Recent figures suggest a whopping 38 million people are now using the Kodi TV player to watch content online.
Kodi is totally legal but recent news from the Motion Picture Association of America has revealed that around 70 per cent of all Kodi users still stream content illegally via add-ons.
Watching premium content without a subscription can land users with a hefty fine or even the threat of a jail term but new stats may reveal why so many people continue to take that risk.
Research by price comparison site, finder.com, reveals TV fans in the UK spend a whopping £303.16 million a month on TV streaming services including Netflix, Amazon Prime, Now TV and Hayu.
According to a survey of 2,000 UK adults, over 17 million Brits (41.1 per cent) are subscribed to a TV streaming service with it costing an estimated £17.75 per month – that’s £213 per year.
When it comes to TV viewing habits, millennials are the most addicted generation with one in 10 (11.8 per cent) subscribing to over three services, costing them over £240 per year.
Jon Ostler, CEO of finder.com UK said: “TV streaming is becoming the norm for many households across the UK.
“But with seamingly cheap monthly costs, it can be easy to spend more than you realise if you sign up to several providers.
“Before signing up to a subscription service, make sure you choose the right one for you.
“Also make sure you’re getting the best value from your subscription; for rolling month contracts you’re perfectly within your right to cancel it for months that you’re going to be away or too busy to catch up on your binge-watching.”
HERE’S WHAT EACH SERVICE COSTS (per month)
Amazon Prime video – £7.99
Netflix – Basic £5.99 • Standard £7.99 • Premium • £9.99
Now TV (Currenty on sale) – Entertainment Pass £19.99 • Sky Cinema £19.99 • Sky Sports £36.99 per month
Hayu – £3.99
With some people spending over £200 a year on subscriptions it’s no wonder Kodi has caught the attention of the public.
In fact a recent survey by Express.co.uk revealed many people use illegal add-ons because subscription prices are too high.
According to the research, those who use nefarious methods to tune-in to premium content, including popular television dramas and live sport coverage, would return to subscriptions with the likes of Sky, Virgin Media and BT if they cost less money.
Millennials were the most likely to return to legal methods of watching television, movies and sport with some 79.77 per cent pledging to ditch streaming, vs 68.25 per cent of Baby Boomers and 73.91 per cent of Gen X.
It’s worth rembering that using Kodi add-ons can mean you are breaking the law and users should always be consider the consequence before access content without permission.