Streaming content illegally might be cheaper than signing up for expensive premium TV, but watching online comes with "significant consequences." That's the latest warning from Sky, who recently targeted a provider of online content in a bid to shut down the unofficial streams he was providing to UK homes.In fact, it's thought that during a single world championship boxing match broadcast by Sky in February 2018, Gary McNally from Acocks Green Birmingham, claimed to have over 2,000 subscribers to his illegal service.That clearly caught the attention of Sky's legal team and, with the help of the West Midlands Police, McNally was found to be providing thousands of consumers with Sky Entertainment, Sky Sports and Sky Movie channels at vastly reduced prices.During the search of his property, a large amount of digital equipment, including laptops, hard drives and NOW TV devices, were discovered and seized - meaning those who had signed up for his services were left blocked from watching content.McNally pleaded guilty at Birmingham Crown Court and has now been sentenced to two years and nine months in jail for offences related to creating and operating an illegal streaming service.Netflix: Why is the streaming giant losing viewers? "Today’s sentencing highlights the significant consequences that can arise for those that get involved in illegally streaming content," said Matt Hibbert, Group Director of Anti-Piracy at Sky."We are grateful to the West Midlands Police for acting so robustly to take down a highly sophisticated illegal streaming operation."We will continue to work with law enforcement to protect our content and help keep consumers safe from criminal piracy networks."And a spokesperson for West Midlands Police added: "We will work with partners wherever possible to disrupt criminal activity, and we hope this case sends a warning message to anyone involved in this kind of criminal enterprise.” Trending SUBSCRIBE Invalid emailWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you.This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding.
You can unsubscribe at any time.Read our Privacy PolicyThis latest raid comes after more crackdowns across the whole UK have taken swathes of online streams offline.One seller from Halifax, has also been handed a two-year prison sentence for selling dodgy devices over an 18-month period.Although it's unlikely that arrests or raids will ever be made on those using modified devices to watch Sky streams, there are still plenty of dangers when using them.These gadgets can come laced with malware and there aren't any parental blocks which means younger members of the family can be exposed to inappropriate content.Premium services such as Sky and Disney+ aren't cheap but they won't ever put the user in any danger.
