More than a third of Premier League football fans say they regularly watch matches live online via unofficial streams, according to a BBC survey. 47% of fans have watched a match through an unofficial provider at least once in the past.

Younger fans (aged 18-34) are considerably more likely than their older counterparts to say they stream live football matches online through an unofficial provider - 65% do so at least once a month compared to 33% of 35-54 year olds and 13% of those aged 55+.

The main reasons include a friend/family member doing it and they just watch; the quality of the stream; and because sports TV packages are considered not good value for money.

Last season saw the biggest drop in live Premier League TV viewing figures for seven years, hitting both Sky and BT. Sky saw a 14% drop, while viewing of BT channels dropped by 2%.

A Premier League spokesman said: "Fans should know that these pre-loaded boxes enable pirate broadcasts of Premier League football, and other popular content, and are illegal. People who supply them have been jailed or ordered to pay significant financial penalties.

"We are increasingly seeing prominent apps and add-ons being closed down as the law catches up with them, leading to consumers being out of pocket."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40483486

Query - it is illegal to supply a stream, but is it illegal to watch it (and not record it)? And how does Cricfree continue to broadcast illegal streams?