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Piracy is good for Game of Thrones

technologyEdward Kiledjian

The media has been vehemently against piracy claiming it is the biggest evil to afflict humanity in the last 100 years. Imagine my surprise when industry heavyweight HBO comes out and says that piracy isn’t as bad as others are making it out.

HBO’s biggest money maker is Game of Thrones and estimates peg that each show is downloaded (illegally) 4 million times. Michael Lombardo, HBO’s programming president, says piracy “compliments” the show. Season 2 was a record setting release selling 241,000 units (44% more than season 1).

“I probably shouldn’t be saying this, but it is a compliment of sorts,” Lombardo said to Entertainment Weekly.

What does it mean when the most pirated show on the internet is also the biggest money maker for a network?

Michael Lombardo makes it clear that HBO is against piracy. Although HBO has an official anti-piracy policy, they seem to understand the "benefit of piracy" and take a much more relaxed stand with pirates.