‘Lost’ Most Pirated TV-Show on BitTorrent

Ernesto
January 27, 2009
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lost,
Tv-Torrents
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The fifth season of the hit series ‘Lost’ premiered on U.S. television with two brand new episodes last week. With close to two million downloads for both episodes in only a few days, it leads this week’s list of most pirated TV-Shows on BitTorrent.

Every week we take a look at the most downloaded TV-Shows on BitTorrent. Lost is traditionally one of the most downloaded TV shows. Last year, it got the honor of being the most pirated show of 2008, and we expect the show to end up high in the 2009 list as well.

The fifth season of Lost just started with two new episodes. Both episodes were downloaded close to two million time in the first week. As always, the vast majority of the people who download the show are located outside the U.S, where it may take up to a year before season 5 will actually air on TV.

The rise of unauthorized downloading of TV-shows is a signal that customers want something that is not available through other channels. It’s more about availability than the fact that it’s free and should be viewed as an opportunity, not a threat. The more restrictions, the more piracy – it’s as simple as that.

The data for the most recent TV episodes are collected by TorrentFreak from a representative sample of BitTorrent sites and is for informational and educational reference only. Thanks to ShowInsider we now also include a list based on the total number of downloads (not only recent episodes) of all shows in the past week.

Top Downloads (Recent Episodes)

January 19 – January 25
Ranking	(last week)	TV-show
torrentfreak.com
1	(…)	Lost
2	(…)	House M.D.
3	(1)	24
4	(2)	Desperate Housewives
5	(4)	Battlestar Galactica
6	(…)	Fringe
7	(6)	How I Met Your Mother
8	(5)	The Big Bang Theory
9	(7)	Gossip Girl
10	(8)	Grey’s Anatomy

Top Downloads (All Episodes)

January 19 – January 25
Ranking	(last week)	TV-show
showinsider.com
1	(2)	Heroes
2	(1)	Prison Break
3	(4)	Dexter
4	(5)	Gossip Girl
5	(16)	Lost
6	(9)	House M.D.
7	(6)	Desperate Housewives
8	(8)	Grey’s Anatomy
9	(7)	Californication
10	(15)	How I Met Your Mother

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Jacob

Wow lost is so lost. Seriously the storyline is just to unbelievable.
http://www.kusinfilm.com Erfa

Yay, LOST is finally back! One of the best shows on TV I've ever seen. Well, on the Internet, since it takes ages for it to get to me in Sweden, just like TorrentFreak reported.
Wut

I can see into the future :D

http://torrentfreak.com/top-10-most-pirated-tv-sh…
swirch

Agreed. This is/was a great opportunity for big companies to develop a new type of product, with no boundaries, global streaming platform and if I would have paid for it – damn I would if that'd allow me to watch shows not aired down under.
http://intensedebate.com/people/Free_Torrent Free_Torrent

Haven't watched Lost in a while. Stopped following when season 4 started I think. It just got ridiculous…
http://intensedebate.com/people/Roze Roze

"It’s more about availability than the fact that it’s free and should be viewed as an opportunity, not a threat."
They do not realize this as of now, but then again, why do they need to? The problem is not that they do not realize it; the problem is that they get to make all the decisions regarding it.
http://www.intensedebate.com/people/Roze Roze

"It’s more about availability than the fact that it’s free and should be viewed as an opportunity, not a threat."
They do not realize this as of now, but then again, why do they need to? The problem is not that they do not realize it; the problem is that they get to make all the decisions regarding it, rather than the will of the people.
jolly

I CANT BELIEVE LOCK KILLED JACK!
WHAT A BASTARD!
ps the island is a time machine
- Big_Red
  
  WTF! Spoiler alert ma-f**ker!
  - http://www.dailylost.com/ Michael
    
    Don't worry, he's just trolling, that didn't happen.
Jim

Does it seem weird to anyone else that the most torrented show is one that is also available streaming from the ABC website?
Bob

Doesn't seem weird at all. Streaming is only available to people inside the US. Not everyone in the world lives in the US ;)
markie

I agree 100% about what Ernesto said.

(It’s more about availability than the fact that it’s free and should be viewed as an opportunity, not a threat. The more restrictions, the more piracy – it’s as simple as that.)

As i live is AUS. I know what it is like to have to wait long periods for tv shows to be aired here.
Chris

I'm from the US, I travel quite a bit and as such I am subject to the international black out. I want to keep in touch with specific TV programs (ironically none listed in the top 10) while not being tethered to an internet connection (ala Sling). This is the only way for me to accomplish my goal and it is something that I would gladly pay for to make it easier to obtain.
TerribleTony

I find it amazing that even file-sharers like this programme, especially after the writers/producers admitted they didn't know where the story was going. Perhaps Lost is more like a Soap Opera than a serious show.
The fact that TV still has to be like scheduled to be recorded and all that is pathetic..

You should have what you want, when you want it, TV is VERY far behind.
http://www.dailylost.com Michael

All the networks are slowly coming around, so let's cut them some slack. Lost is available on iTunes for $2 an episode and streaming free at ABC.com, and Hulu.com has proven that a network-run video site can actually be good. I realize these options aren't available internationally yet, but that would seem to be the next step, hopefully.

Roze, your comment didn't make sense. Why would the availability of Lost be up to "the will of the people"? As awesome as it is, it's owned and financed by ABC who is trying to make a profit from it. If it couldn't make money, there would be no show. We need to face reality.
- http://intensedebate.com/people/Roze Roze
  
  Why would the availability of Lost be up to "the will of the people"?
  Through file-sharing, of course. The fact is that copyright grants absolute power, which is the absolute power to make bad decisions. It should not be up to them to decide what is good or bad for the shows. What, just because they "own" it (in actuality, they don't, since copyright is not "property" at all, but rather a time-limited monopoly in order to grant monetary incentive), that they are somehow superior to everybody else, and ought to be the sole dictators on how it is going to be available?You need to face reality: culture should be more democratic, and they could still turn a profit even if it were controlled by the people. I mean, why should we all stand nonsense just because the executives of ABC or other companies are just stupid and somehow hold the copyright to it?
- http://www.intensedebate.com/people/Roze Roze
  
  Why would the availability of Lost be up to "the will of the people"?
  Through file-sharing, of course. The fact is that copyright grants absolute power, which is the absolute power to make bad decisions. It should not be up to them to decide what is good or bad for the shows. What, just because they "own" it (in actuality, they don't, since copyright is not "property" at all, but rather a time-limited monopoly in order to grant monetary incentive), that they are somehow superior to everybody else, and ought to be the sole dictators on how it is going to be available? You need to face reality: culture should be more democratic, and they could still turn a profit even if it were controlled by the people. I mean, why should we all stand nonsense just because the executives of ABC or other companies are just stupid and somehow hold the copyright to it?
  - http://www.dailylost.com Michael
    
    Look, it's a self-correcting problem, because the way they're going to make money from a show is if people watch it, and they have to figure out the best way for that to happen. Ultimately, that may mean abandoning the traditional TV schedule altogether, like you support. But if you create, develop, and fund a show, then yes, you should have some level of power over everybody else who's desperate to see said show. They reserve the right to do what they want with it, while we as the people reserve the right to decide whether we want to see it or pay for it. It works out, because both sides need each other.
    - http://www.intensedebate.com/people/Roze Roze
      
      then yes, you should have some level of power over everybody else who's desperate to see said show
      Why is that so? You haven't stated anything to justify it other than "yes, they should have the right to dictate what other people do with the show." Just because some entity holds the copyright, doesn't mean that this entity ought to be considered to be somehow superior to everybody else, and that this entity's decisions ought to be forcefully imposed upon everybody else.
      
      It works out, because both sides need each other.
      However, the people do not need control from above. It certainly does not work out, because this level of power and control imposed on the people does not do anything positive.
      
      It is not a self-correcting problem, because as long as control exists, they can continue to cause problems as much as they want. They can choose to heed the will of the people, or they can choose to ignore people and and upset them instead, whenever they want. The origin of this problem is not that they make foolish decisions, but rather that they can make foolish decisions which are then imposed upon everybody else.
    - http://intensedebate.com/people/Roze Roze
      
      then yes, you should have some level of power over everybody else who's desperate to see said show
      Why is that so? You haven't stated anything to justify it other than "yes, they should have the right to dictate what other people do with the show." Just because some entity holds the copyright, doesn't mean that this entity ought to be considered to be somehow superior to everybody else, and that this entity decisions ought to be forcefully imposed upon everybody else.
      
      It works out, because both sides need each other.
      However, the people do not need control from above. It certainly does not work out, because this level of power and control imposed on the people does not do anything positive.
      
      It is not a self-correcting problem, because as long as control exists, they can continue to cause problems as much as they want. They can choose to heed the will of people, or they can choose to ignore people and and upset them instead, whenever they want.
    - http://www.intensedebate.com/people/Roze Roze
      
      then yes, you should have some level of power over everybody else who's desperate to see said show
      Why is that so? You haven't stated anything to justify it other than "yes, they should have the right to dictate what other people do with the show." Just because some entity holds the copyright, doesn't mean that this entity ought to be considered to be somehow superior to everybody else, and that this entity decisions ought to be forcefully imposed upon everybody else.
      
      It works out, because both sides need each other.
      However, the people do not need control from above. It certainly does not work out, because this level of power and control imposed on the people does not do anything positive.
      
      It is not a self-correcting problem, because as long as control exists, they can continue to cause problems as much as they want. They can choose to heed the will of the people, or they can choose to ignore people and and upset them instead, whenever they want. The origin of this problem is not that they make foolish decisions, but rather that they are the sole ones to decide on this, decisions of which are imposed upon everybody else.
    - http://www.intensedebate.com/people/Roze Roze
      
      then yes, you should have some level of power over everybody else who's desperate to see said show
      Why is that so? You haven't stated anything to justify it other than "yes, they should have the right to dictate what other people do with the show." Just because some entity holds the copyright, doesn't mean that this entity ought to be considered to be somehow superior to everybody else, and that this entity decisions ought to be forcefully imposed upon everybody else.
      
      It works out, because both sides need each other.
      However, the people do not need control from above. It certainly does not work out, because this level of power and control imposed on the people does not do anything positive.
      
      It is not a self-correcting problem, because as long as control exists, they can continue to cause problems as much as they want. They can choose to heed the will of the people, or they can choose to ignore people and and upset them instead, whenever they want. The origin of this problem is not that they make foolish decisions, but rather that they are the sole ones to decide on this.
    - http://www.intensedebate.com/people/Roze Roze
      
      then yes, you should have some level of power over everybody else who's desperate to see said show
      Why is that so? You haven't stated anything to justify it other than "yes, they should have the right to dictate what other people do with the show." Just because some entity holds the copyright, doesn't mean that this entity ought to be considered to be somehow superior to everybody else, and that this entity's decisions ought to be forcefully imposed upon everybody else.
      
      It works out, because both sides need each other.
      However, the people do not need control from above. It certainly does not work out, because this level of power and control imposed on the people does not do anything positive.
      
      It is not a self-correcting problem, because as long as control exists, they can continue to cause problems as much as they want. They can choose to heed the will of the people, or they can choose to ignore people and and upset them instead, whenever they want. The origin of this problem is not that they make foolish decisions, but rather that they are the sole ones to decide on this.
    - http://www.dailylost.com Michael
      
      Are you talking about governments or television networks? Let's not get lost in the rhetoric: in my example, the people need ABC because they MAKE THE SHOW. And ABC can't ignore the people because then the people will STOP WATCHING AND PUT ABC OUT OF BUSINESS. That's all.
    - http://www.intensedebate.com/people/Roze Roze
      
      the people need ABC because they MAKE THE SHOW
      The people, however, do not need control from above from the ABC. You were arguing for the idea that ABC should have absolute control of the show imposed on the people, and you have not justified that one jot.
      
      The ABC can certainly choose to ignore the people whenever they want – it may or may not put them out of business, but the fact is that they have the ability to make bad decisions, which are then imposed on the people through copyright law, and that is the problem. The problem is not just that they do occasionally make bad decisions, but also that they can make those bad decisions in the first place. It is a good thing that file-sharing is at least liberating people somewhat from industry control.
      
      You seem like one of those industry advocates who argue that file-sharing is stealing, or at least wrong in some way. After all, since you argue that the industry should have control, it is a logical conclusion that you would also say that the people thus do not have any rights to control its availability through providing it through file-sharing. If this is what you think, then I can only say that you are just another vile MAFIAA advocate. If not, then it would still require a stretch of logic to argue that industry control is somehow consistent with file-sharing like The Pirate Bay.
    - http://www.intensedebate.com/people/Roze Roze
      
      then yes, you should have some level of power over everybody else who's desperate to see said show
      Why is that so? You haven't stated anything to justify it other than "yes, they should have the right to dictate what other people do with the show." Just because some entity holds the copyright, doesn't mean that this entity ought to be considered to be somehow superior to everybody else, and that this entity's decisions ought to be forcefully imposed upon everybody else.
      
      It works out, because both sides need each other.
      However, the people do not need control from above. It certainly does not work out, because this level of power and control imposed on the people does not do anything positive.
      
      It is not a self-correcting problem, because as long as control exists, they can continue to cause problems as much as they want. They can choose to heed the will of the people, or they can choose to ignore people and and upset them instead, whenever they want. The origin of this problem is not that they make foolish decisions, but rather that they are the sole ones to decide on this.
http://musikmaniacs.blogspot.com MusikManiacs

good series especially the new season! no wonder it is a hit in torrent…

http://musikmaniacs.blogspot.com
http://intensedebate.com/people/Izkata Izkata

My post was a day before yours (the new comment system is reverse chronological order?) and said pretty much the same thing
http://kiwitorrent.com/ Torrent Search

It's because in a lot of countries takes a lot of time to come…
http://www.bohemianrhapsody.dk/tag/fildeling William

I don't know if this is the right place to ask, but here goes… Some media-hype about Monty Pythons Amazon-sales going nuts after they opened up their YouTube-channel. Sales are supposedly up 18.000 percent. Does anybody know if there has been a similar spike in interest in Monty-torrents. I only know current numbers, but have no overviews whatsoever and don't know ow to look for them. An thoughts or knowledge to share on the subject?
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Bob

Lost for the win! love it!

Torrent freak does well btw!

http://www.sitelogr.com/s/torrentfreak.com“target=”_blank”>http://www.sitelogr.com/s/torrentfreak.com
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‘Lost’ Most Pirated TV-Show on BitTorrent

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