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Netflix is Born
In August of 1997, Netflix was founded as NetFlix.com, Inc. in Scotts, Valley, California by Reed Hastings and Marc Rudolph. -
NetFlix Website Launched
When first launched, NetFlix.com did not offer the unlimited DVD subscriptions or streaming services that would make it so popular in years to come. Instead, DVDs rented through the website were much like those rented from a brick-and-mortar store: customers paid a small fee to rent an item for 7 days. -
Netflix Introduces DVD Subscription Plans
In September 1999, Netflix introduced its first subscription plan, called the Marquee Program. For $15.95/month, customers could select up to four DVDs to rent with no due dates or late fees. Over the years, Netflix would introduce a variety of subscription plans that customers could choose from to best suit their viewing needs. -
Initial Public Offering
In 2002, Netflix "went public" and began to sell company stock shares. Around this time, NetFlix also changed their name to Netflix. -
On-Demand Streaming Video
In February 2007, Netflix began offering online video-on-demand streaming for Netflix customers. At first, this services was included for free with a DVD rental subscription. -
First International Expansion
In September 2010, Canada became to first country outside of the United States to which Netflix extended service. -
DVD and Streaming Subscriptions Split
In September 2011, CEO and Founder Reed Hastings announced that Netflix's DVD subscription service and online streaming services would be split and customers could choose to subscribe to either service or both services. Originally, the DVD subscription service was to be spun off into a different website called Qwikster. Following negative reactions, the company decided just a few weeks later that both services would remain under the same name, Netflix, and on the same website. -
First Original Series
After years providing content produced by both mainstream and independent television an filmmakers, Netflix began to produce exclusive content that could only be watched by Netflix subscribers. Their first original series, a political drama called House of Cards and starring Kevin Spacey, premiered February 1, 2013. Due to the critical sucess of several original series, Netflix is expected to continue producing many more original titles. -
Individual Profiles
Netflix introduced the option for customers with multiple users sharing one account to create separate "profiles." This allowed family members and friends sharing one account to maintain separate viewing queues and received suggested titles based on their individual tastes. -
Netflix Today
Today Netflix is available worldwide, with the exception of mainland China, Syria, North Korea, and Crimea. Netflix has over 46 million subscribers in the United States and 81 million subscribers worldwide.
