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Study: The Best IPTV Providers in Germany
Which IPTV provider is the best in Germany? A study by zafaco and IMTEST provides the answer. IPTV Providers Under Scrutiny
With the expiration of the ancillary cost privilege for cable connections at the end of June 2024, millions of cable TV customers are looking for the best television experience. The network testing specialist zafaco, in collaboration with IMTEST from the Funke Media Group, has conducted an extensive test of various IPTV providers to reveal which IPTV service offers the most stable and reliable connection.

To achieve this, the two companies evaluated more than 400,000 test connections based on various criteria, including multi-use capabilities for television, surfing, and telephony. Christoph Sudhues, founder and managing partner of zafaco GmbH, explains the methodology: “Our tests, using a very elaborate methodology, reveal significant differences between the providers. It’s clear that price should not be the sole deciding factor when choosing an IPTV service.”

Telekom Triumphs with MagentaTV
According to this comprehensive study, Deutsche Telekom's MagentaTV Smart 2.0 delivers the best IPTV product in Germany. The company consistently performs well, particularly impressing with its channel offerings and features. However, slight delays in channel switching under additional data load were noted.

1&1 TV also performed admirably, securing second place, thanks to its low error rate and good audio and video quality. Minor criticisms were made regarding slight delays in channel switching. Among nationwide providers, Telefónica’s O2 TV ranked third, primarily due to occasional fluctuations in voice quality under high data load. Vodafone's GigaTV Net came in fourth, partly due to slower connection times when additional data load is present.

Regional Providers
Among regional providers, NetCologne's NetTV took first place, scoring high on quality, responsiveness, and low error rates. HD TV from Deutsche Glasfaser followed in second and last place in this category, partly due to a higher error rate during channel switching under additional data load.

Combating IPTV Piracy: Cloudflare and IPTV Users Under Pressure
DAZN warns of IPTV piracy and calls for stricter measures from Cloudflare and legal action against customers of illegal IPTV providers. Illegal streaming is no longer a minor offense. IPTV piracy has become a serious threat to the media industry, particularly affecting sports broadcasts. The streaming provider DAZN is sounding the alarm, demanding tougher action against customers of illegal IPTV services. Additionally, Cloudflare is increasingly coming under scrutiny.

The Growing Threat of Piracy
Romano Righetti, Director of External Affairs at DAZN, spoke before a committee of the Italian Senate this week. His message was clear: combating IPTV piracy must become a top priority. He emphasized that the current measures against IPTV pirates and their customers are insufficient. He also expressed serious concerns about the role of US companies like Cloudflare.

Although Italy has implemented measures such as the Piracy Shield, Righetti pointed out that the system is often ineffective. The reason? IPTV pirates continuously find new loopholes. They use sophisticated services to circumvent blocks, turning the fight against illegal streams into a game of cat and mouse.

Without naming Cloudflare directly, Righetti criticized the role of such services. He stated that they provide pirates with technical means to obscure their activities. DAZN is now calling for these companies to be held more accountable and to actively participate in the fight against piracy.

Targeting Users of Illegal Streams
The statistics are sobering. According to a study by the anti-piracy group FAPAV, the Italian Serie A loses approximately 285 million euros annually due to illegal streams. This represents a significant financial hit to the football industry.

One of DAZN's more radical demands is the criminal prosecution of IPTV customers. Righetti considers this a crucial step. He hopes for a swift agreement between AGCOM, Guardia di Finanza, and the public prosecutor’s office, aiming to deter users of illegal streams. This was reported by TorrentFreak in a recent article.

DAZN makes it clear: the fight against IPTV piracy can only be won globally. International cooperation is essential to close loopholes and dismantle piracy networks.

Tougher Measures on the Horizon?
DAZN's demands are clear: stricter laws, more pressure on companies like Cloudflare, and the prosecution of users of illegal streams. Whether these measures will be implemented remains to be seen. What is clear is that the debate over IPTV piracy will continue to intensify.

DAZN's push could be a turning point. Should these demands be met, the landscape of digital media consumption could fundamentally change. For users of illegal streams, things could become uncomfortable. The industry is hopeful for a breakthrough in the fight against piracy, but it is likely to be a long road ahead.

Provider of Illegal Streaming Services Arrested
In Northwest England, a provider of illegal streaming services was arrested last Wednesday on charges related to both the illegal streaming operation and possession of cocaine. Police Raid Uncovers Drugs and Equipment
Investigators from Cheshire Police's Cyber Crime Unit, supported by FACT, apprehended a suspect as part of an ongoing investigation into illegal online streaming services.

At around 9:30 AM on Wednesday, July 3, police executed a search warrant at an address in Widnes. A 51-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of fraud (illegal streaming services), possession of criminal property, and possession of Class A drugs (cocaine). He has since been released on bail pending further investigation.

During the raid, police seized several electronic devices, including computers, phones, and digital satellite TV equipment. Additionally, they confiscated cryptocurrencies, cash, and a small quantity of drugs. The seized items also included modified set-top boxes and Fire TV sticks used to facilitate illegal paid access.

Ongoing Investigation
According to the police statement, the confiscated devices are currently undergoing further forensic examination with the assistance of FACT. Detective Constable Hannah Clement, a specialized cyber investigator, commented on the arrest:

Illegal Streaming is Not a Victimless Crime
"Many people believe that illegal streaming is a victimless crime, but that is simply not true. The entertainment industry suffers significant losses, and it is unfair to the millions of people who work hard to pay for their subscription services while others cheat the system. Using illegal streaming services also increases the risk of malware, which can give criminals access to your network and jeopardize personal data.

I hope this warrant serves as a warning to those who knowingly commit or facilitate online copyright infringement."

Whether the police action in Southwest England will have a deterrent effect remains to be seen. It seems unlikely, as many consumers save a substantial amount of money with the illegal offerings of IPTV providers, and sellers of illegal streaming services can make a lot of money in a short period.

Bryan Cranston's Daughter Joins Noah Wyle in New Hospital Drama "The Pitt"
The American streaming service Max has ordered a new hospital drama titled "The Pitt" from the former "ER" team. The 15-episode debut season, produced by successful producer John Wells, has now confirmed nine new cast members. Unfortunately, no details have been released about the characters these new actors will portray in the series led by Noah Wyle.

"The Pitt" is set as a drama focusing on the heroes working in a present-day Pittsburgh hospital, battling daily for the health of their patients. This martial view of the medical profession emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic when hospital staff faced high risks of infection and danger to their lives.

Among the new additions, Isa Briones and Fiona Dourif are likely the most recognizable. Briones portrayed four different roles with the same face in "Star Trek: Picard," including the "twins" Dahj and Soji from the first season. Dourif has been a long-time part of the "Chucky" franchise and is currently seen in the series "Chucky."

Taylor Dearden, despite landing lead roles in series like "Sweet/Vicious," is still in the shadow of her famous father, "Breaking Bad" star Bryan Cranston. Dearden professionally uses her mother’s maiden name.

British actress Tracy Ifeachor has appeared in spy series such as "Treadstone," "Quantico," and "Treason." Gerran Howell has been in several youth series and had leading roles in "Emerald City" and "Catch-22." Katherine LaNasa, at 57, is the oldest actor cast in the series so far and is likely suited for a supervisory role. Her recent regular roles include "Truth Be Told," "Katy Keene," and "Imposters."

"The Pitt" promises to bring intense and heartfelt storytelling to the medical drama genre, with a talented cast ready to depict the challenging and heroic lives of healthcare professionals.

IOC Takes Firm Stance Against Illegal IPTV Providers During 2024 Olympics
The 2024 Olympic Games in France are underway, captivating millions of sports fans around the world. However, behind the scenes, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is engaged in a different kind of competition – a battle against piracy, particularly illegal broadcasting. The Rise of Olympic Piracy – And the IOC’s Response
Illegal streaming sites and unauthorized IPTV providers have caught the attention of the IOC, as these services distribute Olympic content without authorization, much to the dismay of official rights holders. To combat this, the IOC has taken legal action that is now being enforced during the games.

Legal Actions and Immediate Impact
In mid-July, just before the games began, the IOC, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), and the Paris Organizing Committee COJOP2024 filed a lawsuit. This effort met with little resistance, and French internet service providers are now required to block access to illegal streaming sites.

A Paris court issued a dynamic injunction that is fully effective during the 2024 Olympics. This injunction allows for a flexible response to new instances of "Olympic piracy." When new illegal domains appear, they can be swiftly added to the block list. The telecommunications provider Arcom plays a crucial role as an intermediary in this process, as reported by TorrentFreak.

Visible Effects of the Measures
These measures are already showing results, with some affected domains being redirected or rendered inaccessible. The blocking orders will remain in force until September 8, the end of the 2024 Olympic Games.

The IOC's strict approach might surprise some, but it underscores the significance of the issue. The Olympics are not only a major sporting event but also a significant economic factor, where brand rights and broadcasting licenses are crucial.

As the games continue, the IOC remains vigilant, ensuring that legitimate broadcasters can deliver the Olympic experience to fans around the globe without the interference of unauthorized streams.

Twisted R-Rated Thriller On Prime Video Makes Beloved A-List Star Into A Monster Most first-time directors don’t start out with a successful film that earns back twice its budget and then becomes a streaming hit, but then again, most first-time directors aren’t Zoe Kravitz. The actress wrote and directed the thriller Blink Twice, which debuted last year in theaters and stunned audiences by turning Channing Tatum into a villain. The hunk’s typical dopey “Aw shucks” personality was replaced by his sinister turn as a tech mogul up to no good.

Billionaire Private Islands Never End Well Blink Twice centers on Frida (played by Naomi Ackie, star of the upcoming Mickey 17), a waitress enticed to go spend a weekend on the private island of billionaire Slater King (Channing Tatum), who is, of course, incredibly handsome and charming, but there’s a sleaze under the carefully crafted facade, unlike any other role in Tatum’s career. Joining the pair are Slater’s friends, which includes Tom (Haley Joel Osment), Cody (Simon Rex), and Stan (Christian Slater), and a few other women, including Frida’s friend, Jess (Alia Shawkat from Final Girls), and Sarah, a reality star (Good Omens’ Adria Arjona). What starts with scenes of partying, drinking, and lounging by the pool soon takes a dark turn.

One morning, Frida realizes that Jess is gone, and no one else on the island seems to remember she was ever there. Though it plays with familiar horror tropes, the film’s exotic setting lulls even the viewers into a state of euphoria before all hell breaks loose. Blink Twice is slow to reveal what’s happening to the guests of the island, but once it kicks into the third act, it goes full-bore toward the finale.

A Future Cult Classic In interviews, Zoe Kravitz explained that she started working on the first draft of the film back in 2017 and that it’s been a passion of hers for years. Blink Twice is her vision brought to life, and while there are a few stumbles, and as far as the film goes with its plot, it still feels like it’s holding back. None of the characters ever feel like they are fully fleshed out, and each can be summed up in a few words, but whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing is entirely subjective and based on how you like your horror.

What Kravitz pulled off is what most horror directors try to do, which is take the anxiety of their times and present it through the lens of a horror tale that turns the fear and anxiety into something tangible. Blink Twice succeeds by embracing different levels of very real fears in society today and tilting them a little to produce a future cult classic. As of now, the film, which earned back double its production budget of $20 million in theaters, has accomplished the rare feat of getting critics and the public to agree on Rotten Tomatoes, with a 75 percent and 71 percent fresh, respectively.

Blink Twice won’t earn any fans for being original, and it might be too rooted in current societal trends to remain relevant, though sadly, it likely will for a very long time, but there are plenty of horror films released each year that are significantly worse. Zoe Kravitz proved that she has talent behind the camera, and hopefully, she’ll start work on another film soon. As for Channing Tatum, he’s gone from being typecast to proving he can act in a multitude of different roles, so he might just surprise everyone again.

42% of Canadian Households Have Cut Traditional TV in Favor of Streaming Services

By the end of 2024, 42% of Canadian households had ditched traditional television providers in favor of streaming platforms. Experts predict that by the end of 2026, half of all Canadian households will have completely abandoned traditional TV broadcasting for streaming services. This data comes from the annual Couch Potato Report, published by Convergence Research and reported by the Montreal Gazette.

The study highlights the rapid rise in streaming popularity—over 80% of Canadian households already subscribe to at least one streaming service. Meanwhile, 70% of families still combine traditional TV with one or more streaming platforms.

Last year alone, 2.6% of Canadian TV subscribers canceled their services, leading to a 3% revenue decline for traditional television providers. Their total revenue stood at $7.2 billion, and analysts predict this downward trend will continue through 2026.

In contrast, subscription revenue for streaming services in Canada saw a significant 14% increase in 2023, reaching $3.73 billion. This number is expected to grow to $4.24 billion by 2025.

"Netflix, Amazon, and Apple remain the dominant alternatives. That’s where content is now concentrated," said Convergence Research president Bram Eiley.

The growing popularity of streaming continues despite rising costs—subscription prices among the top 10 providers increased by 12% last year. The average Canadian household now pays for approximately 2.5 streaming platforms.

The study also found that Canadians are making "substantial" savings with ad-supported streaming packages. Subscribers to these plans pay an average of 42% less than those opting for premium, ad-free subscriptions.

Eiley noted that the shift away from traditional television in Canada is happening more gradually than in the U.S., where only 40% of households still subscribe to traditional TV providers. By 2026, that number is projected to drop to just 25%.

One factor slowing the transition to streaming in Canada is the country’s steady influx of immigrants, which contributes to population growth and sustains demand for traditional television services.

Canada’s television industry is facing significant challenges, prompting calls for regulatory reform. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) held 15 days of hearings last year to discuss updating broadcasting regulations.

These consultations were initiated in response to the Online Streaming Act, which received royal assent in April 2024. The law aims to modernize federal regulations, requiring digital platforms to support and promote Canadian content.

Major Canadian broadcasters and telecom giants—such as Rogers Communications Inc., BCE Inc., Telus Corp., and Quebecor Inc.—have urged the CRTC to revise regulations to address the loss of subscribers and revenue to international streaming services.

Streaming platforms, however, largely oppose additional financial obligations. Netflix, for instance, has argued that the CRTC should acknowledge its existing contributions to Canada’s broadcasting industry and reject proposals for extra payments.

The CRTC plans to finalize and implement its updated regulatory framework by the end of this year.

According to Eiley, the ongoing growth of streaming is unsurprising given the vast array of options available to Canadians, including numerous niche platforms.

"It’s not just the big players. There are specialized services for movies, sports, horror—streaming offers a huge variety," he concluded.

Amid these shifts in Canada’s TV landscape, it's worth noting that the Ukrainian-Canadian team at eQualitie recently launched a new satellite channel, eQtv, dedicated to cybersecurity and technology. This project demonstrates that despite the overall decline of traditional TV, niche channels remain relevant—particularly in tech-related sectors.