Photocall, a large unlicensed streaming platform, has been taken offline following an operation involving the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment and the sports media company DAZN. The service offered access to more than one thousand television channels across sixty countries, including premium sports content such as MotoGP, the NFL, the NHL and international tennis events. Traffic estimates indicate that it received about 26 million visits per year. A significant portion of its audience came from Spain, with notable user bases in Mexico, Germany, Italy and the United States.
According to enforcement groups, Photocall provided access to copyrighted broadcasts without authorisation from rights holders. The platform operated through a familiar model that distributes live channels and sports events to viewers who bypass subscription fees. Investigators said the case formed part of a broader international effort targeting illegal streaming networks. Europol identified dozens of related sites through the operation and referred additional illegal IPTV services for further review by national authorities. These actions reflect increasing pressure on platforms that generate substantial digital traffic without licensing agreements.
Enforcement teams said that Photocall’s operators agreed to deactivate the platform and transfer associated domains to industry groups. Users attempting to access the service are now redirected to information pages that promote legal streaming options. Analysts said this type of domain transfer is a common tactic that disrupts the visibility and reach of illicit platforms. They added that coordinated action across several organisations strengthened the investigation by linking infrastructure used by multiple piracy services.
Investigators also noted that illegal streaming networks often depend on complex payment systems to maintain revenue. Recent cases have shown connections between piracy operations and large volumes of cryptocurrency transactions. These links allow international groups to sustain operations across multiple jurisdictions. Disruption of financial channels is increasingly viewed as an effective method to weaken the underlying business model. Rights holders argue that removing these channels reduces the incentive for operators to rebuild services under new domains.
The case highlights challenges for media companies that invest in content production and distribution rights. Unlicensed platforms undermine these investments by diverting audiences to free alternatives that may expose viewers to security risks. Users of such services face potential exposure to malware, fraudulent advertisements or data harvesting practices. Security specialists say that illegal streaming sites frequently rely on aggressive advertising networks that may direct users to harmful content. The shutdown of Photocall is therefore positioned as both an intellectual property victory and a user safety measure.
Industry observers expect continued enforcement activity as streaming piracy remains widespread. The combination of rapid domain changes, anonymous payments, and global hosting makes these networks difficult to eliminate. However, international coordination has gained momentum as agencies share intelligence and track patterns across platforms. Analysts say that the Photocall case will serve as a reference point for future investigations that aim to identify operators quickly and disrupt their infrastructure before they expand.