Hackers upload new Netflix show after ransom goes ignored

Episodes of a major TV series have been leaked online more than a month ahead of its official release date after Netflix ignored ‘modest’ ransom demands from digital pirates.

The hacker group, which goes by the name TheDarkOverlord, uploaded ten of the 13 new episodes that make up the fifth season of prison comedy drama ‘Orange Is The New Black’ after Netflix refused to pay 50 bitcoin (£56,531).

The new series isn’t scheduled for official release until June 9th, and so far, it remains unclear whether Netflix will bring that date forward in light of the breach.

The group claims to be in possession of other unaired shows including ABC’s ‘The Catch’, NBC’s ‘Celebrity Apprentice’ and Fox’s ‘New Girl’, and a tweet from the group suggested those networks may be asked to pay up next.

A statement from Netflix acknowledged the breach but didn’t go into details.

It read: “We are aware of the situation. A production vendor used by several major TV studios had its security compromised and the appropriate law enforcement authorities are involved.”

A note from TheDarkOverlord suggested that despite responding to the hackers, Netflix were ‘one of the first to download a fresh copy of their own property’.