Ever wonder how Netflix picks what shows to offer? Turns out, piracy might play a big role.
Netflix exec Kelly Merryman said traffic on piracy sites helped the company determine what shows to purchase. Merryman claimed "Prison Break" was added to the Netflix lineup thanks to its popularity on torrent sites. (Via The Verge)
The revelation came in an interview with tech website Tweakers about the company's recent launch in the Netherlands. In a separate interview, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings told the site piracy helped create demand for his own service.
“Netflix is so much easier than torrenting because you don’t have to deal with files. … In Canada, BitTorrent is down by about 50 percent since Netflix launched three years ago.”
Hastings' comments echo those of Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos earlier this year. When asked what the service does to combat piracy, Sarandos said: "When we launch in a territory, the BitTorrent traffic drops as the Netflix traffic grows. … The best way to combat piracy isn't legislatively or criminally but by giving good options." (Via Stuff)
But there are some shows Netflix can't get for any price, like HBO's wildly popular "Game of Thrones" series, which was the most pirated show of 2012 with over 4 million downloads per episode. (Via TorrentFreak)
With its new service in the Netherlands, Netflix is streaming in 41 countries around the world.
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