Netflix
The world’s largest subscription streaming service.
52-week range
As of 5 Oct 2026, 17:07What does Netflix do?
Netflix, based in Los Gatos, California, started in 1997 by mailing DVDs. Today it is the world’s biggest subscription streaming service, with series, films, shows and games. It earns almost entirely from subscriptions. For a few years it has also offered a cheaper plan with ads, and it increasingly shows live sport and live events. Netflix produces many of its shows itself, including in Germany.
From your Netflix subscription on the TV or phone, and German productions like “Dark” or the Oscar-winning “All Quiet on the Western Front”.
How Netflix makes money
- US & Canada44 %
- Europe, Middle East & Africa32 %
- Latin America12 %
- Asia Pacific12 %
Strengths
- More than 300 million paid memberships (last reported in early 2025), which spreads the high cost of content widely.
- Netflix has raised prices several times and still kept growing revenue and members.
- The ad-supported plan opens up a second source of income.
Risks
- Strong competition from YouTube, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video and others.
- New shows and films cost billions every year, and not every one is a hit.
- More than half of revenue comes from outside the US, exchange rates swing, and you also carry dollar risk.
- Founded
- 1997
- Headquarters
- Los Gatos, California
- Employees
- about 16,000
What if you had invested in Netflix earlier?
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This page explains the company and is not a recommendation to buy or sell.