Saran Media Launches Friend MTS Watermarking for Live Sports in Turkey
▼ Summary
– Saran Media Group has implemented Friend MTS’ anti-piracy watermarking to protect live sports content on its S Sport Plus OTT service in Turkey.
– The partnership aims to safeguard high-value sports rights, including NFL, La Liga, and NBA, as part of Saran Media’s growth strategy.
– S Sport Plus, launched in 2018, offers live and on-demand sports, Bundesliga rights until 2029, and multi-view streaming for up to seven matches simultaneously.
– FMTS’ watermarking enables rapid piracy detection at the subscriber level, allowing Saran Media to quickly shut down compromised accounts.
– Both companies emphasize the importance of protecting media rights and reducing piracy’s financial impact on the sports broadcasting sector.
Saran Media has implemented cutting-edge watermarking technology from Friend MTS to safeguard its premium live sports broadcasts in Turkey, marking a significant step in combating digital piracy. The partnership focuses on protecting high-value content streamed through S Sport Plus, including major leagues like the NFL, NBA, and UEFA Champions League, ensuring rights holders receive maximum protection against unauthorized distribution.
The decision to integrate Friend MTS’s forensic watermarking solutions aligns with Saran Media’s strategy to secure its growing sports portfolio. Since April 2025, the system has actively identified compromised subscriber accounts by embedding unique, invisible watermarks at the individual user level. This allows for rapid detection and shutdown of piracy sources during live events, where immediate action is crucial.
S Sport Plus, launched in 2018, has become a powerhouse in Turkey’s OTT market, offering exclusive access to top-tier sports alongside a diverse selection of live TV channels. Its multi-view streaming feature, supporting up to seven simultaneous matches, has set it apart in delivering an immersive fan experience. The platform’s acquisition of Bundesliga rights through 2029 further cements its position as a premier destination for football enthusiasts, particularly given the strong Turkish presence in Germany’s top league.
Özgür Oğuz, Chief Marketing Officer at S Sport Plus, emphasized the importance of content security as a cornerstone of their expansion. “Protecting our investments and maintaining trust with rights holders is non-negotiable,” he stated. “Friend MTS stood out not just for their technical expertise but for their proactive approach to addressing piracy’s evolving challenges.”
Shane McCarthy, CEO of Friend MTS, highlighted the broader impact of piracy on Turkey’s sports media landscape. “Illegal streaming doesn’t just hurt broadcasters—it devalues media rights across the board,” he noted. “By deploying our watermarking technology, Saran Media is setting a benchmark for how premium sports content should be defended.”
The collaboration underscores a shared commitment to preserving the integrity of live sports broadcasting. With piracy costing the industry millions annually, solutions like real-time watermarking provide a measurable return on investment by curtailing revenue losses and maintaining fair market value for licensed content.
Friend MTS continues to lead the anti-piracy sector with innovations in fingerprint-based monitoring and legal enforcement, serving major global brands in media and entertainment. Meanwhile, Saran Media’s dedication to securing its sports portfolio reinforces its reputation as a forward-thinking broadcaster in Turkey and beyond.
This strategic move not only benefits rights holders but also enhances the viewing experience for legitimate subscribers, ensuring uninterrupted access to world-class sports coverage. As digital piracy tactics grow more sophisticated, partnerships like this demonstrate how technology and vigilance can keep content secure in an increasingly competitive streaming landscape.
(Source: Streaming Media)
