Streameast Shut Down: Major Blow to Illegal Sports Streaming After Global Crackdown

Streameast, previously recognized as the world's largest illegal sports streaming platform, has been officially shut down following an extensive year-long investigation. The shutdown is a result of collaborative efforts between the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE)—a coalition that includes prominent media entities such as Amazon, Apple TV+, Netflix, and Paramount—and Egyptian law enforcement authorities. This operation is part of ACE's ongoing mission to combat digital piracy.

The comprehensive crackdown took place on August 24 and effectively dismantled an intricate network of 80 unauthorized domains. These websites collectively amassed over 1.6 billion visits in the last year, offering free access to global sporting events. The platform's content spanned a range of popular leagues and competitions, including Europe's Premier League and Champions League, along with major U.S. sports such as the NFL, NBA, and MLB.

Streameast’s reach extended to a global audience, with significant user traffic emanating primarily from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the Philippines, and Germany. On average, the network attracted 136 million visits per month, making it a formidable presence in the illegal online streaming market.

During the coordinated raid in the Giza Governorate of Egypt, local law enforcement apprehended two individuals on suspicion of copyright infringement. The operation led to the confiscation of devices such as laptops and smartphones, which were allegedly used to facilitate the illegal streaming operations. Additionally, authorities unearthed a sophisticated money laundering scheme linked to a shell company in the United Arab Emirates. This entity reportedly funneled advertising revenues amounting to £4.9 million (or approximately $6.2 million) since 2010, along with £150,000 (approximately $200,000) in cryptocurrency holdings. The illicit funds were potentially used to acquire multiple real estate properties in Egypt.

Notably, Streameast also provided unauthorized access to a variety of other sports, including pay-per-view boxing, mixed martial arts, Formula One racing, and MotoGP. These elements contributed to its stature as a comprehensive hub for illicit sports broadcasting.

The ACE's enforcement action underscores the coalition's commitment to disrupting digital piracy networks globally. Charles Rivkin, chairman of ACE and CEO of the Motion Picture Association, highlighted the significance of this victory, recognizing it as a crucial step toward protecting the value of sports leagues and entertainment entities. Similarly, Ed McCarthy, COO of DAZN Group, commended the operation's success, emphasizing the adverse impact of such illegal activities on the broader sports ecosystem and its fans.

ACE, in partnership with international agencies such as Europol and the U.S. Department of Justice, remains vigilant in its pursuit of piracy networks across the globe. The organization is currently investigating so-called "copycat" sites, which have emerged in the wake of Streameast’s takedown, aiming to fill the void left by the original platform.

This decisive action reflects an ongoing global effort to safeguard intellectual property rights and ensure the sustainability of legal sports broadcasting services. As the fight against digital piracy continues, ACE's collective enforcement approach serves as a deterrent to other entities that may attempt to exploit the market illegally.