MB Streams founder jailed 38 months for illegal Premier League Firestick service

Michael Barrow, who ran the MB Streams service with over 2,000 subscribers, was sentenced to three years and two months at Swansea Crown Court.

Swansea man jailed for running illegal Premier League streaming service

Michael Barrow has been sentenced to three years and two months in prison after pleading guilty to three Fraud Act offences connected to his illegal streaming operation, the Daily Express reports. Barrow was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court following a case brought by the Premier League.

Barrow founded MB Streams, a channel broadcasting top-flight Premier League fixtures through pre-loaded Amazon Firesticks. The service attracted more than 2,000 subscribers and generated over £200,000 in revenue before it was shut down.

Despite having received prior warnings to cease his activity, Barrow continued operating and took deliberate steps to avoid detection. He instructed customers to disguise their bank transfers as purchases of retro football kits to mask payments to the service.

The prosecution was initiated by the Premier League and supported by FACT — the Federation Against Copyright Theft — and the TARIAN Regional Organised Crime Unit's Economic Crime Team in south Wales.

Premier League Director of Legal – Enforcement Stefan Sergot said the outcome underlined the consequences awaiting those who supply illegal streaming services. "The decision to ignore clear warnings only compounded the seriousness of the offending, and this is reflected in the sentence handed down today," Sergot said.

Sergot added that illegal streaming carries risks beyond intellectual property theft. "Illegal streaming is often linked to wider criminal activity and can expose fans to serious risks, including fraud, malware and identity theft," he said. He noted that broadcast rights revenue underpins the Premier League's financial support across the football pyramid and that the organisation would continue working with FACT and law enforcement to pursue illegal operators.

Kieron Sharp, Chairman of FACT, described MB Streams as a deliberate and sustained criminal operation. "Barrow was given a clear warning to stop his illegal activity but instead chose to continue supplying devices and services that enabled people to access paid-for content unlawfully," Sharp said.

Sharp rejected the notion that illegal streaming is a victimless offence. "It damages the creative industries, undermines legitimate broadcasters, sports rights holders and service providers, and exposes users to serious risks, including fraud, malware and criminal exploitation," he said. FACT, he added, works alongside police forces, regional organised crime units and rights holders to identify and disrupt illegal streaming networks.

The case is among the most significant custodial sentences imposed on an individual running an illegal streaming operation in the UK. Sharp said the outcome carries a broader warning: "People who supply modified devices or illegal IPTV services can and will face serious criminal consequences."

Source: Daily Express