"TV show piracy driven by lack of access to new programmes"

Almost half of British people believe that the lack of legitimate access to new television shows from other countries is fuelling online piracy, new research has revealed.



The survey, conducted by Red Bee Media as part of its Tomorrow Calling research programme, found that 46% of respondents feel that illegal downloading would be "greatly reduced" if it was possible to pay to watch overseas TV series without having to wait for a UK release date.

More than half (56%) of people surveyed said that television shows should be released at the same time all over the world, with 57% thinking the same for films.

British consumers are prepared to pay to watch content, with 63% saying they will spend the same on television in the future, but 20% intending to spend more.

The timing of hit new TV shows, particularly those from the US, is often cited as a driver for piracy, with consumers seeking illegal ways to watch programmes instead of waiting for them to become available legitimately.

A number of measures have been taken to tackle the problem, such as Sky1 showing the final ever episode of Lost in May 2010 at the same time as the US.