In its quarter four overview, Netflix says it has more to worry about than HBO's own streaming service, claiming pirate streaming service Popcorn Time is more of a threat.

Popcorn Time, for people unaware, is a service capable of streaming the torrented movie, TV show or anime similar to Netflix, and offers a library with all the latest releases.

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Taking movies from YTS and TV shows from other pirating sites, Popcorn Time has built a formidable library, and due to the ease-of-use, people are dropping their Netflix accounts for free streaming on Popcorn Time.

The difference between Popcorn Time and most streaming platforms is that it is not made with the intention of making money, but of providing users with a free way to watch pirated content, something that Netflix fears will latch onto millions who don't want to pay for media.

Netflix has to go through licenses and other legal barriers to make its library full, and even then Popcorn Time has way more content available. It is hard for Netflix to sell its product, which is why it has started funding more original content.

Telling shareholders Popcorn Time is a threat and competitor is a double-edged sword. While it does show Netflix is aware of issues to revenue, it is near impossible to make a better product than Popcorn Time without vastly improving its own service.

Popcorn Time has shown throughout 2014 a resilience to suppression, adopting new encryption when the old stops working, choosing a new torrenting service when the old one is blocked, and generally escaping the copyright laws in each available country.

If media corporations are not willing to lower prices of movies and make TV shows globally available at minimum cost, people will continue to go to Popcorn Time for their fix, but Netflix is showing some initiative.

TagsPopcorn Time, netflix, tv shows, Piracy