Discovery and arrests follow 6-month probe by the police, following complaint filed by OSN
Dubai, UAE: OSN, the region’s leading entertainment network, has welcomed news of a major blow to criminals stealing its content in Kuwait.
According to Kuwait’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID), three Indian men have been arrested after successful raids in a residential area of Salmiya, where they had been operating a sophisticated illegal cable network.
Detectives found dozens of illegal Dish TV India satellite set-top-boxes as well as Pirated OSN hardware that were being used to illegally distribute content to 10,000 subscribers over a 15 kilometre area.
The discovery of the illegal cable network in the country followed a six-month investigation by the police after OSN’s dedicated Content Protection team filed a complaint with the Kuwait Ministry of Interior, CID and Ministry of Communications.
OSN Chief Legal Officer, Sophie Moloney, said: “I congratulate the Kuwaiti authorities for this successful operation against content piracy. We are very grateful they have put a stop to this huge illegal cable network, that was costing us millions of dollars in lost revenue.”
Kuwait CID estimate those operating the illegal network were earning approximately 70,000 Kuwaiti Dinar (US$235,000) per month from their illegal services.
The arrested now face charges of money laundering and misuse of Kuwait’s telecommunications infrastructure.
Across the region, OSN is fighting TV piracy, which bleeds state exchequers and adversely impacts the creative industry. Successful raids have been held in various countries leading to the crackdown of illegal operations. OSN urges the people not to be duped by illegal operators and to support the concerted fight against content piracy.
About OSN:
OSN is the region’s leading entertainment network with the rights to broadcast into 24 countries across the MENA. The company is owned and operated by Panther Media Group, registered in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and has two shareholders, KIPCO and the Mawarid Group Limited.
OSN has a history of providing exceptional value for customers with its focus on exclusive and in-demand content, and innovative digital platforms for anywhere, anytime access.
With over 150 channels, OSN’s strength is its unbeatable range of exclusive programming led by its long-term partnerships with studio majors including Disney, HBO, NBC Universal, Fox, Paramount, MGM, Sony, DreamWorks and Warner Brothers.
65 HD channels mean OSN is the home for premium and nowhere-else content in Arabic, English, Filipino and South Asian languages. OSN broadcasts the latest content at the same minute as in the US, including popular series, blockbuster movies, and the best sports events. In addition, OSN also provides entertainment content for devices such as laptops, tablets and mobile phones via its OSN Play, online and mobile app entertainment platform, WAVO, offering movies, series and sports on the go.
OSN has been at the forefront of digital technology innovation in the Middle East introducing the first Digital Video Recorder HD, OSN Play, an online TV platform, an internet-enabled satellite receiver and recorder and OSN on Demand, the region’s first VOD service.
OSN also expanded its language services when it acquired Pehla Media & Entertainment, offering around forty channels in a variety of South Asian languages in the MENA region, with content such as Bollywood movies and cricket, including the ICC Cricket World Cup.
OSN’s ambition is to deliver entertainment everywhere for everyone, which is informed by the company’s three key pillars: A customer-first approach, unrivalled exclusive content and unbeatable value.
