> Why Virgin Media, Sky and BT block some IPTV services: UK High Court blocking orders, how live blocking works and why licensed services are unaffected. > Source: https://streampulsetv.co.uk/iptv-legal/isp-blocking/ [Legal & safety](https://streampulsetv.co.uk/iptv-legal/) # Why UK broadband providers block some IPTV services If an IPTV service suddenly stops during a big match on Virgin Media, Sky or BT broadband, it is often not a fault. UK broadband providers are ordered by the High Court to block servers used for illegal streams. Here is how that works. - Updated 11 November 2026 - 2 min read Part of our [Legal & safety](https://streampulsetv.co.uk/iptv-legal/) section. **On this page** 1. Court-ordered blocking 2. How live blocking works 3. Why a licensed service is not affected 4. If you think a legitimate service is blocked 5. Frequently asked questions ## Court-ordered blocking Section 97A of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 lets the High Court order internet service providers to block access to services that infringe copyright. Since 2017, the Premier League has obtained "live blocking orders" each season, and other rights holders have followed with orders of their own. The orders are aimed at the largest UK broadband providers, including Sky, BT and EE, Virgin Media and TalkTalk, which together serve most UK homes. ## How live blocking works 1. Rights holders monitor live events and identify the servers streaming them without permission. 2. Those server addresses are passed to the broadband providers covered by the order. 3. The providers block the servers, often only while the event is live. 4. Lists are updated continuously, so blocks follow servers that move. ## Why a licensed service is not affected Blocking targets servers identified as streaming infringing content. A licensed service has the rights to what it shows, so it is not the target of these orders. If a service regularly stops at kick-off on one broadband provider but works on mobile data, that pattern strongly suggests it is being blocked as an unlicensed source. **About getting around blocks** VPNs are legal, but using one to reach an infringing service does not make the viewing lawful. We do not recommend it. See [IPTV and VPNs](https://streampulsetv.co.uk/iptv-legal/privacy-and-vpn/). ## If you think a legitimate service is blocked Mistakes are possible. Contact the service and your broadband provider with details of what is blocked and when. Court orders include safeguards so that wrongly blocked services can be removed from the lists. ## Frequently asked questions **Does Virgin Media block IPTV?** Virgin Media, like the other large UK broadband providers, blocks servers named in High Court orders as streaming infringing content. It does not block licensed IPTV services. **Is it legal for my ISP to block IPTV?** Yes. The blocks are carried out under court orders made under UK copyright law. **Why does my IPTV stop during football matches?** Live blocking orders target unlicensed streams during matches. A service that regularly fails at kick-off is very likely unlicensed. ## Sources and further reading - [Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (legislation.gov.uk)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/48/contents) Updated 11 November 2026 · Written by the StreamPulse TV editorial team ## Related reading - Legal & safety [IPTV and UK copyright law: fines, prosecutions and real cases](https://streampulsetv.co.uk/iptv-legal/copyright/) - Legal & safety [Do you need a VPN for IPTV? Privacy explained honestly](https://streampulsetv.co.uk/iptv-legal/privacy-and-vpn/) - Troubleshooting [IPTV not working? How to fix login, playback and app errors](https://streampulsetv.co.uk/iptv-troubleshooting/not-working/) - Legal & safety [Is IPTV legal in the UK? What the law actually says](https://streampulsetv.co.uk/iptv-legal/is-iptv-legal-uk/) - Troubleshooting [Is IPTV down? How to check, and what to do next](https://streampulsetv.co.uk/iptv-troubleshooting/iptv-down/) Questions first? ## Prefer to ask a person? Tell us which devices you use and how many people watch, and we will suggest the plan that fits, with the price in pounds. [Message us on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/33644656488?text=Hello%20StreamPulse%20TV%2C%0A%0AI%20have%20a%20question%20before%20choosing%20a%20plan.%0A)[See plans and prices](https://streampulsetv.co.uk/iptv-subscription/prices/)