11 million internet users who, in 2023, defy the prohibitions to watch movies, series, or matches, without ever pulling out their credit card. This is the figure that makes Hadopi grind its teeth. Illegal download sites resist the blocking efforts, while legal platforms have never been more numerous.
Why audiovisual piracy remains entrenched in French digital habits
Piracy continues, but it has taken on new forms. By 2025, France will have 7.7 million audiovisual piracy enthusiasts, far from the 13 million recorded in 2016. This 34% drop over four years can be explained by stricter controls and the increasing number of blocks. That said, the phenomenon refuses to disappear. Illegal streaming, IPTV offers, and the use of VPNs to bypass barriers continue to fuel this practice.
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In France, sports and cultural content occupy the top spot among piracy enthusiasts. Streaming has taken precedence, leaving illegal downloading to more targeted enthusiasts. One example illustrates this resistance well: the gktorrent site in France still attracts a crowd of visitors. Moreover, 80% of illicit traffic is concentrated on just twenty platforms, and 14% of users are responsible for nearly half of the total volume of illegal access.
Tools and behaviors are evolving, but the motivation remains strong. A handful of very active internet users drive piracy, continuing to distribute and share movies, series, or sporting events. Even though the total user base is declining, the network effect and the sophistication of illegal solutions keep the system afloat. Added to this is the weariness faced with the jungle of official offers and the increasing number of subscriptions needed to access all content.
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What motivations still drive internet users towards illegal downloading?
The avalanche of legal streaming services has reshaped the landscape, without removing all obstacles. Given the dispersion of catalogs, watching a specific movie sometimes requires juggling multiple subscriptions. The bill can quickly add up, especially as inflation weighs heavily and account sharing becomes rarer.
The omnipresent advertising on certain platforms also discourages the less patient. Many internet users then choose the simplest route: pirate sites, devoid of limitations, offer direct and varied access. According to the latest reports, traffic to these sites surged by 35% between 2020 and 2023, reaching 141 billion visits worldwide. Sports piracy is also booming. Football or rugby, whose official broadcasts remain scattered and expensive, are among the drivers of this increase.
Here are some data to illustrate these motivations:
- 54% of illegally downloaded films originate from the United States, reflecting a demand for new releases or titles inaccessible in France.
- However, nearly half of the pirated series are offered for free on French television.
The growing frustration of users weighs heavily in the balance. When legal access becomes complicated or too expensive, when the experience leaves much to be desired, many opt for a parallel solution, which is often more suited to their cultural and economic expectations.
Between risks, economic stakes, and legal alternatives: a panorama of the consequences of piracy
Illegal downloading is not limited to the allure of free content. The culture and sports industry suffers significant losses: every year, 1.5 billion euros are lost, including 300 million for the sports sector alone. Creators see their revenues reduced, productions are hindered, and rights holders must deal with uncertain returns. Despite recent declines, piracy still affects millions of French people: 7.7 million expected in 2025, compared to 11.7 million four years ago.
Authorities are responding with new strategies. Arcom is refining its methods: real-time technical blocks, legal actions, and more than 12,600 domain names related to the illegal broadcasting of sporting events have been removed since 2022. Mirror sites are also targeted, with 2,583 of them neutralized. This response relies on analysis and cooperation with ALPA, CNC, and Médiamétrie, to closely align with internet users’ habits.
At the same time, legal platforms are adjusting. Catalogs are expanding, subscriptions are becoming more flexible, and the user experience is being refined. Despite this, piracy remains highly concentrated: the vast majority of illegal usage involves only a handful of players, and 14% of users alone generate nearly half of the pirated volume. The challenge remains: to offer a smooth, universal, and affordable experience to deter users from straying from the beaten path.
If illegal downloading persists, it reveals a tension between cultural rights, tight budgets, and digital ease. It is impossible today to turn the page without reinventing how everyone accesses works: the day choosing a movie no longer rhymes with frustration or extra cost, perhaps piracy will become the exception rather than the rule.