Anecdotally: We created a Netflix account when S4 of Arrested Development was released, and have kept it specifically to watch House of Cards and Orange is the New Black, obviating the need to torrent* them.

The other content on Netflix is a bonus but our primary reason for having an account is for the Netflix original shows which we have enjoyed thus far. I imagine there are others in similar positions.

*I am in Australia and am using a DNS service to access Netflix, which is clunky and annoying but workable. Torrenting those shows is the only other realistic option.