Sky has issued a fresh warning to those using illegal streaming devices as the new Premier League season gets underway.
The 2026/27 Premier League season kicked off on Friday (August 21), with defending champions Arsenal beating Coventry 3-0.
Premier League matches can be watched in full in the UK on Sky Sports and TNT Sports, with highlights available on the BBC.
Both Sky and TNT Sports require subscriptions.
Head to NOW to get a pass ahead of the return of the Premier League! https://t.co/qDp4gOFoML 📲 pic.twitter.com/WpR9wt8FLq
— Sky Sports (@SkySports) August 21, 2026
Yet so-called ‘dodgy’ Fire Sticks and other modified streaming boxes can offer unauthorised access to premium content from Sky, Netflix, Disney+ and TNT Sports for free.
The use of these devices is a "serious crime", and police forces across the UK and Ireland, as well as organisations including Crimestoppers and the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT), have been attempting to stamp them out.
People who access illegal TV streaming services are potentially liable to prosecution for criminal offences, including under Section 11 of the Fraud Act 2006.
UK pub owner fined £5,500 for illegal Sky broadcasts
Sky Sports is available to licensed premises in the UK only through a commercial viewing agreement with Sky Business.
Businesses showing Sky broadcasts without one risk criminal prosecution, financial penalties and possible civil action.
Earlier this month (August 10), the licensee of the Sneyd Arms in Stoke-on-Trent, Mr Malcolm Rhead, was found guilty of two offences concerning the dishonest broadcast of Sky-televised programming.
He had shown Sky Sports football matches intending to avoid the commercial subscription charge required in licensed premises.
Mr Rhead was ordered to pay a total of £5,535.70 in fines and costs.
FACT Investigations Manager, Nick Sumner, said: “Showing Sky Sports in a commercial venue without the correct agreement is illegal and unfair to the many pubs and clubs that pay legitimately.
“This outcome demonstrates that licensees who attempt to avoid the proper subscription charges can face prosecution and financial penalties. FACT will continue to work with Sky Business to identify infringements and take action.”
A Prescot man was also recently handed a 32-month sentence, suspended for three years, for using an illegal streaming service.
Craig Austin, 38, from Whiston, was caught using Ozzy Streams - an illegal IPTV service offering unauthorised access to content belonging to Sky, TNT Sports, and the Premier League.
Mr Austin pleaded guilty in July to three counts of making or supplying an article for use in fraud and one count of acquiring, using, or possessing criminal property relating to assets and profits from the illegal operation.
Along with the suspended sentence, Austin is required to participate in rehabilitation activities and to carry out 150 hours of unpaid community service*.*
Those caught using or selling a 'dodgy' fire stick/box and streaming premium content without paying are in breach of Section 11 of the Fraud Act 2006.
(Image: Getty Images)
Sky issues fresh warning against use of illegal streaming devices
Sky has now issued a fresh warning to those using illegal streaming devices in the UK.
Head of Compliance (Commercial Anti-Piracy) at Sky Business, Sara Stewart, said: “Pubs and licensed venues invest in Sky Sports because live sport is an important part of the experience they offer their customers.
"Illegal screenings undermine those businesses and the value of the content itself.
“We work closely with FACT to protect legitimate customers and take action against venues that show Sky Sports without the correct commercial viewing agreement.”
The dangers of using illegal streaming devices
"Illegal streaming services are increasingly operated by sophisticated criminal networks, often involved in other types of crime," BeStreamWise explained.
Meaning those who use illegal streaming devices run the risk of "letting criminals in", resulting in:
- Viruses and malware
- ID theft, scams, and fraud
- Inappropriate content
Around 39% of illegal streamers in the UK have suffered financial losses due to cybercrime linked to piracy, according to BeStreamWise.
The average amount stolen through illegal streaming is £1,680, while one in ten have lost more than £5,000.
What is the penalty if caught with a 'dodgy' Fire TV Stick?
Not only can the use of illegal streaming devices leave users open to ID theft, fraud, and viruses, but it can also result in fines and jail time.
Those caught using or selling a 'dodgy' fire stick/box and streaming premium content without paying are in breach of Section 11 of the Fraud Act 2006.
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It says a person will be in breach if they obtain services "without any payment having been made for or in respect of them or without payment having been made in full".
A person found guilty of this kind of offence could be fined or face a jail sentence of up to five years.
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