Trying to get a profit from such things was and always will be a shady noob thing to do. Release groups don't exist to make a profit, and that's why they've thrown such a wrench in the for-profit internet. It's not like the types of people who used to hack boxes to set up an FTP drop didn't have the means to purchase legitimate hosting, but a combination of legitimate hosting not allowing such content knowingly, the lack of accountability / traceability on such a system, and the pure pleasure / glory / novelty / status of exploiting your way to free hosting, then using that hosting to distribute your exploits.

It was also an easy way to limit access to your cracks / serials / whatever to only your friends and other respected people in the scene. The exclusivity made it a status symbol, just like with any status symbol.

She would be the reason we read the title "Competitor TV Show most pirated TV of 2017"

Way to go TV Channel exec.

They should actually seed their own show. Cheap marketing.