Netflix
Also known as Netflix, Inc.
American streaming company founded in 1997 by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph, with 325 million paid memberships.
At a glance
Also on this page: Key facts · Links · Sources · Related pages
- Netflix, Inc. was founded in 1997 in Scotts Valley, California, by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph, and rented DVDs by mail before starting its streaming service in 2007.
- Based in Los Gatos, it began making original programmes in 2011 and is now the most-subscribed streaming service, with 325 million paid memberships in more than 190 countries.
- It is led by co-CEOs Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters.
Why it matters
- It changed how films and series are made and watched around the world.
Key facts
- Founded
- 29 August 1997, in Scotts Valley, California, by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph1
- Headquarters
- Los Gatos, California1
- Type
- Public company (Nasdaq: NFLX), listed in 20021
- Streaming
- Started streaming in 2007; first original series, Lilyhammer, in 20111
- Memberships
- 325 million paid memberships in more than 190 countries (2026)2
- Reach
- "Over half a billion people in more than 190 countries and 50 languages"3
- Revenue
- $45.2 billion (2025)1
- Employees
- About 16,000 (2025)1
People
Led by
- Ted Sarandos
co-CEO 1
- Greg Peters
co-CEO 1
- Elizabeth StonePerson
Chief Product and Technology Officer · since Feb 2026 5
Founded by
- Reed Hastings
- Marc Randolph
Board
Jay Hoag (chairman) 1
Before
People until 2010
Gibson Biddle (VP of Product; left to become Chegg's chief product officer in 2010) 4
People until Apr 2022
Brendan Gregg (performance engineer) 6
Links
Sources
- Wikipedia: Netflix, Inc. (opens en.wikipedia.org)
- Wikipedia: Netflix (opens en.wikipedia.org)
- About Netflix (opens about.netflix.com)
- Ask Gib: About (opens askgib.substack.com)
- Variety: Netflix Promotes CTO Elizabeth Stone to Chief Product and Technology Officer (2 February 2026) (opens au.variety.com)
- Brendan Gregg: Netflix End of Series 1 (15 April 2022) (opens brendangregg.com)
Last checked against its sources today
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