I think they'd much prefer people not watch than see people enjoying the content without giving them money (often while seeding the shows to other people in the process).

If nobody watches the shows they can blame the content. If everyone clearly loves the content but refuses to give ABC/Disney/ESPN/FX their business it means the company is the problem (although that wont stop them from falling back on the lie that piracy is all about greedy people who just want everything for free)