# Netflix hack: will you watch? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 2, 2017, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-hack-will-you-watch/785691 "2017-05-02T01:47:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2017, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-hack-will-you-watch/785691/21 "2017-05-02T12:01:53Z")
Can someone tell me how Netflix would lose money over this? It’s still their series, but they won’t have to flip the bill to stream it for those who cheat. Netflix is commercial free, so no revenue loss there, People who like the series are not going to jump ship because of pirates, as they don’t even have all the episodes, people who don’t have Netflix might watch the pirated shows and want to see more. In some ways this could be helpful to Netflix, some may call it a publicity stunt, just like how several years ago it was common for Apple’s engineer to ‘lose’ a prototype iPhone in a bar or something and get it into the wild, while demanding it be returned. The only downside is perhaps some will watch the pirated show, find out how to do it, and drop Netflix for the pirate channels which will often have those episodes a day after they air (or so I am told). However if the pirated channels get too popular, additional pressure to shut them down may be applied, lessening the appeal of them. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2017, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-hack-will-you-watch/785691/22 "2017-05-02T12:10:42Z")
I don’t think the types of people who maintain Netflix subscriptions are the type of people to aggressively pirate television shows. Season 2 of _Better Call Saul_ just went up on streaming. Season 3 has started airing. If I wanted to, I could binge through S2 and pirate S3, catching up with the show. I could do the same for lots of other programs. But then what? Now there are a bunch of television shows I’ve already seen. When the currently airing seasons go up next year I won’t have any reason to watch. The value of my Netflix subscription has plummeted. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2017, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-hack-will-you-watch/785691/23 "2017-05-02T12:26:38Z")
I’m not interested in furthering the agendae of people whose business model is “we stole your shit, now pay us or else”. So no, I won’t be watching. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2017, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-hack-will-you-watch/785691/24 "2017-05-02T13:38:22Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > There have been rumours that content owners have in the past purposely allowed their stuff to be leaked. Some of it is credible. Yes, but in this case it seems someone else _stole_ the episodes, wrote a ransom note, and it now threatening to do the same to various other networks and services. So no, I don’t think this is a case of a deliberate leak. > [@](#): > > In this case, I have to wonder, is there any possibility Netflix trying to get into China, the one place where they don’t have a presence. And see this as an arrow to so get in? And… how would that work? Sure, some people in China might now be watching a show they might otherwise not see, but that’s not going to convince the Chinese government to allow Netflix into their country. > [@kanicbird](#): > > Can someone tell me how Netflix would lose money over this? It’s still their series, but they won’t have to flip the bill to stream it for those who cheat. **Johnny Bravo** covered how this can diminish the value of a Netflix subscription. > [@](#): > > Netflix is commercial free, so no revenue loss there Netflix depends on subscriptions rather than commercials. If people stop subscribing to Netflix because they’re getting the shows elsewhere, through illicit channels that provide no revenue to Netflix (such as legitimate rebroadcasts or DVD type things) then Netflix loses money. > [@](#): > > In some ways this could be helpful to Netflix, some may call it a publicity stunt, just like how several years ago it was common for Apple’s engineer to ‘lose’ a prototype iPhone in a bar or something and get it into the wild, while demanding it be returned. Again, this is being investigated as a criminal act last I heard, so apparently it’s not “publicity” but rather extortion. Which, by the way, is a crime. > [@](#): > > However if the pirated channels get too popular, additional pressure to shut them down may be applied, lessening the appeal of them. Meanwhile, legitimate channels like Netflix lose money. Money is what keeps them operating and enable them to produce content like _Orange is the New Black_. If you don’t pay the content producers for producing content then you will at some point no longer have new content to enjoy. > [@Smapti](#): > > I’m not interested in furthering the agendae of people whose business model is “we stole your shit, now pay us or else”. ^ This. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2017, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-hack-will-you-watch/785691/25 "2017-05-02T14:53:47Z")
Hackers can all fuck off. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2017, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-hack-will-you-watch/785691/26 "2017-05-02T14:54:06Z")
I figured that most people would have these opinions. I’m another who can’t figure out how this harms Netflix or any other producer of a TV series. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2017, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-hack-will-you-watch/785691/27 "2017-05-02T15:16:24Z")
I would if I loved the show and it wasn’t coming out any other way. But as long as it’s coming out on Netflix I would wait. And yes pirating a show doesn’t directly cost the producers anything at that moment. But Netflix doesn’t get your $10 per month, which goes towards buying programs. And Netflix doesn’t get your viewing stats, which they can use to judge what shows are popular and which aren’t. Pirating is the sort of thing that doesn’t directly hurt the producers, but if everyone or a large number of people do it, then the revenue for show producers will dry up. If you like it, pay for it. Thousands of people make their living producing TV and movies, I don’t mind supporting the programs I like. Paying a reasonable cost for something I like is like a vote saying “Yes, I like what you’re doing and want it to continue.” ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2017, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-hack-will-you-watch/785691/28 "2017-05-02T15:18:38Z")
I remember hearing an interview with somebody from HBO a year or two ago - they were talking about _Game of Thrones_ and piracy. I don’t remember the specifics, but the takeaway was that HBO really couldn’t drum up much worry about the piracy because they earned more in overall hype than they lost in revenue. The folks pirating the show were never going to pay for HBO. I imagine Netflix feels similarly. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2017, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-hack-will-you-watch/785691/29 "2017-05-02T15:30:38Z")
I would disagree. Netflix has spent a lot of time and effort to ensure its available globally, that titles are dropped everywhere at tye same time, at least for original content. 10 years ago, copyright holders were rightly lampooned. In most places outside N American and W Europe/Japan, it was impossible to get original content “legally” and they went out of their way to make it harder for people to so get. The studios were crying over “lost revenue” that they never would have anyway, and were seriously talking about locking up people who wanted to be their customers. These days VOD is available most places, we have simultaneous global releases. More difficult to see how the folks are doing “a public service” anyway. I can’t agree with **control-z** , you don’t lose revenue you never expected to or wanted to have anyway. If you don’t release a show in the Sudan and millions download it there anyway, you have lost nothing and have also proven yourself an idiot, if you cry about it, at least if you then don’t make efforts to sell it in your newly discovered market. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2017, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-hack-will-you-watch/785691/30 "2017-05-02T15:50:48Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > Why would anyone watch it there? If you’re not a Netflix subscriber, you’re 4 seasons behind, and if you are a Netflix subscriber, you’ll get it all soon anyways. ^^^ That ^^^ I can’t see anybody deciding to **begin** watching the show at Season 5. Or an established fan cancelling their Netflix account because all of a sudden the next season is available elsewhere. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2017, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-hack-will-you-watch/785691/31 "2017-05-02T16:03:07Z")
While I don’t support the hackers, I don’t have any love for Netflix either. Sure, they’re not breaking any laws but that’s mostly because they’re big and rich enough to get the laws written in their favor. To use the piracy metaphor they love so much, big entertainment distributors are like Imperial Spain complaining about how terrible it is that the pirates are stealing some of the gold that they stole from the natives. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2017, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-hack-will-you-watch/785691/32 "2017-05-02T16:09:42Z")
No. Too much effort. The thing is, this isn’t going to hurt Netflix’s bottom line. People are not going to end their subscription to watch pirated shows, and some people will watch the pirated shows and decide to subscribe to catch up. Why the pirates thought Netflix would pay them is inexplicable. They clearly did not think out their cunning plan all that well. ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2017, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-hack-will-you-watch/785691/33 "2017-05-02T16:12:43Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > Hackers can all fuck off. This eloquence reflects my opinion. I reported those assholes to Twitter; like it did any good. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2017, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-hack-will-you-watch/785691/34 "2017-05-02T16:17:12Z")
Fuck, no. Stealing is stealing even if there is a 100% chance of getting away with it. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2017, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-hack-will-you-watch/785691/35 "2017-05-02T16:28:06Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > I can’t agree with **control-z** , you don’t lose revenue you never expected to or wanted to have anyway. If you don’t release a show in the Sudan and millions download it there anyway, you have lost nothing and have also proven yourself an idiot, if you cry about it, at least if you then don’t make efforts to sell it in your newly discovered market. Sure if something is not available in your market and you pirate it without costing the producers/distributors any bandwidth, that doesn’t directly hurt anything. But it would lead to less people saying “Please let us have Netflix in Sudan”, which could affect Sudan having access to Netflix in the long run. However I expect most everyone on the SDMB is able to pay for Netflix and should do so if they want to watch Netflix content. It’s not like TV shows grow wild in a forest somewhere, it costs a lot to make them and someone has to pay for them. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2017, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-hack-will-you-watch/785691/36 "2017-05-02T17:47:58Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > Why would anyone watch it there? If you’re not a Netflix subscriber, you’re 4 seasons behind, and if you are a Netflix subscriber, you’ll get it all soon anyways. > > Watching pirated shows makes sense if there’s no other way to legitimately see them, or if the cost is prohibitive, but in this case? Anyone who wants it can see it with virtually no effort, and entirely legally. Yeah, I’d think that the only people who would watch it: (A) don’t have Netflix and (B) pirated the previous seasons anyway. Even if these particular knuckleheads didn’t “ransom” it, it would be torrented about seven minutes after it went live on Netflix anyway. ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2017, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-hack-will-you-watch/785691/37 "2017-05-02T18:43:43Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > Can someone tell me how Netflix would lose money over this? It’s still their series, but they won’t have to flip the bill to stream it for those who cheat. Netflix is commercial free, so no revenue loss there, People who like the series are not going to jump ship because of pirates, as they don’t even have all the episodes, people who don’t have Netflix might watch the pirated shows and want to see more. In some ways this could be helpful to Netflix, some may call it a publicity stunt, just like how several years ago it was common for Apple’s engineer to ‘lose’ a prototype iPhone in a bar or something and get it into the wild, while demanding it be returned. The more shows that get pirated from Netflix, the more people who will say, “Why should I pay for Netflix when I can get all of its shows for free anyway?”. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2017, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-hack-will-you-watch/785691/38 "2017-05-02T18:56:50Z")
> [@That\_Don\_Guy](#): > > The more shows that get pirated from Netflix, the more people who will say, “Why should I pay for Netflix when I can get all of its shows for free anyway?”. Probably the same people who downloaded music without paying for it. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2017, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-hack-will-you-watch/785691/39 "2017-05-02T19:07:08Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Probably the same people who downloaded music without paying for it. But they are all just either: 1. Getting copies of music they already have, or 2. Getting samples of music they _fully_ intend on buying afterwards. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![SamuelA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c77e96/32.png) [@SamuelA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SamuelA)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2017, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-hack-will-you-watch/785691/40 "2017-05-02T20:21:56Z")
What if you have a paid up Netflix subscription? Precisely how is it theft, except in the most bullshit legal technicality sense, to watch it a few weeks early? I see no moral case for it being theft, ergo, if I were eager to watch the new season of the show (I’m not a fan of that particular show) I’d download it and watch it early. Only reason I wouldn’t were if the quality were poorer than the 1080p HD quality I’d get if I were to stream it on Netflix. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-hack-will-you-watch/785691.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-hack-will-you-watch/785691.md?page=3)