Arcom to implement rapid IP blocking to combat IPTV piracy in France

French audiovisual regulator Arcom is implementing new measures to combat illegal IPTV services, aiming to enable the blocking of pirate streams within minutes by 2027. Following successful tests during major sporting events like Roland-Garros and the World Cup, the regulator has begun targeting 139 IP addresses associated with illegal Champions League broadcasts.

While traditional illegal streaming has decreased by 70% since 2022, illegal IPTV usage in French households has risen to 7%. To address this, new legislation allows rights holders to request that telecommunications operators cut pirate streams directly, bypassing the lengthy administrative validation process previously required by Arcom.

Major broadcasters, including Canal+, DAZN, and BeIN Sports, are actively supporting these measures to protect their investments. The shift toward IP-based blocking aims to prevent networks from reconfiguring themselves in a matter of hours, though concerns remain regarding the potential for accidental blocking of legitimate sites.