Over the last weekend of April, Netflix received a message from a group of hackers called The Dark Overlord. Ridiculous name aside, the group managed to hack Netflix and get its hands on the coveted 5th season of Orange Is The New Black.
The Dark Overlord, as much as the name pains this author to write, had managed to find a weak link in Larson Studios Inc., a post-production studio that Netflix, as well as a number of other companies, use to store its content. During their raid, they unearthed the new OitNB material as well as 37 other TV shows and movies from its servers.
Their demands were simple: they would release 10 episodes ahead of schedule if Netflix refused to pay a ransom of an unspecified sum. In a move that surprised no one, Netflix refused to pay up and called The Dark Overlord’s bluff. As a result, 10 episodes of the show’s 5th season can be downloaded off of The Pirate Bay, a well-known torrent site that isn’t without its own controversy. To learn about its FBI-raids, check out this comprehensive article regarding the site’s ongoing legal troubles.
There’s no telling how many people have taken advantage of Netlix’s bad luck to catch an early glimpse at the award-winning show. But it’s unlikely that the leak will affect Netflix stock like the hackers intended. Dan Rayburn, a streaming media analyst, doubts it will do much damage. You can read more about why he thinks the hack will fail, but the take home points include the fact that:
- Most people will prefer to watch the show on their TV screens
- Those who end up watching on their laptops, tablets, or phones, will also prefer to binge-watch all 13 episodes of the series instead of just the first 10
- There’s also the issues of downloading a torrent, which involves a lot of steps that most people won’t want to follow, especially when the alternative is simply pressing play in just a few weeks’ time.
We’ll just have to wait and see if Rayburn is right, but the chances are in his favor. With just a little bit of patience, we can have the full season in high quality, without ever having to gambling on the right torrent to download.
No word yet on whether Orange is going to be included in the Netflix & Go feature, but it’s worth considering if you are looking for some great entertainment. It’s a real game changer for those who don’t want to kill their data or can’t find reliable Wi-Fi when the need to stream arises. First offered back in 2016, the feature allows subscribers to download their favorite eps or movies right on to their device to watch later.
It’s perfect for anyone who has a long commute to and from work every day. There are only two issues you face if you expect your phone or tablet to stream every last minute: battery life and public transport conditions. Make sure to pick up a portable battery for your handset, and attach a vinyl skin to its aluminum back. The online leader in skins has created a strong, durable, and fashionable accessory that saves your gadget from the dangers of the subway. Its grime and water resistant material stands up to rough handling and can save your device from scratches and other cosmetic damages.
Let us know what your plans are for the upcoming season. Are you going to cash in on the hack and download it ahead of time, or are you going to wait until Netflix releases it on June 9th? Either way, it’s a win-win for us OitNB fans!
