Pirate IPTV Blocking Expanded for UFC, MLB, and Others

In a significant step to combat illegal streaming, Canadian sports rightsholders and broadcasters have ramped up efforts to block IPTV streams.

Leading this initiative is the UK-based company Friend MTS, known for its expertise in video content security. A federal court injunction obtained earlier this year is now being used to block streams of the NHL, NBA, and Premier League, with UFC and MLB quietly joining the ranks as well.

This move highlights a growing collaboration among broadcasters to combat IPTV streaming.

Canada’s First Dynamic Blocking Order

The story began in June 2022 when Canada’s Federal Court issued the first-ever ‘dynamic’ blocking order. This injunction, obtained by major broadcasters like Rogers, Bell, The Sports Network (TSN), and Groupe TVA, was designed to prevent pirate IPTV streams from airing live NHL games.

The order was the first of its kind in Canada, and much like similar measures in the UK and Europe, it has since evolved to encompass other sports leagues.

Expanding the Scope

In April 2024, broadcasters including Bell, Fubo TV, Rogers, and TSN filed a new application to block streams of NHL and NBA games, as well as Premier League matches.

The goal was to streamline the process, combining multiple sports leagues into a single court order, rather than pursuing separate cases for each event.

This application was aimed at increasing efficiency, reducing legal fees, and improving the ability to block pirated content in real time.

On July 9, 2024, the Federal Court granted this new dynamic blocking injunction, allowing the rightsholders to block pirated streams more effectively.

Interestingly, on the same day, the applicants filed a motion to expand the scope of the order to include additional content from UFC and Major League Baseball (MLB). This expansion occurred quietly, with little public attention.

Friend MTS Takes the Lead

Friend MTS, a leader in video content security, has been selected to manage all pirate IPTV blocking efforts. The company uses a technology called Dynamic Delivery Server Blocking (DDSB) to prevent pirated streams from reaching viewers.

While the collaboration was described as an “industry-first,” the specific companies involved were not named in the announcement. However, it was clear that the NBA, NHL, and other major broadcasters were part of the effort to enforce the court’s ruling.

One of the key benefits of this collaboration is the reduction of court application fees and appearances, which saves both time and money for the rightsholders involved. By working together, the broadcasters can protect billions of dollars in sports content more efficiently.

UFC and MLB Join the Fight Against Piracy

Though much of the focus has been on the NHL, NBA, and Premier League, UFC and MLB have also quietly entered the IPTV blocking arena.

On the same day the Federal Court granted the original injunction, a motion was filed to add these two sports leagues to the order. The addition of UFC and MLB highlights the growing importance of protecting live sports broadcasts from piracy.

While the addition of UEFA’s Euro 2024 coverage seems limited, UFC and MLB content will likely see ongoing protection under this new blocking regime.

Canadian ISPs, including Bell Canada, Rogers, Telus, and others, will be responsible for enforcing the court’s orders by blocking access to pirate streams.

Future Expansion

The collaboration between broadcasters and Friend MTS suggests that Canada’s IPTV blocking efforts could expand even further.

Based on similar programs in other countries, it’s likely that more sports leagues and rightsholders will take action. We have already seen anti-piracy authorities push for site blocking in the United States.

Wrapping Up

Canada’s latest efforts to combat pirate IPTV streams could raise concerns about the growing power of broadcasters and the potential consequences for consumers.

While the blocking of unauthorized streams is aimed at protecting revenue for major sports leagues like the NHL, NBA, UFC, and MLB, it also limits access for viewers who may be unable to afford traditional subscriptions.

This approach could set a troubling precedent, where the interests of large corporations take priority over consumer choice.

For more information on this story, refer to the report from TorrentFreak.

We want to know your thoughts on this story. What do you think about Canada expanding its IPTV blocking? Let us know in the comment section below!

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