Piracy Platform FMovies Surpasses Major Streaming Services in U.S. Website Traffic

FMovies, a popular pirate streaming site, draws millions of American visitors every month, offering free access to movies and TV series and posing a significant challenge to paid subscription services. The platform’s prominence has made it a target for the movie industry and a focal point in discussions about implementing site-blocking measures in the United States. According to SimilarWeb’s rankings of U.S. ‘Streaming & Online TV’ sites, FMovies outpaces Disney+ and Crunchyroll in terms of traffic.

Site blocking, once a topic avoided by U.S. politicians, has gained traction in recent years. Charles Rivkin, CEO of the Motion Picture Association (MPA), has been vocal in advocating for site-blocking legislation, citing its effectiveness in other countries. FMovies, identified as a primary target by the MPA, garners over 160 million monthly visits globally, with a significant portion originating from the United States.

Despite the MPA’s concerns, FMovies’ traffic numbers continue to rise, propelling it to the ninth position in SimilarWeb’s U.S. “Streaming & Online TV” category. While FMovies faces stiff competition from industry giants like YouTube, HBO Max, and Netflix, it outperforms Disney+ and Crunchyroll in terms of web-based visits in the United States.

During a congressional hearing, lawmakers expressed astonishment at the ease of accessing FMovies. Representative Ted Lieu demonstrated live access to the site on his phone, highlighting the lack of action from online service providers to block it. However, ISPs are unlikely to act without legal mandates, such as court orders.

One obstacle to site blocking in the United States is the absence of no-fault injunctive relief, which would empower courts to compel ISPs to take action without imposing liability. Despite its limitations, site blocking remains a key tool in combating piracy, with research suggesting positive effects on legitimate consumption.

While FMovies has yet to respond to the controversy, the site relies on advertising revenue, particularly from U.S. traffic. A decline in U.S. visitors could have significant financial implications for the platform.

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