It’s hard to imagine the world of entertainment without Netflix. As we’re about to find out, it wasn’t always like that! Here’s how Netflix took over in-home entertainment – and how it got here in the first place.
What Is Netflix?
Netflix was first created in 1997 as a movie rental and delivery service. Since then, they’ve branched out to include streaming television, licensed content, and original programming. In 2016, they reported 100 million subscribers worldwide – with 48 million of those based in America alone. Netflix offers customers unlimited streaming and can be accessed on computers, mobile devices (iPhone or Android), TVs (via Chromecast or Roku), gaming consoles (Xbox One or Playstation 4), and set-top boxes (Apple TV or Amazon Fire TV). They have a large back catalogue of content which you can access instantly from your computer – if you want to stream any content from your account on another device though it will cost more than $8 per month.
What Does It Offer That Other Video Streaming Sites Do Not?
One of the best things about Netflix is its original content; shows and movies created in house by talented producers and directors. When you watch a TV show or movie on Netflix, it’s instantly available on your device for viewing (no waiting for discs in mail). And if you’re traveling, a downloaded TV episode can be viewed at any time without an Internet connection. To boot, watching something on your laptop or phone means no one else has to put up with your choice of entertainment, which is especially handy during family dinners. Throw in a healthy dose of film buffs’ series like Criterion Collection and it’s easy to see why some people think of it as their main source of entertainment.
The History of Netflix
Today, Netflix has become a household name in America. That wasn’t always the case though. Back in 1997, when Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph first launched their DVD rental business, they didn’t have much more than an idea. And even that came to them only after they had unsuccessfully tried to persuade Blockbuster Video—the undisputed king of video rentals at that point—to use their fledgling technology. When Blockbuster refused, Hastings and Randolph struck out on their own, creating a service that sent DVDs through mail via postage stamp-sized envelopes—what we today call snail mail. At its peak of popularity in 2004, Netflix mailed over 2 million discs per day—that’s about 661 miles worth!
The Benefits of Streaming With Netflix
When streaming services first came out on top of DVD rentals, many people did not see them as a threat. We used to go to our local Blockbuster and rent movies for $4.99 each. Then, about a decade later, we could either pay $7.99 for one movie at Redbox or subscribe to two rental services that would send DVDs right to our doorsteps. When streaming services came into play, many still believed they were not worth it—until they tried out their free trial periods. The free trial period is what hooked consumers on Netflix’s original content and convenience of having an unlimited selection at any time of day or night—and we haven’t turned back since! Streaming has completely taken over in-home entertainment because of its accessibility and cheap subscription costs. It has been around long enough now that customers are used to streaming, but only those who have tried it can attest to how convenient and fun it really is. This year alone there will be an estimated 6 million new users joining in on Netflix’s ever growing list of subscribers (Source). Streaming has become so popular in households all over America because everyone wants access to something different whenever they want. They don’t want to wait for anything! That’s why streaming services like Netflix are perfect for us – if you don’t like something you’re watching, just find something else with one click instead of going out somewhere else or waiting days until your next trip back to Blockbuster!
Subscription Plans and Pricing with Comparison Chart
Before you even think about business or marketing plans, you need to know what your subscription model will be. For most businesses, pricing is something that takes time and experimentation to figure out. There are many different ways to sell your product. Netflix has three different subscription tiers; Basic, Standard and Premium. The company also offers a free trial period of 30 days for new subscribers. Here is a comparison chart of these four options In addition to its in-home entertainment service, Netflix also provides content through partnerships with other companies such as Comcast and Verizon. This allows users who do not have access to high speed internet to stream content on their television sets via a DVD player. Although people can still watch DVDs on their televisions, more and more consumers are streaming content over their high speed internet connections instead of watching DVDs. As technology advances, it’s likely that more customers will opt for streaming services over DVD rentals from companies like Netflix. A Look at Competitors: When starting any business there’s always competition waiting in the wings just itching for an opportunity to snatch away customers from your fledgling operation. With so much competition, how does Netflix manage to stay relevant? Well, unlike some competitors (cough cough Blockbuster), Netflix is constantly innovating and improving upon its offerings. In fact, one of the reasons why many people prefer streaming over DVD rental is because it allows them to watch shows whenever they want without having to worry about returning discs by a certain date. However, while there may be plenty of competitors vying for market share in today’s economy, Netflix continues to dominate when it comes to home entertainment because it was one of the first companies that successfully brought online streaming into our homes.
Pros and Cons to Using Netflix vs. Cable/Satellite TV
Once you’ve signed up for a Netflix subscription, which costs $9.99 per month, and created an account, you can enjoy watching as many movies and shows as you want—on your time. You no longer have to wait for that TV show on Tuesday night or worry about if you missed last week’s episode of Game of Thrones. Just scroll through thousands of titles and stream whatever strikes your fancy. Many entertainment buffs love being able to watch what they want, when they want it—and not having to spend extra money on services like cable TV just seems logical. However, there are some downsides to going with a service like Netflix over traditional television. For example: Netflix vs. Cable/Satellite TV: The Cost Factor: If you’re looking at cutting back on your monthly expenses in order to save money and make ends meet, opting for something like Netflix over cable might seem appealing at first glance. However, once you start digging into how much each option actually costs per month (i.e., taking into consideration all fees), things don’t look quite so rosy anymore.
A Brief Word on Instant Queue, Ratings, etc.
For those of you not familiar with Netflix, you’re probably wondering why it’s called a queue instead of a queue. Instant Queue is actually one word—which serves as both singular and plural for the digital catalog of movies that’s maintained in your account. That said, not every member will be able to create an Instant Queue (you need unlimited streaming). When it comes to ratings on Instant Queue, they’re similar to reviews on IMDB. com: five stars is excellent; four stars is good; three stars is average; two stars or less means don’t bother watching. The star system can also be applied to thumbs up or thumbs down. And lastly, if you want more information about how Netflix works, check out its official help section. It has plenty of tips and tricks for getting started!
Conclusion – Is It Time To Cut the Cable Cord Yet?
The rise of Internet streaming services, like Netflix, has caused a fundamental change in how consumers get their entertainment. The cord-cutters have spoken and traditional cable providers can’t make them happy. With cheap, fast Internet becoming available everywhere there’s no good reason for people to pay hundreds of dollars per month for bloated cable packages that include channels they don’t watch. It’s time to cut that cord! But with so many options out there, what is it you should be looking for? You need to find an Internet service provider who offers reliable speeds at competitive prices. You also want one who doesn’t slow down or cap your connection based on your usage or charge outrageous fees when you exceed your data allotment. Oh, and it would be nice if they didn’t monitor or record what you do online—and if you could use a VPN with it without any hassle. We know all that sounds too good to be true but guess what? Nowadays it actually is!
