Founded in 1997 by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph, Netflix began as a DVD rental-by-mail service before pivoting to streaming in 2007. Today, it stands as the world’s leading subscription-based streaming platform, boasting over 250 million subscribers across 190+ countries. Netflix’s mission—"To entertain the world"—reflects its dominance in shaping modern media consumption.

Netflix official Website‌: https://www.netflix.com/hk/

Business Model & Innovations

Subscription Tiers: Offers ad-free and ad-supported plans (Basic, Standard, Premium), catering to diverse budgets.
Original Content Strategy: Invests heavily in Netflix Originals (e.g., Stranger Things, The Crown), spending ~$17 billion annually on productions.
Algorithm-Driven Personalization: Uses AI to recommend content via sophisticated user-data analysis.

Global Impact & Challenges

Cultural Influence: Localized content (e.g., Squid Game, Money Heist) bridges global audiences.
Competition: Rivals like Disney+ and Amazon Prime push Netflix to innovate (e.g., gaming integration, live streaming).
Sustainability: Faces scrutiny over carbon footprint from data centers.

Future Prospects

Expansion into interactive media (e.g., Black Mirror: Bandersnatch) and cloud gaming signals Netflix’s ambition to transcend traditional streaming.

Netflix’s blend of tech prowess and storytelling continues to redefine entertainment, though adaptability remains key in an evolving digital landscape.