Norway offers shedloads of legal streaming options, including Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Max, Apple TV, SkyShowtime, Viaplay, and Discovery+. However, lately, the streaming companies have been jacking up the cost, and users the kids have to subscribe to multiple platforms.

The Norwegian government recently released the results of an Ipsos survey, highlighting the public's attitude towards piracy. The findings indicate that unauthorized streaming and downloading are broadly accepted, especially among younger demographics.

The survey, which included 1,411 respondents aged 15 and above, found that 32 per cent agree it is acceptable to use pirate sites and services to save money. Among those under 30, this figure rises to 50 per cent.

Acceptance rates were even higher when asked specifically whether it’s okay to pirate due to the high cost of legal services. This trend is concerning for rightsholders and campaigns aimed at reducing piracy.

Despite the high cost of streaming services, most respondents pay for legal access. Overall, 61 per cent reported paying for streaming services in the past year, including 64 per cent of those under 30. This suggests that while Norwegians are willing to pay for content, the multitude of paid options makes it unfeasible for many to subscribe to everything they want to watch.

One strategy to deter piracy is highlighting its negative consequences, such as losses in the entertainment industry, potential malware, and the notion that pirate services are linked to organised crime.

Approximately two-thirds of respondents said they had considered the potential negative consequences of using pirate sites and services, but less than half (47 per cent) agreed that piracy supports organised crime.

 Older Norwegians were more likely to accept the organised crime link, but many respondents (24 per cent) indicated they simply don’t know enough about this potential connection.

Malware threats and links to organised crime are not significant deterrents for pirates. Of those who knowingly pirated in the past year, only seven per cent said knowing more about the links with organised crime could make them stop, while 18 per cent said the risk of malware or fraud could deter them.

Legal streaming platforms could make the most progress by changing their pricing. Among self-proclaimed Norwegian pirates, the most common reasons to stop were more affordable legal streaming services (41 per cent) and the availability of a broader range of content per service (35 per cent).