Studies have shown that Bootleg TV spikes about 12 to 18 hours after the tv show was aired, according to a study by Akamai and Vobile. In order to fight Bootleg TV, the study concluded that networks should distribute their content online as soon as possible after the airing of a TV show, or they may risk losing up to 20 percent of their audience.

How Accurate is the Study?
Though it’s hard to tell how accurate the bootleg tv study really is,there may also be a potential negative aspect to posting video directly after a video airs on TV. They may lose potential TV viewers. If they know they can watch the show on the net immediately, why not skip the television broadcast altogether? By delaying the online video content, users will have to wait, thus making them more prone to watching the online broadcast.

As for the Spike, consider that a good majority of the spiked trafficked probably comes from users who can’t watch these TV shows in their home country. Their only option is to download the show “illegally” via the net. You might have even experience your agony when trying to ABC.com on demand from outside the USA. It simply doesn’t work…

Image via MdcBowen