Kodi SHUTDOWN - Arrests and legal threats set to stop users watching illegal streams

[bsaambl]

KODI users face more issues watching illegal streams as another popular add-on service closes its doors over current legal climate.

Kodi’s rise in popularity appears to show no signs of stopping.

The online TV player is now thought to be being used in over in three million UK homes and, with a recent Express.co.uk poll revealing people simply don’t want to pay for premium channels, this number is set to grow further.

The rising cost of premium television subscriptions including Sky TV and BT TV is the primary reason people chose to adopt Kodi Boxes.

Almost 6,000 people took part in the online survey, which found that almost two-thirds of respondents (58 per cent) streamed content on Kodi because “Sky and BT TV have become too expensive”.

The Kodi software is not illegal but the open source platform can easily be adapted and changed with third-party add-ons which then allow access to pirated and illegal content.

It’s these add-ons which have caught the attention of the law and it seems a recent crackdown is having the desired effect.

With the threat of legal action and risk arrest looming, many add-on developers simply don’t want to take the risk and are now turning their backs on Kodi.

In recent months a number of add-ons have closed their doors including the popular Navi-X service.

Speaking about the decision the Navi-X team revealed in a statement: "Every good thing must come to an end. 

"After ten years of successful operation, Navi-X has sadly being discontinued.

"The main reason why the decision was made to discontinue the Navi-X service is the current legal climate surrounding Kodi.”

Now it seems another add-on has had enough and is closing its digital doors.

According to TorrentFreak, the MetalKettle add-on has become hugely popular but its creators have revealed they simply don’t want to take the risk of facing legal action.

Speaking about the closure, MetalKettle said: “Over the past year or so Kodi has become more mainstream and public weve all seen the actions of others become highlighted legally, with authorities determined to target 3rd party addons making traction. 

“This has eventually caused me to consider ‘what if?’ – the result of which never ends well in my mind,”

“With all this said I have decided to actively give up 3rd party addon development (at least for the time being) and concentrate on being a husband and father.”

This news comes as a number of add-on developers face legal action in the US.

The crackdown on illegal Kodi streams has also intensified in the UK with the recent Premier League block stopping thousands of streams being beamed into homes illegally.

In fact, it's thought that within minutes of Premier League streams going live, many fans who are attempting to watch them are almost instantly blocked.

Speaking to the BBC, Premier League Director of Legal Services, Kevin Plumb said: “This blocking order is a game-changer in our efforts to tackle the supply and use of illicit streams of our content.”

“It will allow us to quickly and effectively block and disrupt the illegal broadcast of Premier League football via any means, including so called 'pre-loaded Kodi boxes.

“The protection of our copyright, and the investment made by our broadcast partners, is hugely important to the Premier League and the future health of English football.”