ano, šéfe s Gordonem Ramsaym USA (Season 10): New episodes of the programme in which the famous chef helps struggling restaurants.
Dračí záchranáři: An animated series for children.
Jurský svět: An animated series inspired by the Jurassic World film franchise.

CNN Prima News

České zájmy v Evropě – speciál z Bruselu: The opening programme of the election coverage, focusing on European issues.
Partie: Měsíc do voleb: A special edition of the political discussion programme one month before the municipal and Senate elections.
K Věci – volební rozhovory: Profile interviews with the leaders of political parties and movements.
Předvolební debaty: At least two major debates per week during the election campaign.
Volební centrum: Special election coverage featuring results, analyses, commentary and augmented-reality elements.

Prima Star

Vraždy, které šokovaly: A true-crime series about women convicted of murder or attempted murder.
Dánské zločiny: A documentary series about Denmark’s most significant criminal cases.
Ženy, které zabíjely: A documentary series focusing on Denmark’s best-known female murderers.
Jake a Tlusťoch: A classic American crime series about a district attorney and a private detective.
Hádej, kdo jsem: An entertainment show in which participants guess the identities of well-known personalities.
Show Jana Krause: A talk show featuring guests from the worlds of culture, sport and public life.
Jak se staví sen: A programme focusing on home makeovers.
Prostřeno! (retro episodes): Archive episodes of the culinary reality show.
More information can be found in this document.

Source: mediaguru.cz

CANADA INTRODUCES A GROUNDBREAKING MECHANISM TO BLOCK PIRACY WEBSITES – EVEN THOSE THAT DO NOT YET EXIST

The fight against the illegal distribution of audiovisual content on the internet has reached unprecedented levels in Canada. The country’s Federal Court has issued an injunction that goes significantly beyond previous practice: in addition to currently active piracy platforms, it also targets websites that had not even been launched at the time of the ruling.

The order follows a joint lawsuit brought by Netflix, Disney and Warner Bros., in collaboration with the Canadian telecoms operators Rogers and TVA.

According to information from the TorrentFreak website, Canadian internet service providers – specifically Bell, Telus and TekSavvy – are required to immediately block access to an initial list of 18 domains and subdomains. This list includes, in particular, popular streaming sites such as 123Movies and FMovies, as well as a number of paid IPTV services.

This sets a precedent illustrating how quickly regulatory requirements for ISPs can change and what demands may be placed on European operators in future as part of copyright enforcement.

How the ‘Expanded Scope’ mechanism works

A key element of the decision is a simplified procedure for the ongoing updating of the blocking list, known as ‘Expanded Scope’. The previous model was a lengthy process for copyright holders: every time they identified a new alternative domain or a clone of a pirate site, they had to go through the entire court proceedings and obtain a new court order.

The new approach significantly shortens this process. Film studios and television companies can now add new piracy platforms to the blocking list virtually independently. All they need to do is submit a statutory declaration confirming that the specific website meets the court’s criteria – namely, that its primary purpose is the unauthorised distribution of protected content.\n\nIf none of the internet service providers concerned raises a formal objection within five working days, the new domain is automatically included in the block. The entire process requires no further court proceedings or a judge’s signature.

From the perspective of the studios involved, this represents a dramatic acceleration in the fight against digital piracy, which naturally adapts to the speed with which the operators of pirate websites themselves respond to blocking measures – usually by immediately launching new domains.

Net neutrality under pressure: operators’ concerns

Representatives of the entertainment industry describe the new mechanism as a key tool in the fight against the rapid proliferation of mirror sites. However, digital rights advocates and some operators are significantly more sceptical.

The Canadian ISP TekSavvy, which was one of the few to have actively challenged the country’s first blocking orders in the past, did not file a formal legal objection this time, though it did publicly distance itself from the order. On its page dedicated to regulatory compliance, the company emphasised that blocking orders of this type constitute a serious infringement of the principles of net neutrality and alter the very fundamental mission of internet service providers – whose historical role has been to transmit data traffic without any discrimination based on content.

The question of where the line lies between the enforcement of rights and operator neutrality remains open. The court order itself is valid for a period of two years. Its actual impact will depend on how many new domains Hollywood studios manage to add to the blocking list without direct judicial oversight before this period expires.

Source: procomputing.cz

THOUSANDS OF WEBSITES TAKEN DOWN FOR ILLEGAL WORLD CUP STREAMS

According to the US Department of Justice (DOJ), nearly 3,000 websites were blocked or seized for illegally streaming World Cup matches.

In the US alone, more than 1,000 domains were blocked during the tournament, with a similar number also blocked in Colombia. Law enforcement agencies in the US and across South America carried out this operation as part of investigations known as ‘Operation Offsides’ and ‘Operation Red Card’.

Ivan J. Arvelo, director of the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Centre (NIPRCC), stated that the unauthorised streaming of World Cup matches infringes intellectual property rights and “supports criminal organisations”.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced at the end of last month that it had taken down 400 websites in connection with the illegal streaming of the World Cup. Hundreds more have now been taken down or blocked. “The ongoing efforts to seize more than a thousand domains used for the illegal streaming of the World Cup confirm the government’s commitment to enforcing intellectual property rights and ensuring the success of the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” said A. Tysen Duva, Deputy Assistant Attorney General at the DOJ. Enforcement of these measures is primarily overseen by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a federal agency of which the NIPRCC forms part.

Illegal broadcasting of sporting events often takes place via websites or sites created specifically for a given event. Companies and broadcasters estimatethat this activity costs them billions of dollars annually.

Given its global popularity, football is, according to analysts, pirated on an “industrial scale”. The rising cost of broadcasting rights contracts for matches has led to higher prices for fans at home, particularly if they choose to pay for multiple services to watch their team’s matches. This has led some fans to turn to illegal streams of major matches to avoid these costs.

Charles Rivkin, chairman of the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE) – an organisation focused on combating digital piracy which assisted with the police operation – said on Monday that the World Cup is “the sort of global live event that pirate networks are quick to exploit for their own gain”.

The crackdown on illegal streaming was also supported by FIFA, which organises the World Cup, as well as beIN Media Group, NBC Universal, the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Warner Brothers.

A large proportion of FIFA’s revenue comes from the sale of broadcasting rights to various global media networks wishing to broadcast the matches on television. Neither FIFA nor the other media organisations responded immediately to requests for comment.

The Colombian Attorney General’s Office stated that it had even made several arrests in connection with these operations.

Four members of the so-called ‘cybercrime group’ Los Ciberinfiltrados were arrested for allegedly illegally obtaining and distributing access to World Cup matches. A further 830 websites were also blocked in Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil and the Dominican Republic.

In addition to illegal streaming, the Colombian police carried out “nationwide search and seizure operations” targeting counterfeit sportswear.

The Ministry of Justice stated that 11 people had been arrested and convicted in the country for the illegal manufacture and distribution of counterfeit sports goods.

Source: bbc.com

FACT AND SKY TARGET IRISH IPTV RESELLERS

FACT and Sky have issued legal warnings to 10 suspected illegal IPTV resellers in Ireland as part of their latest action against so-called dodgy boxes.

The cease-and-desist notices were served on individuals operating in Carlow, Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Laois and Limerick, following investigations by FACT and Sky. The resellers have been told to stop selling illegal IPTV subscriptions or face possible civil proceedings or referral to the Gardaí.

The services are believed to have supplied thousands of end-users with unauthorised access to premium TV, films and live sport. FACT also warned that people using illegal services could have their details identified and passed to authorities.

Nick Sumner, FACT Investigation Manager, said illegal streaming depended on “a chain of people who promote, sell and provide access to unauthorised content”.

“Resellers are often the direct link between illegal streaming operations and members of the public,” he said. “They sell subscriptions locally through personal recommendations, social media and messaging services, while exposing customers to unreliable services and wider risks involving fraud, malware and the misuse of personal information.”

The action follows a series of Irish enforcement moves by Sky and FACT. Earlier this year, Sky obtained a High Court order requiring Revolut to disclose the details of 304 subscribers and 10 resellers linked to the IPTV Is Easy service. Sky subsequently sent cease-and-desist letters to around 200 individuals who had paid for illegal subscriptions.

In September 2025, FACT and Sky also served legal notices on 15 shops and resellers across nine counties accused of selling illegal streaming subscriptions, supplying configured devices or referring customers to resellers.

There have also been recent court outcomes in Ireland. In July 2025, the High Court ordered County Wexford man David Dunbar, who ran IPTV Is Easy, to pay €480,000 in damages to Sky, with a further €30,000 fine for contempt of court. In 2024, Naas Circuit Criminal Court sentenced Kildare-based King Kong Media operator Ciaran Donovan to three years and four months in prison, with the final two years suspended, for money laundering offences linked to more than €900,000 in criminal proceeds.

Matthew Hibbert, Group Director of Anti-Piracy at Sky, said: “Illegal streaming is not a victimless crime – it damages jobs, drains investment from the Irish creative industries, and places viewers at risk. It also puts money into the hands of criminals.”

The campaign comes as broadcasters and rights holders continue to focus enforcement on illegal IPTV resellers and customers, particularly around live sport, where piracy remains a significant challenge.

Source: broadbandtvnews.com

CZECHS SPEND OVER FOUR HOURS IN FRONT OF THE TELEVISION, OF WHICH 37 MINUTES ARE SPENT STREAMING OR PLAYING GAMES

Television broadcasts still account for the bulk of the time spent in front of the TV screen. However, people are increasingly using their televisions to watch streaming services, online videos or play games, according to data provided by Atmedia.

86 per cent of Czech households owna television, which remains the main hub of home entertainment. Official television viewing figures published by Atmedia show that viewers aged 15 and over spend an average of 4 hours and 7 minutes a day in front of the television.

The largest proportion of this time is spent watching television channels. Linear broadcasting accounts for 85 per cent of the total time spent watching television, which corresponds to approximately three and a half hours a day. The remaining 15 per cent – an average of 37 minutes – is spent by viewers on other activities, such as watching online videos, using streaming services, listening to music and podcasts, or playing games.

The share of these activities has been growing steadily over the long term. Whilst in 2015 people spent an average of eight minutes a day on them, five years later this had risen to 21 minutes and now stands at 37 minutes. “Despite this trend, it still accounts for only 15 per cent of the total time people spend in front of the television screen. Television broadcasting therefore remains the primary use of the television,” said Michaela Suráková, managing director of Atmedia.

A more pronounced shift in how the television is used is particularly evident among younger viewers. In the 25 to 34 age group, activities other than watching television account for an average of 55 minutes a day, representing 40 per cent of the time spent in front of the screen. For viewers aged 35 to 44, these activities account for roughly a third of viewing time. By contrast, for the 55+ age group, they account for only eight per cent of time.

The expansion of other ways of using the television is also linked to the growing number of devices connected to the internet. Whilst 35 per cent of households had a TV connected to the internet in 2020, this figure had risen to 59 per cent last year. According to Atmedia, the television is thus gradually transforming into a multimedia device which, in addition to linear broadcasting, offers access to a range of applications and services.

At the same time, the data shows that the television screen remains the preferred device for watching longer video content. 79 per cent of Czechs watch series and programmes lasting up to one hour on their television, whilst for films and programmes longer than an hour, this figure rises to 86 per cent. Short videos, on the other hand, are most commonly watched on smartphones.

Source: mediaguru.cz

WHAT INDUSTRIALIZED ILLEGAL STREAMING IS COSTING THE INDUSTRY IN 2026

In this clip from her keynote fireside chat at Streaming Media Connect 2026, Verimatrix Director of Product Management Maria Malinkowitsch offers a snapshot of live-streaming piracy in 2026, what it’s costing major sports rightsholders, why the fragmentation of sports rights and the cost burden on fans is making the industry susceptible to pirates, and how the industrialization of illegal streaming and the rise of “piracy as a service” are adding fuel to the fire and making antipiracy efforts more challenging than ever.

How Piracy Has Evolved

Streaming Media Editor-in-Chief Steve Nathans-Kelly opens the conversation by saying, “Streaming piracy I think is often described as a moving target or, even more colorfully, as a game of whack-a-mole. And the pirates are always doing whatever they can to stay out of your way or a step ahead of you.” He asks Malinkowitsch to talk about how piracy has evolved, how much money the industry loses to illegal streaming, and what these factors have meant for anti-piracy strategies.

Malinkowitsch says that the streaming industry is losing $67 billion to illegal IPTV platforms these days. “And if you want to compare it to something apart from it being the whole budget of a small- to mid-size European country, it actually, funny enough, equals exactly the amount which is estimated in 2026 for sports rights globally. So basically the money you make for sports rights is in parallel being completely stolen by pirates,” she notes. “We can also clearly state that piracy has mostly moved away—when it comes really to a high- and premium-level content—from the torrents.”

Torrents and downloadable content have decreased by more than 40% over the last few years, Malinkowitsch says, with a shift toward even “pay TV” offerings coming from piracy along with an excellent user experience. Streamers need to follow “how the user behavior changes. … And looking at how segregated [the] sports market has become, specifically when it comes to European football—soccer—or also other rights where you really need a bunch of subscriptions to watch all the matches you would like to see, that’s leading to a lot of frustration with the subscribers,” she explains. “Most pirates, when asked why they’re using these piracy offerings, it’s not price anymore. It’s really convenience and user experience.”

It’s Easier and Cheaper to Be a Pirate Now

Nathans-Kelly brings up the concepts of “the industrialization of illegal streaming” and “piracy as a service.” He asks, “Can you describe a little bit about what that is, what it means, and how it complicates anti-piracy?”

Malinkowitsch notes that 10 or 15 years ago, “you had to be a hacker to start piracy as a business. Nowadays, you really can go on the dark web and acquire a complete platform with most beautiful recommendation engines, layout, and a platform which looks like the best in class like Netflix and Disney+. And what you get in this platform would be thousands of channels, all of the sports you want in brilliant quality, 4K, everything, and starting at as little as say five bucks per month, which is kind of in no relation to what you pay for potentially five sports channels and some premium VOD.”

The new methods for retrieving and stealing content have facilitated this shift. It’s now “popular to take the content directly from the content delivery networks, from the CDNs, and make the legitimate content provider whom you are stealing the content from pay for the traffic,” Malinkowitsch says. Pirates keep their costs low; they are only paying the hacker for running the platform.

Companies Have Difficulty Competing

“And so as long as this goes on, legitimate streamers can’t compete with that, really,” Nathans-Kelly laments.

“It is enormously hard really to compete,” Malinkowitsch agrees. She points to the differing legislation surrounding piracy around the world. “So for instance, in Switzerland, using piracy is not even illegal. And from that perspective, people, when really watching these piracy streams, they don’t feel like they’re committing a crime. They even push back by saying, ‘Listen, you made it so hard for me. You made me pay, I don’t know, 150 bucks in five different subscriptions. And the only thing I have from that, I cannot find the stream I want to watch.’ So it’s really kind of pushing the conscience to be on the right side.”

Malinkowitsch concludes, “And in the end, obviously that leads to enormous revenue losses, because when we think about the fight with churn, with the cost of a subscriber acquisition and then losing all of that to platforms which are so much cheaper, is really bitter for the companies running it, indeed.”

Source: streamingmedia.com