What Happened
Panama’s National Authority of Public Services, known as ASEP, strengthened its rules on the commercial sale and distribution of IPTV devices through Resolution AN No. 21605-RTV, issued on April 30, 2026. The measure expands oversight of TV Box, Android TV Box and TV Stick devices that can be used to access television content and channels without authorization from the rights holders.
Under the new guidance, businesses and individuals that sell or distribute these devices must limit their role to technical support for installation and to the use of properly licensed applications or platforms. ASEP also reiterated that pay television services may only be offered by authorized concessionaires operating through their own networks with the technical capacity to ensure quality and proper service.
Focus on Unauthorized Content Access
The regulation targets devices and applications that allow users to reach channels and content without permission from the relevant providers or owners. ASEP said its actions respond to sales of IPTV receivers and the promotion of apps such as MagisTV, now known as Xuper TV, which offer access to national and international channels similar to those available through paid television providers.
Concessionaires that manage their IPTV equipment remotely are now allowed to disable or remove unauthorized applications that facilitate access to channels and content without the required approval. ASEP said any action or omission that violates the resolution may be sanctioned by the agency, without affecting possible measures by consumer protection authority ACODECO under Law No. 45 of 2007, or any criminal liability that may apply.
What the Rule Does and Does Not Change
The resolution does not ban the importation or sale of IPTV devices outright. Instead, it orders the immediate halt of any act that modifies these devices or installs applications that provide access to channels without proper authorization. That distinction matters for retailers and consumers, since the measure focuses on how the equipment is used and configured rather than on the devices themselves.
ASEP also made clear that the rule does not affect legitimate content platforms such as YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, Max or Paramount+, which operate under legal licenses and subscriptions. The agency’s position places the focus on licensing compliance, the rights of content owners and the legal limits on pay television distribution in Panama.
Why It Matters
The move reflects a broader effort to curb unauthorized access to television content in Panama, a recurring issue in the pay TV and streaming market. For consumers, the message is that licensed services remain permitted, while devices or applications used to bypass authorization can trigger enforcement action.
For distributors and installers, the resolution raises the compliance bar and makes clear that technical support must not extend to modifying devices for unlicensed access. The measure also reinforces the role of official concessionaires in Panama’s pay television market, where service quality and authorization remain central regulatory concerns.