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Comment by jtchang | Hacker News Reader

I actually don't think this will hurt Netflix at all. Part of the value Netflix provides is ease of use. It's just there ready to go. Maybe if you are a hardcore fan you'll download the new season but most people will just wait. Why? Because people are lazy and are willing to pay for convenience. If the hacker somehow put up all the episodes on a site and it was just one click to stream then maybe I'd go for it. But overall I'd say it might actually be a net positive for Netflix (more press!)

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As long as you don't unsubscribe from Netflix they actually save money (not taking into account the minimal new subs lost due to people watching the pirated version and hence not signing up).

Though it's not like it's the first season of a new show, so people who love the show likely still have Netflix or their own way of watching the show. If it was some show they've yet to release that would be potential subscribers lost maybe. Although it is no secret that people will find their ways of not paying for Netflix.

I doubt anyone was waiting to sign up to get non-first season of a single show, and now wouldn't sign up. Especially with the type of show where you'd be lost or at least miss half the context by not watching the earlier seasons.

At best, this person would be signing up for a month then cancelling after finishing the season, and Netflix had a one month free trial, so I'm having a hard time seeing how Netflix is materially impacted here at all.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Netflix release it this week (it was supposed to be June), but you're right, piracy is about access not price, and it's still easier to access OINTB via a Netflix app than it is to torrent it

OINTB=Orange Is The New Black

And I wonder how many TV customers are doing what I do, where I subscribe to Netflix and go months without watching it (and my in-laws do); my in-laws have a cable subscription that my wife uses to watch stuff online; I can find the stuff I want to watch through torrents.

Personally can't agree more! I definitely can download anything thats on netflix etc. The only reason I am subscribed to it, is the ease of use.

Wasn't that a popular promotion strategy for music artists to leak records/songs - before Spotify

there are sites precisely as you describe, all over the place. have you heard of "video lockers"?

I agree with most of your points. However, this part really turned me down:

> If the hacker somehow put up all the episodes on a site and it was just one click to stream then maybe I'd go for it.

I just don't think that's ethical, given Netflix isn't only about ease of use, but content creation too!

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