Netflix was founded in 1997 in California by entrepreneurs Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph. Initially, the company was conceived as a DVD rental service by mail — an innovative alternative to traditional video rental stores, where customers faced late fees and limited selection.
The key feature of Netflix has become the subscription model without penalties for late returns. Users could order discs online, receive them by mail, and return them at their convenience. This approach quickly attracted an audience and allowed the company to grow amidst the decline of traditional video rental networks.
In the early 2000s, Netflix made a strategic pivot by actively investing in digital technologies. In 2007, the company launched a streaming service, allowing users to watch movies and series directly over the internet. This decision became a turning point and laid the foundation for the global transformation of the entire entertainment industry.
The next stage of development began in 2013 when Netflix released its first major original series. Investments in original content transformed the platform from merely a distributor to a full-fledged media company. The success of original projects led to a growth in subscribers worldwide and made Netflix a competitor to traditional film studios and TV channels.
Today, Netflix is available in over 190 countries, uses personalized recommendation algorithms, and invests billions of dollars annually in the production of films, series, and documentary projects. The company's history is an example of how technological thinking, user orientation, and readiness for radical change can create a new global industry.
