The DAZN platform, which is used for live sports broadcasts, has implemented restrictions on a number of streaming websites and IPTV systems.
DAZN, which is a streaming platform that is available in more than 200 countries, was initially founded in June of 2015. It became the home of Matchroom Boxing programs when the two firms reached an agreement in May 2018 to promote 16 fights in the United States of America during a five-year deal that was allegedly valued around 740 million pounds.
The streaming company made the announcement in June 2021 that it has entered into an additional five-year contract with Matchroom, which is operated by Eddie Hearn, a boxing promoter.
Additionally, in February of 2025, DAZN reached an agreement to provide broadcasts of boxing matches that were held at Queensberry.
DAZN is a major player across Europe and broadcasts English top-flight games in countries such as Spain and Portugal. Despite the fact that they do not have the rights to broadcast Premier League football in the United Kingdom, DAZN is a large player in Europe.
Telecompaper said that Belgian internet providers “have blocked 100 streaming websites and five IPTV platforms since 05 April due to concerns of copyright infringement.” This is despite the fact that the platform is now in the process of battling illicit streamers on the internet. The measures were implemented as a result of a court order that was acquired by the sports broadcaster DAZN and the platform that it operates, 12th Player.
This occurs as a result of a change in the legislation that was implemented in the nation in 2022, which mandated that internet service providers (ISPs) including Proximus, Telenet, Orange Belgium, and Voo to install Domain Name System blocking at their own expense.
An additional explanation is provided by Telecompaper, which states that “Internet platforms such as Cloudflare, Google, and Cisco must also comply or risk fines of EUR 100,000 per day.”
A third of Belgians between the ages of 16 and 24 are said to utilise illicit streams to watch football, which results in damages to broadcasters amounting to more than 180 million pounds a year, according to research conducted by DAZN.
During his presentation at the Business of Football Summit hosted by The Financial Times in February 2025, Tom Burrows, the head of global rights for DAZN, explained that piracy and illicit streaming were a “problem” for the broadcaster.
Burrows was quoted as saying, “We’re getting to the stage where it’s almost a crisis for the sports rights industry,” according to The Athletic; this statement was made.
However, I believe there is virtually an argument to suggest that you can no longer secure exclusive rights since piracy is so severe. Media-rights deals have been done on the basis of exclusivity in the past.
Historically, the broadcasters have been responsible for funding the financial gap that has been produced by piracy. However, I do not believe that this will continue to be the case. If we are unable to find a means to bridge this gap, it will be the sports themselves that will be negatively impacted.
xz
