Chilean police have shut down Ultra IPTV and Mega IPTV, two pirate TV services that around 400,000 people paid for.
Sixteen people were arrested on 23 October in raids in Santiago's Metropolitan Region and La Araucania, T13 reports.
If you were a subscriber, the service isn't coming back - here's what that means for you.
What Happened
Ultra IPTV, Mega IPTV and Mega IPTV Latinoamerica sold monthly subscriptions to live TV channels and football, using signals taken from paid TV providers without permission.
The investigation began after complaints from DirecTV and Fox.
A court ordered the services' websites blocked, and Chile's telecoms regulator, Subtel, carried it out. Prosecutors say it's the first time that kind of block has been used in a Chilean criminal case.
Investigators say the group took in more than 4 billion Chilean pesos over several years. Police seized luxury cars and even a small plane.
Are Subscribers in Trouble?
No action against viewers has been announced. Prosecutor Constanza Encina said the sites looked legitimate and even issued invoices, so many customers believed they were paying for a legal service.
Prosecutors also said subscribers' role will be looked at as the investigation goes on. So the honest answer is: nothing has been announced, and following official news is the best way to know if that changes.
It's a pattern seen elsewhere too. In the UK, anti-piracy groups have started sending warnings to people who bought dodgy Fire Sticks.
Can You Get Your Money Back?
Probably not from the service. Police told customers that Sernac, Chile's consumer agency, can't help with these subscriptions, because the services were never legal providers.
If you paid by card recently, it's still worth calling your bank. Ask them to stop any repeat payment to the service, and ask whether a refund claim is possible.
What to Do Now
- Stop any repeat payments. Check your card or bank statement for the subscription and ask your bank to block it.
- Remove the service's own app. Police warned that apps from unknown developers can put your data at risk, especially if you typed card details into them.
- Change reused passwords. If you used the same email and password elsewhere, change it there too.
- Keep your player if it's a real one. Apps such as TiviMate only play channel lists you give them, so they're legal to use with legal channels.
Watch out for "replacement" offers.
After a shutdown, sellers often message former customers offering a new service with the same channels. It's the same risk with a new name.
Legal Ways to Keep Watching
Lots of TV is streamed legally and for free, from news channels to whole movie channels supported by ads. Our list of free, legal IPTV playlists works in any IPTV player.
For football and premium channels, you need a licensed provider. Our guide to legal IPTV services covers the options, and our page on is IPTV legal explains how to spot a pirate service before you pay.
Quick questions
Will Ultra IPTV or Mega IPTV come back?
Not as the same service. The websites have been blocked by court order and the people accused of running them were arrested. Anything that appears under a similar name is a different seller.
Will subscribers be fined or charged?
Nothing has been announced. Prosecutors say subscribers' role will be looked at during the investigation, and that many customers were misled into thinking the services were legal.
Can I get a refund from Sernac?
Police say no, because these weren't legal providers. If you paid by card, ask your bank about blocking future payments and whether a refund claim is possible.
Is it illegal to use an IPTV app?
No. IPTV is just a way of sending TV over the internet, and player apps are legal. What matters is whether the channels you watch come from a licensed provider.
Was my card data stolen?
There's no evidence of that so far. Police still advise removing apps from unknown developers and keeping an eye on your card statement.
Ultra IPTV and Mega IPTV are gone for good - stop the payments, remove their app, and move to channels that won't disappear overnight.
Start with our free, legal IPTV playlists, or tell us what you're watching instead.
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