Protecting Broadcast Rights

In a strategic move to safeguard the value of its broadcast rights, Italy's top-flight soccer league, Serie A, has partnered with Meta. This collaboration aims to combat the illegal live streaming of soccer matches on Facebook and Instagram. The deal grants Serie A access to Meta's advanced tools for real-time monitoring, reporting, and swift removal of unauthorized streams.

Enhanced Monitoring Tools

Under this agreement, Meta will assist Serie A in developing software that simplifies and accelerates the reporting process. TV rights constitute a significant portion of revenue for Serie A teams, including giants like Inter, AC Milan, Napoli, and Juventus.

Global Efforts Against Piracy

Online search giants and social media platforms have frequently been criticized for facilitating access to illegal live-streaming services. Serie A has secured approximately €4.5 billion ($4.7 billion) from sports streaming platform DAZN and Comcast's pay-TV unit Sky under five-year contracts valid until 2029. Serie A CEO Luigi De Siervo expressed hope that other platforms would join their efforts in this initiative.

Intensified Anti-Piracy Measures

Italy has ramped up efforts to combat online piracy, which is costing broadcasters and sports leagues globally billions of euros. Last year, Rome passed a law enabling the country's communication watchdog (AGCOM) to swiftly suppress pirate streaming channels, particularly focusing on live events, including sports. Recently, Italian police dismantled a video piracy network with over 22 million users across Europe, allegedly generating an annual turnover of €3 billion.