Streams

• Popular streamer IShowSpeed plans to cover every single match of the Round of 32 during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. • The announcement was shared via the fan account IShowSpeedHQ on X, detailing his ambition to live stream all 16 matches of the knockout stage. • This project represents one of the streamer's largest football-related undertakings to date, leveraging his massive global audience to engage with the tournament.

• The BBC and ITV have confirmed their broadcasting schedules and live stream arrangements for the 2026 World Cup. • The coverage will include every match of the tournament, with a specific focus on England's fixtures and the knockout stages. • This coordination ensures comprehensive free-to-air access for viewers in the UK via traditional television and digital platforms.

• The U.S. Department of Justice has seized over 400 web domains used to illegally stream matches for the 2026 World Cup. • This action follows a separate operation by the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment and three other groups that shut down 44 domains linked to a piracy ring generating 950 million annual views. • These illegal services heavily targeted viewers in Latin America, specifically Mexico and Colombia, as well as audiences in Spain and the United States.

• The US Justice Department seized 400 domains used for illegal streaming of the 2026 World Cup, marking a massive escalation in anti-piracy efforts. • This operation is five times larger than "Operation Offsides," which targeted 78 domains during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. • Investigators traced the infrastructure to servers in Peru and Bulgaria, with additional takedowns occurring in Croatia, Romania, Poland, and Colombia.

• The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, marking a historic expansion of the tournament. • For the first time in the competition's history, the field will grow to include 48 teams, significantly increasing the number of matches. • This expansion represents the largest-ever scale for the global football event, heightening its international reach and competitive scope.

• J-pop streaming in South Korea has surged by 30%, fueled by a rising demand for Japanese artists, anime soundtracks, and live concert experiences. • Yusuke Nakagawa of Aobisystem notes that direct exposure on Korean music shows, such as appearances by Cutie Street, triggers immediate global interest, including growth in markets like India. • This trend signifies a shift in the music industry where traditional cultural and geographic boundaries dividing East Asian markets are increasingly dissolving.

• The European Copyright Society published a paper affirming that performer equitable remuneration (ER) for streaming is a "lawful mechanism" under EU copyright law. • This position follows Belgium's recent introduction of an ER right and a corresponding legal challenge attempting to block its implementation. • The society's findings reject arguments against the right, asserting that performers are legally entitled to fair compensation from streaming services.