Netflix history timeline Netflix history timeline

Last updated on March 29, 2024

The Netflix history timeline illustrates some of the important events and milestones in the history of the entertainment company, from its founding, the launch of the website, and the introduction of streaming to the service’s expansion across the globe and the release of the much-awaited offline viewing system.

Founded by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph on August 29, 1997, Netflix changed the way people engage with entertainment. It started as a DVD-by-mail service: subscribers accessed a vast library of TV shows and movies online, and then received the selected DVDs by mail. Then quickly grew to become a global entertainment giant, one of the world’s leading streaming platforms, producing hundreds of hours of award-winning original content.

Today, Netflix boasts millions of subscribers across the entire world who tune in daily and continues to shape the landscape of digital entertainment. With over 260 million members, over 165 million hours of movies and TV shows watched per day worldwide, and an annual revenue of $33.7 billion, the media-streaming giant has gone through a whirlwind of changes since its launch.

Netflix history timeline: key milestones

Whether you’re a seasoned binge-watcher or a newcomer to the world of streaming, you’re about to discover the significant milestones that shaped Netflix’s history.

• 1997: Netflix is founded
• 1998: Launches its website with 925 rentals available
• 1999: Raises $30 million in venture capital
• 1999: Launches its monthly subscription concept
• 2000: Introduces personalized movie recommendations
• 2002: Goes public at $15.00 per share
• 2003: Reaches 1 million subscribers
• 2006: Reaches 5 million subscribers
• 2007: Introduces streaming
• 2007: Netflix delivers its billionth DVD 
• 2010: Starts expanding internationally, beginning with Canada
• 2011: CEO Reed Hastings joins Facebook’s board of directors
• 2011: The first Netflix button appears on remote controls in the US.
• 2012: Starts expansion in Europe, launching in the UK and Ireland
• 2012: Reaches 25 million subscribers
• 2012: Massive Xmas Eve outage
• 2013: Starts streaming House of Cards
• 2013: Launches Orange Is the New Black
• 2013: Announces Profiles and My List features
• 2014: Pays Comcast to end connection speed slowdown
• 2014: Announces a growth of 574% over the past five years
• 2014: Participates in the Internet Slowdown Day protest
• 2015: Launches streaming service in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Cuba
• 2016: Announces that it will launch originals targeting kids
• 2016: Partners with Univision to broadcast the first season of “Narcos”
• 2016: Members in more than 190 countries and 21 languages worldwide
• 2016: Rolls out offline viewing feature
• 2017: Reaches 100 million members
• 2017: 20-year anniversary
• 2017: Wins first Academy Award for “The White Helmets”
• 2017: Introduction of the Skip Intro button
• 2018: Netflix is the most-nominated studio at the Emmys
• 2018: PIN protection is introduced
• 2019: Wins four Academy Awards
• 2020: Netflix is the most-nominated studio at the Academy Awards and Emmys
• 2020: Surpasses 200 million subscribers
• 2021: Launches mobile games
• 2022: Launches stand-up comedy special Netflix Is a Joke: The Festival
• 2023: Wins six Academy Awards
• 2023: Enters live streaming with Chris Rock: Selective Outrage
• 2027: 30-year anniversary

Quick facts on Netflix’s history

Netflix is an acclaimed innovator in the entertainment industry. Wonder why? These fascinating tidbits about Netflix will tell you how it shaped the entertainment world:

• As early as 2000, Netflix changed how we watch shows and movies online by introducing the recommendation algorithm. This algorithm analyzes user preferences to provide personalized suggestions, reforming the way people discover new content.
• In 2007, Netflix launched its streaming service, which was one of the earliest and most popular video-on-demand services at the time. This marked a departure from its DVD-rental service. Now, people could watch movies and TV shows right away on the internet, leading to a surge in Netflix’s popularity.
• In 2013, Netflix redefined itself when it started making its own TV shows, like “House of Cards” and “Orange Is the New Black.” These were new and different types of shows for Netflix, but they became very popular. Netflix then proved that it wasn’t only about broadcasting shows made by others, but it could produce top-notch entertainment on its own.
• On September 10, 2014, Netflix, along with many other web giants, participated in the “Internet Slowdown Day” protest, part of the Battle for the Net initiative. The protest consisted in a symbolic slowdown of the participants’ websites to remind people what the World Wide Web would look like without net neutrality.
• Netflix has always been about using new technology to make watching shows and movies better. In 2016, they introduced offline downloading capabilities. Then, the following year, they refined the interface with the simple yet ingenious “Skip Intro” button, that lets you skip the opening credits of shows.

And there’s still more to the story! Netflix has done so much more than technology and streaming innovations. Their work has been acknowledged with prestigious awards as well:

• In 2017, Netflix won the first Academy Award for a documentary called “The White Helmets.” Winning this award confirmed them as a remarkable presence in the film industry alongside traditional Hollywood studios, extending their influence beyond television to cinema.
• And they didn’t stop at just one Academy Award. In 2019, Netflix won four more Oscars, showing that they’re a serious player in the movie world.
• The next year, in 2020, Netflix was the studio with the most nominations at both the Academy Awards and the Emmys.
• And in 2023, they continued their winning streak by snagging six more Academy Awards.

Netflix’s achievements are nothing short of amazing, shaping the way people watch TV and movies. With its innovative streaming technology, original shows, and award-winning productions, Netflix has made its mark on the world of entertainment. They’ve grown a lot, with more and more people joining every year. And, as we look ahead, its influence is set to continue growing.

Frequently asked questions about Netflix

Still curious about Netflix? Find out the answers to the most frequently asked questions about everyone’s favorite streaming service.

About the Netflix timeline

The Netflix chronology was designed using Office Timeline, a PowerPoint add-in that enables users to quickly turn series of events, plans or schedules into beautiful visuals. The free trial of the software is recommended both for users who need to create simple timelines fast or build professional graphics for business communications.