For decades, TV content piracy in Greece followed technological evolution: from 90s VHS tapes with pirated movies and shows, to CDs and DVDs passed hand-to-hand in neighborhoods, and later to the first hacked software for decoders. Anything that could unlock a signal or offer entertainment for free always found a willing audience.

In the streaming and IPTV era, piracy changed form – but not substance. And as technology became more complex, so did the pirates’ methods. This culminated recently in one of the most organized and profitable illegal TV content distribution networks ever discovered in Greece, uncovered by authorities in Patras.

This network, operating both domestically and internationally, generated illegal profits of around €25 million, causing an estimated €100 million in damages to major subscription platforms.

According to the newspaper “Proto Thema”, with orders from judicial and financial authorities, the accounts and assets of the main suspects are now frozen, while the investigation continues. Officials involved in the probe describe this as one of the largest piracy networks in Greece, as stricter regulations, intensified checks, and more affordable legal options are gradually reducing piracy.

The dismantling of this network brings back to light the evolving history of piracy in Greece – from handmade tapes of past decades to today’s digital operations involving millions of euros, cryptocurrency, and international distribution systems.

The Patras Network

According to investigative findings, the group allegedly made illegal profits totaling €24.9 million, while causing an estimated €99.6 million in damages to broadcasters and legitimate content providers.

The case has reached the courts, with suspects referred to the Athens Three-Member Court of Felony Appeals. The scale and organization of the operation are striking. Findings from the Anti-Money Laundering Authority reveal the network’s sophistication and structured operation.

According to the indictment and an order from Athens Investigating Judge Andreas Athanasiou, members acted in coordination with hierarchy and defined roles. “Proto Thema” reveals the group had at least 7,000 customers-subscribers who paid significantly less than official subscription rates. The group established a reseller network and extensive financial activity to launder profits from their illegal operations.

The alleged leader, D.R., and his deputy, P.T., oversaw the other suspects, who acted as resellers, installers, or collectors. The structure resembled a corporate setup with clear roles and long-term planning.

Methodology and Operation

Their method was simple yet highly effective: they sold specialized devices—so-called “black boxes”—and software to grant illegal access to subscription TV platforms. Customers paid the group directly—subscriptions deposited into the suspects’ now-frozen accounts. Devices were installed professionally in homes with customer support, mimicking legitimate service providers.

Demand surged during major sports events like Greek league derbies and international tournaments. Middlemen’s phones rang non-stop, and orders for “black boxes” multiplied. Entire apartment blocks joined in to watch premium content for free. Saturday night pirated viewing with pizza became a neighborhood ritual.

Bank data analysis revealed significant amounts were invested in financial products, gambling sites, or hidden in safety deposit boxes—now inaccessible due to court orders. Authorities also discovered attempts to hide profits through cash use, third-party transactions, and fake purchases. International transfers were also identified.

The Anti-Money Laundering Authority found strong evidence of money laundering via blending illegal with legal assets. This led to orders freezing accounts, assets, and banning asset transfers. Both individual and joint accounts, as well as safety deposit boxes, were frozen to preserve evidence.

Accounts belonging to P.M., D.P., G.A., P.P., F.P., and A.T.—used for illegal transactions—were specifically targeted. The network allegedly operated for years, moving money across accounts to obscure the origin of funds. According to the massive case file, suspects mixed these with clean funds to reintroduce them into the financial system.

So far, over 18 suspects have been indicted and referred to court, with more expected as the main investigation continues.

Alliance and Fines

Meanwhile, the joint strategy of subscription content providers is showing results. The alliance between Cosmote TV and Nova to co-broadcast sports channels led to a rise in legitimate subscriptions and a notable drop in pirate connections.

For the first time, consumers could access all major games with a single subscription, reducing the demand for illegal services.

This trend is reinforced by stricter penalties for accessing subscription content without payment and ongoing arrests by law enforcement. Raids across the country lead to daily equipment seizures and arrests of both distributors and end-users.

New legislation imposes steep fines:

• From €750 for home use,
• €1,500 for public display (e.g., cafes, hotels),
• And up to €5,000 when commercial benefit is involved.
  Repeat offenders face double the fines, increasing deterrence.

According to market sources, these measures are already having an effect. More users are abandoning pirated services, fearing legal consequences.

Piracy in Greece: A History

The first signs of piracy emerged in the 1980s during analog TV days, when state channels signed off at midnight and screens went dark—until someone in the neighborhood would start broadcasting a movie, music video, or even adult content. These were the “TV pirates.”

Using expensive gear—amplifiers, VHS decks, and jamming antennas—amateur broadcasters hijacked frequencies to air their own content. The phenomenon exploded in the mid-1980s. Authorities would quickly locate these illegal signals, and staying undetected was a matter of survival for pirates. Some managed to grow their viewership and evolve into local TV stations.

With the arrival of private TV in 1989, the landscape changed, but piracy continued. By the mid-1990s, nearly 180 unauthorized channels were broadcasting without creator permissions.

According to global reports, Greece had become one of the world’s top violators of intellectual property rights. The U.S. exerted pressure to curb piracy, and although there was an attempt to legalize just 20 private stations, the plan failed.

Digital Era

By the late 1990s, piracy went digital. The analog signals gave way to digital satellite TV. In 1999, Nova launched the first digital subscription service in Greece. With this shift came a new form of piracy: “black boxes”—decoders and software allowing thousands to watch premium TV for free.

During the 2000s, especially post-2010, IPTV platforms and online piracy kits replaced black boxes. With a remote, an app, or a TV box, users accessed dozens of channels at rock-bottom prices. The legal industry suffered massive losses. It’s estimated that over 900,000 households in Greece at some point watched pirated subscription content, depriving the market of hundreds of millions of euros.

Piracy was no longer a backroom crime—it became a business with resellers, tech support, and distribution lines. In response, the government and providers introduced new laws, arrests, and fines to dismantle piracy networks.