Monday, September 9, 2013

History of Netflix

Netflix is a word you may hear around high schoolers, throughout the conversations of sports teams, even the workplace. Netflix has had a dramatic increase in the number of subscribers recently. It is a very popular company, with over 37 million streaming members globally, with many of us are included in that number. We are all able to enjoy the services... But what is Netflix? How did it start? Where did the idea come from? How much is it? What is available? These are many common questions I hope to give you the answers to.

In August of 1997 Netflix (originally NetFlix, with a capital F) was founded by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph, to rent and sell DVDs over the Internet. Hastings had come up with the idea when he was forced to pay forty dollars in late fines for a movie. At first the company's goal was to send and sell DVDs to others because few video stores actually carried DVDs. The company could have low prices because shipping costs were low, but also guaranteed that the movie would be in stock.

The company opened on April 14th, 1998 with only 30 employees and 925 titles available. In September 1999, Netflixed offered the subscription option. This optioned allowed customers to pre-select 4 DVDs with no late fees or due dates for around $15. In February, 2000, Netflix started recommending titles. At this time, the company was distributing more than 100,000 DVDs a week.

In February 2003, Netflix had hit one million subscribers. By 2005, they we're shipping over a million DVDs a day and had over 35,000 titles to chose from. Finally in 2007, Netflix offered an on demand option. At first there was no charge for this service. In 2007-2011 Netflix experience dramtic growth as a business but in order to have extra services, it was going to cost them.

Today customers pay a monthly fee of $7.99 for unlimited movies and tv episodes streaming over the Internet. You can watch Netflix on devices like PS3, Wii, Xbox 360, smartphones, tvs, and computers. If you are not sure about joining Netflix, they offer a free trial period. You can try Netflix free for a month. Also, you aren't stuck in a contract. You can cancel your subscription at anytime with no cancelation fees.

Another benefit of Netflix is that you may rewind, fast forward, pause, and reply and tv episode or movie. Both that contain no commercials. During suspenseful movies I find this very beneficial so you don't have to watch a commercial when you are really excited to see what happens next. Netflix offers old, new, and original series and movies. Some of my favorite are the classic Disney movies they offer from when I was younger.I also enjoy the Netflix original series that are available to watch. To subscribe to Netflix, visit www.Netflix.com to sign up. You will need a credit card on account for your monthly fees to be paid.

Throughout my blog I will post more information needed about Netflix and the memberships, I will start reviews and recommendations soon! I hope you found this information helpful, or at least interesting.

Thanks for reading,
   Emily

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