Piracy's Global Reach and Impact
The criminal enterprise behind this piracy ring was a complex international operation. Using a sophisticated IT system, they "captured and resold" live programming and on-demand content from major companies like sports broadcaster DAZN, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Paramount, Sky, and Disney+. Eurojust estimated that this operation, one of the world's largest illegal streaming services, generated revenues of roughly €3 billion a year and caused combined damages of more than €10 billion to the affected broadcast companies. Francesco Curcio, the criminal prosecutor leading the investigation, compared the rate of profit from these illegal activities to that of cocaine trafficking, highlighting the severity of the problem.In coordinated raids on Tuesday, almost 300 officers of Italy's postal police searched 89 sites in 15 regions of Italy. Their international counterparts also searched 14 locations in the UK, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, Romania, Croatia, and China. This was the largest operation ever conducted against audiovisual piracy in Italy or internationally.The two suspected ringleaders of the enterprise were based in the Netherlands, with another 11 people arrested in Croatia. Luigi De Siervo, the chief executive of Italy's Serie A football league, praised the shutdown as a "crucial step" in the fight against content theft. He emphasized that they are constantly battling against criminals who use sophisticated technologies to evade controls. "Piracy is not just a crime; it's a direct attack on all honest people in this country, on investments, and on the quality of content that fans and enthusiasts deserve to see," he added.Live Sports Streaming and Piracy
Live sports streaming services are particularly concerned about the impact of piracy. They estimate that it costs their industry tens of billions of dollars a year. DAZN and broadcaster beIN took action last year by backing a new global task force and working more closely with Interpol and Europol to crack down on streaming service piracy.Italy's Serie A and its broadcasters have also been pushing for stronger action against illegal streaming of games. This year, they launched a special initiative called Piracy Shield to attempt to crack down on illegal streaming of live matches in real time. Under the scheme, Italy's telecoms regulator is obliged to block any IP address reported by broadcasters as suspected of disseminating pirated signals of their games within 30 minutes. However, this initiative has been mired in controversy and accused of causing disruption by blocking unrelated sites.Piracy's Advertising and Distribution
Italian authorities say the illegal service was advertised via social media platforms like Telegram and other forums. Subscribers paid roughly €10 a month to access a full package of pirated content from major streaming services, including movies and serials, with more than 2,500 channels. During this week's raids, authorities discovered servers in Romania and Hong Kong from which signals captured from satellite television services were transmitted via the internet to subscribers throughout Europe. Nine servers were shut down on Tuesday by Italian postal police and their foreign counterparts, and additional equipment was found in the UK and the Netherlands.This long-term and widespread operation involved piracy of all types of broadcast content, not just sports. It shows the extent to which piracy has infiltrated the digital landscape and the need for continued efforts to combat it.Redemption on Family Feud Canada
The Woodman Family from Dunville, NL
The Woodman sisters became a sensation on Family Feud Canada with their hilarious antics. They left viewers in stitches and perhaps even wondering if their happy vibes were fueled by special gummies. Dallas, now a viral sensation, has been honing her Feud skills and is ready to prove to Gerry Dee that she's got it down. Meanwhile, her sisters have promised to avoid any more mistakes.
Since their first appearance, the Woodman family has become a household name. Their chaotic game and memorable moments have made them a fan favorite. Will they be able to nail it this time and bring home the prize?
The Makulkina Family from Vancouver BC
The Makulkina family is back with a new game plan. Last time, they blamed the other team for being too good and didn't quite understand the rules. But this time, they have studied the game and are ready to feud. Bohdan, in particular, has an ultimate redemption story. After not smiling during their first appearance, his family put him through an intense "Smile and Have Fun" BootCamp. Now, he's ready to shine on the big stage.
The Makulkina family's determination to do better is evident. They have worked hard to improve their game and are ready to show what they can do. Will their newfound confidence lead them to victory?
The Octeau Family from Vaudreuil-Dorion, QC
The Octeau family's redemption story began when their captain, DangerLou, proposed during a Family Feud taping. The emotional spectacle sent the team into a tailspin, but they are now back to win big and fund their dream wedding. With Mom, Marie, as their secret weapon, they are ready to take on the competition.
The Octeau family's passion and determination are inspiring. They are willing to do whatever it takes to achieve their goals and make their dream wedding a reality. Will they be able to pull it off?
The Marks Family from Pictou, NS
The Marks family is back with a new attitude. They are no longer playing the "sweet seniors" card and are determined to out-punch the competition and win the $30k prize. After three solid wins last time, they have mastered the game, but Fast Money has always slipped through their fingers. With a few homemade gifts to bribe Gerry, they are ready to prove that Maritimers are relentless.
The Marks family's determination and tenacity are impressive. They have worked hard to improve their game and are not afraid to take risks. Will their new strategy pay off and lead them to victory?
The Herbert Family from Kitchener, ON
In this "Second Chance" redemption story, family captain Jay is determined to end his losing streak. After bombing on a primetime reality show and flopping on Family Feud Canada, they are hoping the third time's the charm. One of the team's biggest hurdles is Jay's dad, Raymond, who has a habit of repeating answers. But with the help of Jay's aunt Madeline, Raymond is on a mission to find his own answers.
The Herbert family's journey to redemption is inspiring. They are willing to face their challenges and work together to improve. Will their hard work pay off and lead them to victory?
The Bruna Family from Saint-Leonard, QC
The Bruna family is back for a second chance after making history as the first-ever losers on Family Feud Canada. Nikola's infamous "lewd" answer and other memorable moments have made them a part of the show's lore. But now, they are ready to prove that they can do better.
The Bruna family's determination to redeem themselves is evident. They have learned from their mistakes and are ready to show that they have what it takes to win. Will they be able to erase their past and make a name for themselves?
The Pauls Family from Hamilton, ON
In their Family Feud Canada debut, the Pauls family became a viral sensation thanks to their cosmic confusion. But now, they are back for redemption, hoping to reclaim their dignity and get an apology from Gerry. With the help of their daughter and a children's book, they are determined to prove that they are not as clueless as they seemed.
The Pauls family's journey to redemption is a heartwarming one. They have faced ridicule and criticism, but they are not giving up. Will their determination lead them to victory and earn them the respect they deserve?
The Faga Family from Mississauga, ON
The Faga family is back for redemption after being crushed by the Cunningham family and their mascot. Losing to a "stuffed rat" was a bitter pill to swallow, but they are now ready for revenge. With their entire extended family behind them, they are determined to prove themselves as champions.
The Faga family's determination and resilience are inspiring. They have not let their past defeat hold them back and are ready to fight for victory. Will they be able to silence the ridicule and become Family Feud Canada champions?
The Alconcel Family from Scarborough, ON
The Alconcel family is back to redeem themselves after bringing shame to their community. Jeff, the "Filipino cowboy," became a local legend but was unable to erase the taste of defeat. Now, he is fired up to prove that he is "real country" and represent Scarborough with pride.
The Alconcel family's passion and determination are contagious. They are not afraid to face their past mistakes and are ready to make a comeback. Will they be able to redeem themselves and become a source of pride for their community?
Family Feud Canada is BACK Monday December 30th, 2024 at 7:30 pm (7:00NT) on CBC and CBC GemUncover the Magic of the Beatles' 1964 Tour
Documenting the Birth of Beatlemania
You might think that the Beatles' documentary era had come to an end after the release of Get Back in 2021. However, Beatles ’64 proves otherwise. This film focuses on the band's initial two-week visit to the States in February 1964, which marked the official start of Beatlemania. Reams of pages have been written about this period, but this documentary brings it to life in a whole new way.
The Maysles brothers' footage, which was first seen in The Beatles: The First U.S. Visit, is at the heart of Beatles ’64. Director David Tedeschi expands on their original close-up and personal look at the Beatles, adding segments from the 16mm footage that Scorsese and Tedeschi went back to. This gives us a deeper understanding of the band's experiences during their trip.
The Beatles and Their Impact
At its core, Beatles ’64 is about how the Beatles and their songs affected the people being interviewed. The intimacy of the Maysles' footage shows the ordeals the band had to endure, from interviews to dealing with fans. But it also shows their positive attitude and their love for performing.
Through contemporary interviews with Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, as well as archival talks with George Harrison and John Lennon, we get a sense of the band's evolution. John Lennon's remarks on the train ride and in the hotel room add a special touch to the film, giving us insights into their creative process.
The Restoration and Remixing
One of the major bonuses of Beatles ’64 is the restoration of the Maysles' footage in crisp 4K by Peter Jackson's company Park Road Post. The superb performance segments on The Ed Sullivan Show and at the D.C. concert were also "demixed" and remixed by producer Giles Martin. This enhances the viewing experience and allows us to see the Beatles in all their glory.
As an unshakable Beatles fan, I was particularly moved by the film. It brought back memories of watching the Beatles on that long-ago February Sunday night. My two favorite moments involve John Lennon, and his remarks and musical ideas add a personal touch to the story.