NETFLIX INC, 10-Q filed on 7/19/2017
Quarterly Report
v3.7.0.1
Document And Entity Information
 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
shares
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]  
Entity Registrant Name NETFLIX INC
Entity Central Index Key 0001065280
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type 10-Q
Document Period End Date Jun. 30, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2017
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q2
Amendment Flag false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding 431,749,744
v3.7.0.1
Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($)
shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
Jun. 30, 2016
Jun. 30, 2017
Jun. 30, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]        
Revenues $ 2,785,464 $ 2,105,204 $ 5,422,099 $ 4,062,940
Cost of revenues 1,902,308 1,473,098 3,559,332 2,842,638
Marketing 274,323 216,029 545,593 424,039
Technology and development 267,083 207,300 524,191 410,808
General and administrative 213,943 138,407 408,234 265,632
Operating income 127,807 70,370 384,749 119,823
Other income (expense):        
Interest expense (55,482) (35,455) (102,224) (70,992)
Interest and other income (expense) (58,363) 16,317 (44,771) 42,280
Income before income taxes 13,962 51,232 237,754 91,111
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes (51,638) 10,477 (6,068) 22,698
Net income $ 65,600 $ 40,755 $ 243,822 $ 68,413
Earnings per share:        
Basic (in dollars per share) $ 0.15 $ 0.10 $ 0.57 $ 0.16
Diluted (in dollars per share) $ 0.15 $ 0.09 $ 0.55 $ 0.16
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:        
Basic (in shares) 431,396 428,483 431,000 428,300
Diluted (in shares) 446,262 438,154 445,862 438,073
v3.7.0.1
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
Jun. 30, 2016
Jun. 30, 2017
Jun. 30, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]        
Net income $ 65,600 $ 40,755 $ 243,822 $ 68,413
Other comprehensive income (loss):        
Foreign currency translation adjustments 14,347 (4,446) 16,926 3,096
Change in unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax of $89, $388, $166, and $1,222, respectively 144 636 271 2,001
Total other comprehensive income (loss) 14,491 (3,810) 17,197 5,097
Comprehensive income $ 80,091 $ 36,945 $ 261,019 $ 73,510
v3.7.0.1
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
Jun. 30, 2016
Jun. 30, 2017
Jun. 30, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]        
Change in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, tax $ 89 $ 388 $ 166 $ 1,222
v3.7.0.1
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
Jun. 30, 2016
Jun. 30, 2017
Jun. 30, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:        
Net income $ 65,600 $ 40,755 $ 243,822 $ 68,413
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:        
Additions to streaming content assets (2,664,421) (1,791,766) (5,013,087) (4,108,365)
Increase in streaming content liabilities 514,890 238,517 881,147 1,144,240
Amortization of streaming content assets 1,550,794 1,175,361 2,856,477 2,233,882
Amortization of DVD content assets 16,511 20,021 35,109 40,462
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and intangibles 18,551 14,131 33,600 28,929
Stock-based compensation expense 44,028 44,112 88,916 86,534
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation 0 (13,323) 0 (24,639)
Other non-cash items 11,519 9,040 33,185 21,797
Foreign currency remeasurement loss on long-term debt 64,220 0 64,220 0
Deferred taxes (20,702) (17,876) (47,466) (34,479)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:        
Other current assets (80,199) 24,091 (105,601) 38,399
Accounts payable (12,439) 8,795 (23,439) (11,103)
Accrued expenses (48,042) 2,099 45,500 43,331
Deferred revenue 46,609 22,753 61,830 50,255
Other non-current assets and liabilities (41,447) (3,003) (32,597) (32,539)
Net cash used in operating activities (534,528) (226,293) (878,384) (454,883)
Cash flows from investing activities:        
Acquisition of DVD content assets (7,624) (17,924) (32,996) (41,131)
Purchases of property and equipment (65,231) (10,814) (117,754) (19,239)
Change in other assets (1,064) 907 (1,833) 551
Purchases of short-term investments (14,246) (18,492) (72,020) (53,454)
Proceeds from sale of short-term investments 14,128 18,752 69,876 26,940
Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments 17,605 24,675 22,705 87,700
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities (56,432) (2,896) (132,022) 1,367
Cash flows from financing activities:        
Proceeds from issuance of debt 1,420,510 0 1,420,510 0
Debt issuance costs (15,013) 0 (15,013) 0
Proceeds from issuance of common stock 14,826 4,232 39,004 7,768
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation 0 13,323 0 24,639
Other financing activities 63 57 124 112
Net cash provided by financing activities 1,420,386 17,612 1,444,625 32,519
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 11,527 (2,742) 16,982 2,592
Net change in cash and cash equivalents 840,953 (214,319) 451,201 (418,405)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 1,077,824 1,605,244 1,467,576 1,809,330
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period 1,918,777 1,390,925 1,918,777 1,390,925
Supplemental disclosure:        
Change in investing activities included in liabilities $ (3,493) $ (1,254) $ (20,165) $ (1,757)
v3.7.0.1
Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Jun. 30, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Current assets:    
Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,918,777 $ 1,467,576
Short-term investments 246,125 266,206
Current content assets, net 4,149,111 3,726,307
Other current assets 386,772 260,202
Total current assets 6,700,785 5,720,291
Non-current content assets, net 9,078,474 7,274,501
Property and equipment, net 309,831 250,395
Other non-current assets 428,133 341,423
Total assets 16,517,223 13,586,610
Current liabilities:    
Current content liabilities 4,095,374 3,632,711
Accounts payable 273,398 312,842
Accrued expenses 248,871 197,632
Deferred revenue 505,302 443,472
Total current liabilities 5,122,945 4,586,657
Non-current content liabilities 3,356,090 2,894,654
Long-term debt 4,836,502 3,364,311
Other non-current liabilities 89,186 61,188
Total liabilities 13,404,723 10,906,810
Commitments and contingencies (Note 6)
Stockholders’ equity:    
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 4,990,000,000 shares authorized at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016; 431,749,744 and 430,054,212 issued and outstanding at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively 1,727,858 1,599,762
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (31,368) (48,565)
Retained earnings 1,416,010 1,128,603
Total stockholders’ equity 3,112,500 2,679,800
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 16,517,223 $ 13,586,610
v3.7.0.1
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares
Jun. 30, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]    
Common stock, par value (dollars per share) $ 0.001 $ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized (shares) 4,990,000,000 4,990,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (shares) 431,749,744 430,054,212
Common stock, shares outstanding (shares) 431,749,744 430,054,212
v3.7.0.1
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
The accompanying interim consolidated financial statements of Netflix, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (the “Company”) have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S.”) and are consistent in all material respects with those applied in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on January 27, 2017. The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the streaming content asset amortization policy; the recognition and measurement of income tax assets and liabilities; and the valuation of stock-based compensation. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. On a regular basis, the Company evaluates the assumptions, judgments and estimates. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The interim financial information is unaudited, but reflects all normal recurring adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to fairly present the information set forth herein. The interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results for a full year.
The Company has three reportable segments: Domestic streaming, International streaming and Domestic DVD, all of which derive revenue from monthly membership fees. See Note 10 for further detail on the Company's segments.
There have been no material changes in the Company’s significant accounting policies, other than the adoption of Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-09 described below and in Note 9, as compared to the significant accounting policies described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.
In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which amends Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation. ASU 2016-09 simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. Under the new standard, all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies are recorded as a component of the provision for income taxes in the reporting period in which they occur. Additionally, ASU 2016-09 requires that the Company present excess tax benefits on the Statement of Cash Flows as an operating activity. ASU 2016-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company adopted ASU 2016-09 in the first quarter of 2017 and elected to apply this adoption prospectively. Prior periods have not been adjusted. See Note 9 for information regarding the impact on the Company’s financial statements.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) which amended the existing accounting standards for revenue recognition. ASU 2014-09 establishes principles for recognizing revenue upon the transfer of promised goods or services to customers, in an amount that reflects the expected consideration received in exchange for those goods or services. In July 2015, the FASB deferred the effective date for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (including interim reporting periods within those periods). Early adoption is permitted to the original effective date for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 (including interim reporting periods within those periods). The amendments may be applied retrospectively to each prior period (full retrospective) or retrospectively with the cumulative effect recognized as of the date of initial application (modified retrospective). The Company will adopt ASU 2014-09 in the first quarter of 2018 and has updated its planned adoption method to the modified retrospective approach. Because the Company's primary source of revenues is from monthly membership fees which are recognized ratably over each monthly membership period, the Company does not expect the impact on its consolidated financial statements to be material.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) in order to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for those leases classified as operating leases under previous GAAP. ASU 2016-02 requires that a lessee should recognize a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term on the balance sheet. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 (including interim periods within those periods) using a modified retrospective approach and early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt ASU 2016-02 in the first quarter of 2019. Although the Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of the ASU on its consolidated financial statements, the Company currently believes the most significant changes will be related to the recognition of new right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on the Company's balance sheet for real estate operating leases.
In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Restricted Cash, which requires amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the total beginning and ending amounts for the periods shown on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-08 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 (including interim periods within those periods) using a retrospective transition method to each period presented and early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt ASU 2016-18 in the first quarter of 2018 and does not expect the impact on its consolidated financial statements to be material.
v3.7.0.1
Earnings Per Share
 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]  
Earnings Per Share
Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is computed using the weighted-average number of outstanding shares of common stock during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed using the weighted-average number of outstanding shares of common stock and, when dilutive, potential common shares outstanding during the period. Potential common shares consist of incremental shares issuable upon the assumed exercise of stock options. The computation of earnings per share is as follows:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
June 30,
2017
 
June 30,
2016
 
June 30,
2017
 
June 30,
2016
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
Basic earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
65,600

 
$
40,755

 
$
243,822

 
$
68,413

Shares used in computation:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding
431,396

 
428,483

 
431,000

 
428,300

Basic earnings per share
$
0.15

 
$
0.10

 
$
0.57

 
$
0.16

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
65,600

 
$
40,755

 
$
243,822

 
$
68,413

Shares used in computation:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding
431,396

 
428,483

 
431,000

 
428,300

Employee stock options
14,866

 
9,671

 
14,862

 
9,773

Weighted-average number of shares
446,262

 
438,154

 
445,862

 
438,073

Diluted earnings per share
$
0.15

 
$
0.09

 
$
0.55

 
$
0.16



Employee stock options with exercise prices greater than the average market price of the common stock were excluded from the diluted calculation as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. The following table summarizes the potential common shares excluded from the diluted calculation:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six months ended
 
June 30,
2017
 
June 30,
2016
 
June 30,
2017
 
June 30,
2016
 
(in thousands)
Employee stock options
215

 
1,930

 
226

 
1,634
v3.7.0.1
Short-term Investments
 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
Short-Term Investments And Fair Value Measurement [Abstract]  
Short-term Investments
Short-term Investments
The Company’s investment policy is consistent with the definition of available-for-sale securities. The Company does not buy and hold securities principally for the purpose of selling them in the near future. The Company’s policy is focused on the preservation of capital, liquidity and investment return. From time to time, the Company may sell certain securities but the objectives are generally not to generate profits on short-term differences in price. The following tables summarize, by major security type, the Company’s assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, the category using the fair value hierarchy and where they are classified on the Consolidated Balance Sheets:
 
As of June 30, 2017
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
Short-term investments
 
Non-current assets (1)
 
(in thousands)
Cash
$
1,348,434

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
1,348,434

 
$
1,344,799

 
$
—

 
$
3,635

Level 1 securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Money market funds
275,248

 


 
—

 
275,248

 
273,978

 
—

 
1,270

Level 2 securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Time Deposits
300,000

 
—

 
—

 
300,000

 
300,000

 
—

 
—

Corporate debt securities
189,190

 
228

 
(392
)
 
189,026

 
—

 
189,026

 
—

Government securities
35,906

 
—

 
(169
)
 
35,737

 
—

 
35,737

 
—

Agency securities
21,569

 
—

 
(207
)
 
21,362

 
—

 
21,362

 
—

Total
$
2,170,347

 
$
228

 
$
(768
)
 
$
2,169,807

 
$
1,918,777

 
$
246,125

 
$
4,905


 
As of December 31, 2016
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
Short-term investments
 
Non-current assets (1)
 
(in thousands)
Cash
$
1,267,523

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
1,267,523

 
$
1,264,126

 
$
—

 
$
3,397

Level 1 securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Money market funds
204,967

 
—

 
—

 
204,967

 
203,450

 
—

 
1,517

Level 2 securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate debt securities
199,843

 
110

 
(731
)
 
199,222

 
—

 
199,222

 
—

Government securities
35,944

 
—

 
(128
)
 
35,816

 
—

 
35,816

 
—

Certificates of deposit
9,833

 
—

 
—

 
9,833

 
—

 
9,833

 
—

Agency securities
21,563

 
—

 
(228
)
 
21,335

 
—

 
21,335

 
—

Total
$
1,739,673

 
$
110

 
$
(1,087
)
 
$
1,738,696

 
$
1,467,576

 
$
266,206

 
$
4,914



(1) Primarily restricted cash that is related to workers compensation deposits and letter of credit agreements.

Fair value is a market-based measurement that is determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. The hierarchy level assigned to each security in the Company’s available-for-sale portfolio and cash equivalents is based on its assessment of the transparency and reliability of the inputs used in the valuation of such instrument at the measurement date. The fair value of available-for-sale securities and cash equivalents included in the Level 1 category is based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market. The fair value of available-for-sale securities included in the Level 2 category is based on observable inputs, such as quoted prices for similar assets at the measurement date; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly. These values were obtained from an independent pricing service and were evaluated using pricing models that vary by asset class and may incorporate available trade, bid and other market information and price quotes from well-established independent pricing vendors and broker-dealers. The Company's procedures include controls to ensure that appropriate fair values are recorded, such as comparing prices obtained from multiple independent sources. See Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements for further information regarding the fair value of the Company’s senior notes.
Because the Company does not intend to sell the investments that are in an unrealized loss position and it is not likely that the Company will be required to sell any investments before recovery of their amortized cost basis, the Company does not consider those investments with an unrealized loss to be other-than-temporarily impaired at June 30, 2017 or December 31, 2016, respectively. There were no material other-than-temporary impairments or credit losses related to available-for-sale securities in the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. In addition, there were no material gross realized gains or losses in the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
The estimated fair value of short-term investments by contractual maturity as of June 30, 2017 is as follows:
 
(in thousands)
Due within one year
$
55,718

Due after one year and through five years
190,407

Total short-term investments
$
246,125
v3.7.0.1
Balance Sheet Components
 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
Balance Sheet Components Disclosure [Abstract]  
Balance Sheet Components
Balance Sheet Components
Content Assets
Content assets consisted of the following:
 
As of
 
June 30,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
 
(in thousands)
Licensed content, net
$
11,195,034

 
$
9,595,315

 
 
 
 
Produced content, net


 


Released, less amortization
861,967

 
335,400

In production
1,057,283

 
1,010,463

In development
95,240

 
34,215

 
2,014,490

 
1,380,078

DVD, net
18,061

 
25,415

Total
$
13,227,585

 
$
11,000,808

 
 
 
 
Current content assets, net
$
4,149,111

 
$
3,726,307

Non-current content assets, net
$
9,078,474

 
$
7,274,501


Produced content is included in "Non-current content assets, net" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Certain original content is licensed and therefore not included in produced content. Of the produced content that has been released, approximately 29% , 77% and over 80% of the unamortized cost is expected to be amortized over the next twelve, thirty-six and forty-eight months, respectively. The amount of accrued participations and residuals to be paid during the next twelve months is not material.
Property and Equipment, Net
Property and equipment and accumulated depreciation consisted of the following:
 
 
As of
 
 
 
 
June 30,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
 
Estimated Useful Lives

 
 
(in thousands)
 
 
Information technology assets
 
$
213,447

 
$
185,345

 
3 years
Furniture and fixtures
 
45,374

 
32,185

 
3 years
Buildings
 
40,681

 
40,681

 
30 years
Leasehold improvements
 
205,514

 
107,945

 
Over life of lease
DVD operations equipment
 
70,152

 
70,152

 
5 years
Corporate aircraft
 
29,304

 
—

 
8 years
Capital work-in-progress
 
11,409

 
108,296

 

Property and equipment, gross
 
615,881

 
544,604

 
 
Less: Accumulated depreciation
 
(306,050
)
 
(294,209
)
 
 
Property and equipment, net
 
$
309,831

 
$
250,395

 
 


The decrease in capital work-in-progress from December 31, 2016 is primarily due to leasehold improvements for the Company's expanded Los Gatos, California headquarters and the Company's new Los Angeles, California facility, both of which were placed into operation in the first quarter of 2017.
v3.7.0.1
Long-term Debt
 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]  
Long-term Debt
Long-term Debt

As of June 30, 2017, the Company had aggregate outstanding long-term debt of $4,836.5 million, net of $48.2 million of issuance costs, with varying maturities (the "Notes"). Each of the Notes were issued at par and are senior unsecured obligations of the Company. Interest is payable semi-annually at fixed rates.
The following table provides a summary of the Company's Notes and the fair values based on quoted market prices in less active markets as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Level 2 Fair Value as of
 
Principal Amount at Par
 
Issuance Date
 
Maturity
 
Interest Payment Dates
 
June 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
3.625% Senior Notes (1)
$
1,484.7

 
May 2017
 
2027
 
May 15 and November 15
 
$
1,513

 
$
—

4.375% Senior Notes
1,000.0

 
October 2016
 
2026
 
May 15 and November 15
 
1,004

 
975

5.50% Senior Notes
700.0

 
February 2015
 
2022
 
April 15 and October 15
 
762

 
758

5.875% Senior Notes
800.0

 
February 2015
 
2025
 
April 15 and October 15
 
888

 
868

5.750% Senior Notes
400.0

 
February 2014
 
2024
 
March 1 and September 1
 
438

 
431

5.375% Senior Notes
500.0

 
February 2013
 
2021
 
February 1 and August 1
 
541

 
539

 
$
4,884.7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

(1) Debt is denominated in euro with a €1,300 million aggregate principal amount and is remeasured into U.S. dollars at each balance sheet date. Total proceeds were $1,420.5 million and remeasurement loss on long-term debt was $64.2 million for the three months ending June 30, 2017.

Each of the Notes are repayable in whole or in part upon the occurrence of a change of control, at the option of the holders, at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal plus accrued interest. The Company may redeem the Notes prior to maturity in whole or in part at an amount equal to the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and an applicable premium. The Notes include, among other terms and conditions, limitations on the Company's ability to create, incur or allow certain liens; enter into sale and lease-back transactions; create, assume, incur or guarantee additional indebtedness of certain of the Company's subsidiaries; and consolidate or merge with, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of the Company's and its subsidiaries assets, to another person. As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company was in compliance with all related covenants.
v3.7.0.1
Commitments and Contingencies
 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments and Contingencies

Streaming Content
As of June 30, 2017, the Company had $15.7 billion of obligations comprised of $4.1 billion included in "Current content liabilities" and $3.4 billion of "Non-current content liabilities" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and $8.2 billion of obligations that are not reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as they did not yet meet the criteria for asset recognition.
As of December 31, 2016, the Company had $14.5 billion of obligations comprised of $3.6 billion included in "Current content liabilities" and $2.9 billion of "Non-current content liabilities" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and $8.0 billion of obligations that are not reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as they did not yet meet the criteria for asset recognition.
The expected timing of payments for these streaming content obligations is as follows:
 
As of 
 
June 30,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
 
(in thousands)
Less than one year
$
6,592,517

 
$
6,200,611

Due after one year and through three years
7,461,470

 
6,731,336

Due after three years and through five years
1,488,760

 
1,386,934

Due after five years
156,640

 
160,606

Total streaming content obligations
$
15,699,387

 
$
14,479,487


Content obligations include amounts related to the acquisition, licensing and production of streaming content. Obligations that are in non-U.S. dollar currencies are translated to the U.S. dollar at period end rates. An obligation for the production of content includes non-cancelable commitments under creative talent and employment agreements. An obligation for the acquisition and licensing of content is incurred at the time the Company enters into an agreement to obtain future titles. Once a title becomes available, a content liability is recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Certain agreements include the obligation to license rights for unknown future titles, the ultimate quantity and/or fees for which are not yet determinable as of the reporting date. Traditional film output deals, like the U.S. output deal with Disney, or certain TV series license agreements where the number of seasons to be aired is unknown, are examples of such license agreements. The Company does not include any estimated obligation for these future titles beyond the known minimum amount. However, the unknown obligations are expected to be significant.
Legal Proceedings
From time to time, in the normal course of its operations, the Company is subject to litigation matters and claims, including claims relating to employee relations, business practices and patent infringement. Litigation can be expensive and disruptive to normal business operations. Moreover, the results of complex legal proceedings are difficult to predict and the Company's view of these matters may change in the future as the litigation and events related thereto unfold. The Company expenses legal fees as incurred. The Company records a provision for contingent losses when it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. An unfavorable outcome to any legal matter, if material, could have an adverse effect on the Company's operations or its financial position, liquidity or results of operations.
The Company is involved in litigation matters not listed herein but does not consider the matters to be material either individually or in the aggregate at this time. The Company's view of the matters not listed may change in the future as the litigation and events related thereto unfold.
Indemnification
In the ordinary course of business, the Company has entered into contractual arrangements under which it has agreed to provide indemnification of varying scope and terms to business partners and other parties with respect to certain matters, including, but not limited to, losses arising out of the Company’s breach of such agreements and out of intellectual property infringement claims made by third parties. In these circumstances, payment may be conditional on the other party making a claim pursuant to the procedures specified in the particular contract.
The Company's obligations under these agreements may be limited in terms of time or amount, and in some instances, the Company may have recourse against third parties for certain payments. In addition, the Company has entered into indemnification agreements with its directors and certain of its officers that will require it, among other things, to indemnify them against certain liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as directors or officers. The terms of such obligations vary.
It is not possible to make a reasonable estimate of the maximum potential amount of future payments under these or similar agreements due to the conditional nature of the Company’s obligations and the unique facts and circumstances involved in each particular agreement. No amount has been accrued in the accompanying consolidated financial statements with respect to these indemnification obligations.
v3.7.0.1
Stockholders' Equity
 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
Stockholders' Equity and Stock-based Compensation Disclosure [Abstract]  
Stockholders' Equity
Stockholders’ Equity
Stock Option Plan
In June 2011, the Company adopted the 2011 Stock Plan. The 2011 Stock Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options to employees and for the grant of non-statutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and restricted stock units to employees, directors and consultants. As of June 30, 2017, 11.9 million shares were reserved for future grants under the 2011 Stock Plan.
A summary of the activities related to the Company’s stock option plans is as follows:
 
 
 
Options Outstanding
 
 
 
 
 
Shares
Available
for Grant
 
Number of
Shares
 
Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
(per share)
 
Weighted-Average Remaining
Contractual Term
(in years)
 
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(in thousands)
Balances as of December 31, 2016
13,289,953

 
22,437,347

 
$
44.83

 
 
 
 
Granted
(1,374,941
)
 
1,374,941

 
145.41

 
 
 
 
Exercised
—

 
(1,695,532
)
 
23.11

 
 
 
 
Expired
—

 
(1,561
)
 
$
3.25

 
 
 
 
Balances as of June 30, 2017
11,915,012

 
22,115,195

 
$
52.75

 
6.11
 
$
2,141,769

Vested and exercisable as of June 30, 2017
 
 
22,115,195

 
$
52.75

 
6.11
 
$
2,141,769



The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pretax intrinsic value (the difference between the Company’s closing stock price on the last trading day of the second quarter of 2017 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options on the last trading day of the second quarter of 2017. This amount changes based on the fair market value of the Company’s common stock.
A summary of the amounts related to option exercises, is as follows:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
June 30,
2017
 
June 30,
2016
 
June 30,
2017
 
June 30,
2016
 
(in thousands)
Total intrinsic value of options exercised
$
101,727

 
$
37,268

 
$
208,824

 
$
68,725

Cash received from options exercised
$
14,826

 
$
4,232

 
$
39,004

 
$
7,768


Stock-based Compensation
Stock options granted are exercisable for the full ten year contractual term regardless of employment status. The following table summarizes the assumptions used to value option grants using the lattice-binomial model and the valuation data:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
June 30,
2017
 
June 30,
2016
 
June 30,
2017
 
June 30,
2016
Dividend yield
—
%
 
—
%
 
—
%
 
—
%
Expected volatility
34
%
 
45
%
 
34% - 37%

 
45% - 50%

Risk-free interest rate
2.37
%
 
1.83
%
 
2.37%- 2.45%

 
1.83% - 2.04%

Suboptimal exercise factor
2.51

 
2.48

 
2.48 - 2.51

 
2.48

Weighted-average fair value (per share)
$
67.21

 
$
48.38

 
$
64.67

 
$
49.52

Total stock-based compensation expense (in thousands)
$
44,028

 
$
44,112

 
$
88,916

 
$
86,534

Total income tax impact on provision (in thousands)
$
14,477

 
$
16,571

 
$
29,178

 
$
32,534



The Company considers several factors in determining the suboptimal exercise factor, including the historical and estimated option exercise behavior.
The Company calculates expected volatility based solely on implied volatility. The Company believes that implied volatility of publicly traded options in its common stock is more reflective of market conditions, and given consistently high trade volumes of the options, can reasonably be expected to be a better indicator of expected volatility than historical volatility of its common stock.
In valuing shares issued under the Company’s employee stock option plans, the Company bases the risk-free interest rate on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with terms similar to the contractual term of the options. The Company does not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future and therefore uses an expected dividend yield of zero in the option valuation model. The Company does not use a post-vesting termination rate as options are fully vested upon grant date.
v3.7.0.1
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
Equity [Abstract]  
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The following table summarizes the changes in the accumulated balance of other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017:

 
Foreign currency
 
Change in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities
 
Total
 
(in thousands)
Balance as of March 31, 2017
$
(45,387
)
 
$
(472
)
 
$
(45,859
)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
14,347

 
144

 
14,491

Net decrease in other comprehensive loss
14,347

 
144

 
14,491

Balance as of June 30, 2017
$
(31,040
)
 
$
(328
)
 
$
(31,368
)


 
Foreign currency
 
Change in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities
 
Total
 
(in thousands)
Balance as of December 31, 2016
$
(47,966
)
 
$
(599
)
 
$
(48,565
)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
16,926

 
271

 
17,197

Net decrease in other comprehensive loss
16,926

 
271

 
17,197

Balance as of June 30, 2017
$
(31,040
)
 
$
(328
)
 
$
(31,368
)

The amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss were immaterial for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017.
v3.7.0.1
Income Taxes
 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes
Income Taxes
The effective tax rates for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 were (370)% and 20%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 were (3)% and 25%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 differed from the Federal statutory rate primarily due to the recognition of excess tax benefits as a component of the provision for income taxes attributable to the adoption of ASU 2016-09, foreign income taxed at rates lower than the U.S. statutory rate and Federal and California research and development ("R&D") credits, partially offset by state taxes and non-deductible expenses. The effective tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 differed from the Federal statutory rate primarily due to Federal and California R&D credits partially offset by state taxes, foreign taxes and non-deductible expenses. The decrease in effective tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 as compared to the same period in 2016 was due primarily to the recognition of excess tax benefits attributable to the adoption of ASU 2016-09 and an increase in foreign income taxed at rates lower than the US statutory rate.
Gross unrecognized tax benefits were $29.3 million and $19.7 million as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. The gross unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized by the Company, will result in a reduction of approximately $25.8 million to the provision for income taxes thereby favorably impacting the Company’s effective tax rate. As of June 30, 2017, gross unrecognized tax benefits of $8.9 million was classified as “Other non-current liabilities” and $20.4 million as a reduction to deferred tax assets which was classified as "Other non-current assets" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company includes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within the "Provision (benefit) for income taxes" on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and “Other non-current liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Interest and penalties included in the Company’s “Provision (benefit) for income taxes” were not material in any of the periods presented.
Deferred tax assets include $318.2 million and $227.2 million classified as “Other non-current assets” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. In evaluating its ability to realize the net deferred tax assets, the Company considered all available positive and negative evidence, including its past operating results and the forecast of future market growth, forecasted earnings, future taxable income, and prudent and feasible tax planning strategies. As of June 30, 2017, the Company has a valuation allowance of $21.9 million primarily due to foreign tax credit carryovers. As of December 31, 2016, it was considered more likely than not that substantially all deferred tax assets would be realized.
As a result of the adoption of ASU 2016-09 in the first quarter of 2017, the Company recorded a cumulative effect adjustment to increase retained earnings by $43.6 million with a corresponding increase to deferred tax assets for the Federal and state net operating losses attributable to excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation which had not been previously recognized. All excess tax benefits and deficiencies in the current and future periods will be recognized as income tax expense in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Operations in the reporting period in which they occur. This will result in increased volatility in the Company’s effective tax rate. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, the Company recognized a discrete tax benefit related to the excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation of $32.8 million and $68.8 million, respectively.
The Company files U.S. Federal, state and foreign tax returns. The Company is currently under examination by the IRS for 2014 and 2015. The 2008 through 2015 state tax returns are subject to examination by state tax authorities. The Company has no significant foreign jurisdiction audits underway. The years 2011 through 2016 remain subject to examination by foreign tax authorities. Given the potential outcome of the current examinations as well as the impact of the current examinations on the potential expiration of the statute of limitations, it is reasonably possible that the balance of unrecognized tax benefits could significantly change within the next twelve months. At this time, an estimate of the range of reasonably possible adjustments to the balance of unrecognized tax benefits cannot be made.
v3.7.0.1
Segment Information
 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]  
Segment Information
Segment Information
The Company has three reportable segments: Domestic streaming, International streaming and Domestic DVD. Segment information is presented in the same manner that the Company’s chief operating decision maker ("CODM") reviews the operating results in assessing performance and allocating resources. The Company’s CODM reviews revenues and contribution profit (loss) for each of the reportable segments. Contribution profit (loss) is defined as revenues less cost of revenues and marketing expenses incurred by the segment. The Company has aggregated the results of the International operating segments into one reportable segment because these operating segments share similar long-term economic and other qualitative characteristics.
The Domestic streaming segment derives revenues from monthly membership fees for services consisting solely of streaming content to members in the United States. The International streaming segment derives revenues from monthly membership fees for services consisting solely of streaming content to members outside the United States. The Domestic DVD segment derives revenues from monthly membership fees for services consisting solely of DVD-by-mail. Revenues and the related payment card fees are attributed to the operating segment based on the nature of the underlying membership (streaming or DVD) and the geographic region from which the membership originates. There are no internal revenue transactions between the Company’s segments.
The vast majority of the cost of revenues relate to content expenses, which include the amortization of streaming content assets and other costs associated with the licensing and acquisition of streaming content. In connection with the Company's global expansion, content acquired, licensed, and produced increasingly includes global rights. The Company allocates this content between the International and Domestic streaming segments based on estimated fair market value. Content expenses for each streaming segment thus include both expenses directly incurred by the segment as well as an allocation of expenses incurred for global or multi-territory rights. Other costs of revenues such as delivery costs are primarily attributed to the operating segment based on amounts directly incurred by the segment. Marketing expenses consist primarily of advertising expenses and payments made to marketing partners, including consumer electronics ("CE") manufacturers, multichannel video programming distributors ("MVPDs"), mobile operators and internet service providers ("ISPs"), which are generally included in the segment in which the expenditures are directly incurred.
The Company's long-lived tangible assets were located as follows:
 
As of
 
June 30,
2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
(in thousands)
United States
$
286,897

 
$
236,977

International
22,934

 
13,418


The following tables represent segment information for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017:
 
 
As of/ Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
Domestic
Streaming
 
International
Streaming
 
Domestic
DVD
 
Consolidated
 
(in thousands)
Total memberships at end of period (1)
51,921

 
52,031

 
3,758

 
—

Revenues
$
1,505,499

 
$
1,165,228

 
$
114,737

 
$
2,785,464

Cost of revenues
831,962

 
1,017,612

 
52,734

 
1,902,308

Marketing
113,608

 
160,715

 
—

 
274,323

Contribution profit (loss)
$
559,929

 
$
(13,099
)
 
$
62,003

 
$
608,833

Other operating expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
481,026

Operating income
 
 
 
 
 
 
127,807

Other income (expense)
 
 
 
 
 
 
(113,845
)
Benefit from income taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
(51,638
)
Net income
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
65,600

 
As of/ Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
Domestic
Streaming
 
International
Streaming
 
Domestic
DVD
 
Consolidated
 
(in thousands)
Total memberships at end of period (1)
51,921

 
52,031

 
3,758

 
—

Revenues
$
2,975,541

 
$
2,211,427

 
$
235,131

 
$
5,422,099

Cost of revenues
1,581,450

 
1,864,929

 
112,953

 
3,559,332

Marketing
228,646

 
316,947

 
—

 
545,593

Contribution profit
$
1,165,445

 
$
29,551

 
$
122,178

 
$
1,317,174

Other operating expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
932,425

Operating income
 
 
 
 
 
 
384,749

Other income (expense)
 
 
 
 
 
 
(146,995
)
Benefit from income taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
(6,068
)
Net income
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
243,822


The following tables represent segment information for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016:
 
As of/ Three Months Ended June 30, 2016
 
Domestic
Streaming
 
International
Streaming
 
Domestic
DVD
 
Consolidated
 
(in thousands)
Total memberships at end of period (1)
47,129

 
36,048

 
4,530

 
—

Revenues
$
1,208,271

 
$
758,201

 
$
138,732

 
$
2,105,204

Cost of revenues
707,106

 
698,162

 
67,830

 
1,473,098

Marketing
86,806

 
129,223

 
—

 
216,029

Contribution profit (loss)
$
414,359

 
$
(69,184
)
 
$
70,902

 
$
416,077

Other operating expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
345,707

Operating income
 
 
 
 
 
 
70,370

Other income (expense)
 
 
 
 
 
 
(19,138
)
Provision for income taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
10,477

Net income
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
40,755

 
As of/ Six Months Ended June 30, 2016
 
Domestic
Streaming
 
International
Streaming
 
Domestic
DVD
 
Consolidated
 
(in thousands)
Total memberships at end of period (1)
47,129

 
36,048

 
4,530

 
—

Revenues
$
2,369,512

 
$
1,409,949

 
$
283,479

 
$
4,062,940

Cost of revenues
1,373,652

 
1,328,061

 
140,925

 
2,842,638

Marketing
168,748

 
255,291

 
—

 
424,039

Contribution profit (loss)
$
827,112

 
$
(173,403
)
 
$
142,554

 
$
796,263

Other operating expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
676,440

Operating income
 
 
 
 
 
 
119,823

Other income (expense)
 
 
 
 
 
 
(28,712
)
Provision for income taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
22,698

Net income
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
68,413


The following table represents the amortization of content assets:
 
Domestic
Streaming
 
International
Streaming
 
Domestic
DVD
 
Consolidated
 
(in thousands)
Three months ended June 30,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2017
$
696,688

 
$
854,106

 
$
16,511

 
$
1,567,305

2016
581,390

 
593,971

 
20,021

 
1,195,382

Six months ended June 30,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2017
1,305,436

 
1,551,041

 
35,109

 
2,891,586

2016
1,112,129

 
1,121,753

 
40,462

 
2,274,344


(1)
A membership (also referred to as a subscription or a member) is defined as the right to receive Netflix service following sign-up and a method of payment being provided. Memberships are assigned to territories based on the geographic location used at time of sign-up as determined by the Company's internal systems, which utilize industry standard geo-location technology. The Company offers free-trial memberships to certain new and rejoining members. Total members include those who are on a free-trial as long as a method of payment has been provided. A membership is canceled and ceases to be reflected in the above metrics as of the effective cancellation date. Voluntary cancellations become effective at the end of the prepaid membership period, while involuntary cancellation of the service, as a result of a failed method of payment, becomes effective immediately.
v3.7.0.1
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the streaming content asset amortization policy; the recognition and measurement of income tax assets and liabilities; and the valuation of stock-based compensation. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. On a regular basis, the Company evaluates the assumptions, judgments and estimates. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
New Accounting Pronouncements
In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which amends Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation. ASU 2016-09 simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. Under the new standard, all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies are recorded as a component of the provision for income taxes in the reporting period in which they occur. Additionally, ASU 2016-09 requires that the Company present excess tax benefits on the Statement of Cash Flows as an operating activity. ASU 2016-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company adopted ASU 2016-09 in the first quarter of 2017 and elected to apply this adoption prospectively. Prior periods have not been adjusted. See Note 9 for information regarding the impact on the Company’s financial statements.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) which amended the existing accounting standards for revenue recognition. ASU 2014-09 establishes principles for recognizing revenue upon the transfer of promised goods or services to customers, in an amount that reflects the expected consideration received in exchange for those goods or services. In July 2015, the FASB deferred the effective date for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (including interim reporting periods within those periods). Early adoption is permitted to the original effective date for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 (including interim reporting periods within those periods). The amendments may be applied retrospectively to each prior period (full retrospective) or retrospectively with the cumulative effect recognized as of the date of initial application (modified retrospective). The Company will adopt ASU 2014-09 in the first quarter of 2018 and has updated its planned adoption method to the modified retrospective approach. Because the Company's primary source of revenues is from monthly membership fees which are recognized ratably over each monthly membership period, the Company does not expect the impact on its consolidated financial statements to be material.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) in order to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for those leases classified as operating leases under previous GAAP. ASU 2016-02 requires that a lessee should recognize a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term on the balance sheet. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 (including interim periods within those periods) using a modified retrospective approach and early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt ASU 2016-02 in the first quarter of 2019. Although the Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of the ASU on its consolidated financial statements, the Company currently believes the most significant changes will be related to the recognition of new right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on the Company's balance sheet for real estate operating leases.
In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Restricted Cash, which requires amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the total beginning and ending amounts for the periods shown on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-08 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 (including interim periods within those periods) using a retrospective transition method to each period presented and early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt ASU 2016-18 in the first quarter of 2018 and does not expect the impact on its consolidated financial statements to be material.
v3.7.0.1
Earnings Per Share (Tables)
 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]  
Computation of Earnings Per Share
The computation of earnings per share is as follows:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
June 30,
2017
 
June 30,
2016
 
June 30,
2017
 
June 30,
2016
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
Basic earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
65,600

 
$
40,755

 
$
243,822

 
$
68,413

Shares used in computation:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding
431,396

 
428,483

 
431,000

 
428,300

Basic earnings per share
$
0.15

 
$
0.10

 
$
0.57

 
$
0.16

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
65,600

 
$
40,755

 
$
243,822

 
$
68,413

Shares used in computation:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding
431,396

 
428,483

 
431,000

 
428,300

Employee stock options
14,866

 
9,671

 
14,862

 
9,773

Weighted-average number of shares
446,262

 
438,154

 
445,862

 
438,073

Diluted earnings per share
$
0.15

 
$
0.09

 
$
0.55

 
$
0.16
Summary of Potential Common Shares Excluded from Diluted Calculation
The following table summarizes the potential common shares excluded from the diluted calculation:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six months ended
 
June 30,
2017
 
June 30,
2016
 
June 30,
2017
 
June 30,
2016
 
(in thousands)
Employee stock options
215

 
1,930

 
226

 
1,634
v3.7.0.1
Short-term Investments (Tables)
 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
Short-Term Investments And Fair Value Measurement [Abstract]  
Available-For-Sale Securities Reported at Fair Value
The following tables summarize, by major security type, the Company’s assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, the category using the fair value hierarchy and where they are classified on the Consolidated Balance Sheets:
 
As of June 30, 2017
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
Short-term investments
 
Non-current assets (1)
 
(in thousands)
Cash
$
1,348,434

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
1,348,434

 
$
1,344,799

 
$
—

 
$
3,635

Level 1 securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Money market funds
275,248

 


 
—

 
275,248

 
273,978

 
—

 
1,270

Level 2 securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Time Deposits
300,000

 
—

 
—

 
300,000

 
300,000

 
—

 
—

Corporate debt securities
189,190

 
228

 
(392
)
 
189,026

 
—

 
189,026

 
—

Government securities
35,906

 
—

 
(169
)
 
35,737

 
—

 
35,737

 
—

Agency securities
21,569

 
—

 
(207
)
 
21,362

 
—

 
21,362

 
—

Total
$
2,170,347

 
$
228

 
$
(768
)
 
$
2,169,807

 
$
1,918,777

 
$
246,125

 
$
4,905


 
As of December 31, 2016
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
Short-term investments
 
Non-current assets (1)
 
(in thousands)
Cash
$
1,267,523

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
1,267,523

 
$
1,264,126

 
$
—

 
$
3,397

Level 1 securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Money market funds
204,967

 
—

 
—

 
204,967

 
203,450

 
—

 
1,517

Level 2 securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate debt securities
199,843

 
110

 
(731
)
 
199,222

 
—

 
199,222

 
—

Government securities
35,944

 
—

 
(128
)
 
35,816

 
—

 
35,816

 
—

Certificates of deposit
9,833

 
—

 
—

 
9,833

 
—

 
9,833

 
—

Agency securities
21,563

 
—

 
(228
)
 
21,335

 
—

 
21,335

 
—

Total
$
1,739,673

 
$
110

 
$
(1,087
)
 
$
1,738,696

 
$
1,467,576

 
$
266,206

 
$
4,914



(1) Primarily restricted cash that is related to workers compensation deposits and letter of credit agreements.

Estimated Fair Value of Short-Term Investments by Contractual Maturity
The estimated fair value of short-term investments by contractual maturity as of June 30, 2017 is as follows:
 
(in thousands)
Due within one year
$
55,718

Due after one year and through five years
190,407

Total short-term investments
$
246,125
v3.7.0.1
Balance Sheet Components (Tables)
 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
Balance Sheet Components Disclosure [Abstract]  
Content Assets
Content assets consisted of the following:
 
As of
 
June 30,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
 
(in thousands)
Licensed content, net
$
11,195,034

 
$
9,595,315

 
 
 
 
Produced content, net


 


Released, less amortization
861,967

 
335,400

In production
1,057,283

 
1,010,463

In development
95,240

 
34,215

 
2,014,490

 
1,380,078

DVD, net
18,061

 
25,415

Total
$
13,227,585

 
$
11,000,808

 
 
 
 
Current content assets, net
$
4,149,111

 
$
3,726,307

Non-current content assets, net
$
9,078,474

 
$
7,274,501
Property and Equipment, Net
Property and equipment and accumulated depreciation consisted of the following:
 
 
As of
 
 
 
 
June 30,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
 
Estimated Useful Lives

 
 
(in thousands)
 
 
Information technology assets
 
$
213,447

 
$
185,345

 
3 years
Furniture and fixtures
 
45,374

 
32,185

 
3 years
Buildings
 
40,681

 
40,681

 
30 years
Leasehold improvements
 
205,514

 
107,945

 
Over life of lease
DVD operations equipment
 
70,152

 
70,152

 
5 years
Corporate aircraft
 
29,304

 
—

 
8 years
Capital work-in-progress
 
11,409

 
108,296

 

Property and equipment, gross
 
615,881

 
544,604

 
 
Less: Accumulated depreciation
 
(306,050
)
 
(294,209
)
 
 
Property and equipment, net
 
$
309,831

 
$
250,395

 
 
v3.7.0.1
Long-term Debt (Tables)
 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]  
Summary of Long-term Debt
The following table provides a summary of the Company's Notes and the fair values based on quoted market prices in less active markets as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Level 2 Fair Value as of
 
Principal Amount at Par
 
Issuance Date
 
Maturity
 
Interest Payment Dates
 
June 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
3.625% Senior Notes (1)
$
1,484.7

 
May 2017
 
2027
 
May 15 and November 15
 
$
1,513

 
$
—

4.375% Senior Notes
1,000.0

 
October 2016
 
2026
 
May 15 and November 15
 
1,004

 
975

5.50% Senior Notes
700.0

 
February 2015
 
2022
 
April 15 and October 15
 
762

 
758

5.875% Senior Notes
800.0

 
February 2015
 
2025
 
April 15 and October 15
 
888

 
868

5.750% Senior Notes
400.0

 
February 2014
 
2024
 
March 1 and September 1
 
438

 
431

5.375% Senior Notes
500.0

 
February 2013
 
2021
 
February 1 and August 1
 
541

 
539

 
$
4,884.7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

(1) Debt is denominated in euro with a €1,300 million aggregate principal amount and is remeasured into U.S. dollars at each balance sheet date. Total proceeds were $1,420.5 million and remeasurement loss on long-term debt was $64.2 million for the three months ending June 30, 2017.
v3.7.0.1
Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)
 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Expected Timing of Payments for Commitments
The expected timing of payments for these streaming content obligations is as follows:
 
As of 
 
June 30,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
 
(in thousands)
Less than one year
$
6,592,517

 
$
6,200,611

Due after one year and through three years
7,461,470

 
6,731,336

Due after three years and through five years
1,488,760

 
1,386,934

Due after five years
156,640

 
160,606

Total streaming content obligations
$
15,699,387

 
$
14,479,487
v3.7.0.1
Stockholders' Equity (Tables)
 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
Stockholders' Equity and Stock-based Compensation Disclosure [Abstract]  
Summary of Activity Related to Stock Option Plans
A summary of the activities related to the Company’s stock option plans is as follows:
 
 
 
Options Outstanding
 
 
 
 
 
Shares
Available
for Grant
 
Number of
Shares
 
Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
(per share)
 
Weighted-Average Remaining
Contractual Term
(in years)
 
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(in thousands)
Balances as of December 31, 2016
13,289,953

 
22,437,347

 
$
44.83

 
 
 
 
Granted
(1,374,941
)
 
1,374,941

 
145.41

 
 
 
 
Exercised
—

 
(1,695,532
)
 
23.11

 
 
 
 
Expired
—

 
(1,561
)
 
$
3.25

 
 
 
 
Balances as of June 30, 2017
11,915,012

 
22,115,195

 
$
52.75

 
6.11
 
$
2,141,769

Vested and exercisable as of June 30, 2017
 
 
22,115,195

 
$
52.75

 
6.11
 
$
2,141,769
Summary of Amounts Related to Option Exercises
A summary of the amounts related to option exercises, is as follows:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
June 30,
2017
 
June 30,
2016
 
June 30,
2017
 
June 30,
2016
 
(in thousands)
Total intrinsic value of options exercised
$
101,727

 
$
37,268

 
$
208,824

 
$
68,725

Cash received from options exercised
$
14,826

 
$
4,232

 
$
39,004

 
$
7,768
Summary of Assumptions Used to Value Stock Option Grants Using Lattice-Binomial Model
The following table summarizes the assumptions used to value option grants using the lattice-binomial model and the valuation data:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
June 30,
2017
 
June 30,
2016
 
June 30,
2017
 
June 30,
2016
Dividend yield
—
%
 
—
%
 
—
%
 
—
%
Expected volatility
34
%
 
45
%
 
34% - 37%

 
45% - 50%

Risk-free interest rate
2.37
%
 
1.83
%
 
2.37%- 2.45%

 
1.83% - 2.04%

Suboptimal exercise factor
2.51

 
2.48

 
2.48 - 2.51

 
2.48

Weighted-average fair value (per share)
$
67.21

 
$
48.38

 
$
64.67

 
$
49.52

Total stock-based compensation expense (in thousands)
$
44,028

 
$
44,112

 
$
88,916

 
$
86,534

Total income tax impact on provision (in thousands)
$
14,477

 
$
16,571

 
$
29,178

 
$
32,534
v3.7.0.1
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)
 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
Equity [Abstract]  
Schedule of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The following table summarizes the changes in the accumulated balance of other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017:

 
Foreign currency
 
Change in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities
 
Total
 
(in thousands)
Balance as of March 31, 2017
$
(45,387
)
 
$
(472
)
 
$
(45,859
)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
14,347

 
144

 
14,491

Net decrease in other comprehensive loss
14,347

 
144

 
14,491

Balance as of June 30, 2017
$
(31,040
)
 
$
(328
)
 
$
(31,368
)


 
Foreign currency
 
Change in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities
 
Total
 
(in thousands)
Balance as of December 31, 2016
$
(47,966
)
 
$
(599
)
 
$
(48,565
)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
16,926

 
271

 
17,197

Net decrease in other comprehensive loss
16,926

 
271

 
17,197

Balance as of June 30, 2017
$
(31,040
)
 
$
(328
)
 
$
(31,368
)
v3.7.0.1
Segment Information (Tables)
 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]  
Long-lived Assets by Geographic Areas
The Company's long-lived tangible assets were located as follows:
 
As of
 
June 30,
2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
(in thousands)
United States
$
286,897

 
$
236,977

International
22,934

 
13,418
Information on Reportable Segments And Reconciliation To Consolidated Net Income
The following tables represent segment information for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017:
 
 
As of/ Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
Domestic
Streaming
 
International
Streaming
 
Domestic
DVD
 
Consolidated
 
(in thousands)
Total memberships at end of period (1)
51,921

 
52,031

 
3,758

 
—

Revenues
$
1,505,499

 
$
1,165,228

 
$
114,737

 
$
2,785,464

Cost of revenues
831,962

 
1,017,612

 
52,734

 
1,902,308

Marketing
113,608

 
160,715

 
—

 
274,323

Contribution profit (loss)
$
559,929

 
$
(13,099
)
 
$
62,003

 
$
608,833

Other operating expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
481,026

Operating income
 
 
 
 
 
 
127,807

Other income (expense)
 
 
 
 
 
 
(113,845
)
Benefit from income taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
(51,638
)
Net income
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
65,600

 
As of/ Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
Domestic
Streaming
 
International
Streaming
 
Domestic
DVD
 
Consolidated
 
(in thousands)
Total memberships at end of period (1)
51,921

 
52,031

 
3,758

 
—

Revenues
$
2,975,541

 
$
2,211,427

 
$
235,131

 
$
5,422,099

Cost of revenues
1,581,450

 
1,864,929

 
112,953

 
3,559,332

Marketing
228,646

 
316,947

 
—

 
545,593

Contribution profit
$
1,165,445

 
$
29,551

 
$
122,178

 
$
1,317,174

Other operating expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
932,425

Operating income
 
 
 
 
 
 
384,749

Other income (expense)
 
 
 
 
 
 
(146,995
)
Benefit from income taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
(6,068
)
Net income
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
243,822


The following tables represent segment information for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016:
 
As of/ Three Months Ended June 30, 2016
 
Domestic
Streaming
 
International
Streaming
 
Domestic
DVD
 
Consolidated
 
(in thousands)
Total memberships at end of period (1)
47,129

 
36,048

 
4,530

 
—

Revenues
$
1,208,271

 
$
758,201

 
$
138,732

 
$
2,105,204

Cost of revenues
707,106

 
698,162

 
67,830

 
1,473,098

Marketing
86,806

 
129,223

 
—

 
216,029

Contribution profit (loss)
$
414,359

 
$
(69,184
)
 
$
70,902

 
$
416,077

Other operating expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
345,707

Operating income
 
 
 
 
 
 
70,370

Other income (expense)
 
 
 
 
 
 
(19,138
)
Provision for income taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
10,477

Net income
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
40,755

 
As of/ Six Months Ended June 30, 2016
 
Domestic
Streaming
 
International
Streaming
 
Domestic
DVD
 
Consolidated
 
(in thousands)
Total memberships at end of period (1)
47,129

 
36,048

 
4,530

 
—

Revenues
$
2,369,512

 
$
1,409,949

 
$
283,479

 
$
4,062,940

Cost of revenues
1,373,652

 
1,328,061

 
140,925

 
2,842,638

Marketing
168,748

 
255,291

 
—

 
424,039

Contribution profit (loss)
$
827,112

 
$
(173,403
)
 
$
142,554

 
$
796,263

Other operating expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
676,440

Operating income
 
 
 
 
 
 
119,823

Other income (expense)
 
 
 
 
 
 
(28,712
)
Provision for income taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
22,698

Net income
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
68,413


The following table represents the amortization of content assets:
 
Domestic
Streaming
 
International
Streaming
 
Domestic
DVD
 
Consolidated
 
(in thousands)
Three months ended June 30,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2017
$
696,688

 
$
854,106

 
$
16,511

 
$
1,567,305

2016
581,390

 
593,971

 
20,021

 
1,195,382

Six months ended June 30,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2017
1,305,436

 
1,551,041

 
35,109

 
2,891,586

2016
1,112,129

 
1,121,753

 
40,462

 
2,274,344


(1)
A membership (also referred to as a subscription or a member) is defined as the right to receive Netflix service following sign-up and a method of payment being provided. Memberships are assigned to territories based on the geographic location used at time of sign-up as determined by the Company's internal systems, which utilize industry standard geo-location technology. The Company offers free-trial memberships to certain new and rejoining members. Total members include those who are on a free-trial as long as a method of payment has been provided. A membership is canceled and ceases to be reflected in the above metrics as of the effective cancellation date. Voluntary cancellations become effective at the end of the prepaid membership period, while involuntary cancellation of the service, as a result of a failed method of payment, becomes effective immediately.
v3.7.0.1
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details)
 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
segment
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Number of reportable segments 3
v3.7.0.1
Earnings Per Share - Computation of Net Income Per Share (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
Jun. 30, 2016
Jun. 30, 2017
Jun. 30, 2016
Basic earnings per share:        
Net income $ 65,600 $ 40,755 $ 243,822 $ 68,413
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in shares) 431,396 428,483 431,000 428,300
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share) $ 0.15 $ 0.10 $ 0.57 $ 0.16
Diluted earnings per share:        
Net income $ 65,600 $ 40,755 $ 243,822 $ 68,413
Shares used in computation:        
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in shares) 431,396 428,483 431,000 428,300
Employee stock options (in shares) 14,866 9,671 14,862 9,773
Weighted-average number of shares (in shares) 446,262 438,154 445,862 438,073
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share) $ 0.15 $ 0.09 $ 0.55 $ 0.16
v3.7.0.1
Earnings Per Share - Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share (Details) - shares
shares in Thousands
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
Jun. 30, 2016
Jun. 30, 2017
Jun. 30, 2016
Employee stock options        
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]        
Employee stock options (in shares) 215 1,930 226 1,634
v3.7.0.1
Short-term Investments - Available-For-Sale Securities Reported At Fair Value (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
Jun. 30, 2016
Jun. 30, 2017
Jun. 30, 2016
Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]          
Other than temporary impairment losses, investments, available-for-sale securities $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0  
Available-for-sale securities, gross realized gain (loss), excluding other than temporary impairments 0 $ 0 0 $ 0  
Level 1 Securities | Money market funds          
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]          
Cash and Money Market Funds, Estimated Fair Value 275,248   275,248   $ 204,967
Level 2 Securities | Certificates of deposit          
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]          
Level 2 securities, Estimated Fair Value         9,833
Cash          
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]          
Cash and Money Market Funds, Estimated Fair Value 1,348,434   1,348,434   1,267,523
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring          
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]          
Level 2 securities, Gross Unrealized Gains 228   228   110
Level 2 securities, Gross Unrealized Losses (768)   (768)   (1,087)
Total, amortized cost 2,170,347   2,170,347   1,739,673
Total, estimated fair value 2,169,807   2,169,807   1,738,696
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 Securities | Money market funds          
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]          
Cash and Money Market Funds, Amortized Cost 275,248   275,248   204,967
Cash and Money Market Funds, Estimated Fair Value 273,978   273,978   203,450
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash, Noncurrent Assets 1,270   1,270   1,517
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 Securities | Time deposits          
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]          
Level 2 securities, Estimated Fair Value 300,000   300,000    
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 Securities | Time deposits          
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]          
Level 2 securities, Amortized Cost 300,000   300,000    
Level 2 securities, Estimated Fair Value 300,000   300,000    
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 Securities | Corporate debt securities          
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]          
Level 2 securities, Amortized Cost 189,190   189,190   199,843
Level 2 securities, Gross Unrealized Gains 228   228   110
Level 2 securities, Gross Unrealized Losses (392)   (392)   (731)
Level 2 securities, Estimated Fair Value 189,026   189,026   199,222
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 Securities | Government securities          
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]          
Level 2 securities, Amortized Cost 35,906   35,906   35,944
Level 2 securities, Gross Unrealized Losses (169)   (169)   (128)
Level 2 securities, Estimated Fair Value 35,737   35,737   35,816
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 Securities | Certificates of deposit          
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]          
Level 2 securities, Amortized Cost         9,833
Level 2 securities, Estimated Fair Value         9,833
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 Securities | Agency securities          
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]          
Level 2 securities, Amortized Cost 21,569   21,569   21,563
Level 2 securities, Gross Unrealized Losses (207)   (207)   (228)
Level 2 securities, Estimated Fair Value 21,362   21,362   21,335
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Cash          
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]          
Cash and Money Market Funds, Amortized Cost 1,348,434   1,348,434   1,267,523
Cash and Money Market Funds, Estimated Fair Value 1,344,799   1,344,799   1,264,126
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash, Noncurrent Assets 3,635   3,635   3,397
Cash and Cash Equivalents | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring          
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]          
Total, estimated fair value 1,918,777   1,918,777   1,467,576
Short-term Investments | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring          
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]          
Total, estimated fair value 246,125   246,125   266,206
Non-current Assets | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring          
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]          
Total, estimated fair value [1] $ 4,905   $ 4,905   $ 4,914
[1] Primarily restricted cash that is related to workers compensation deposits and letter of credit agreements.
v3.7.0.1
Short-term Investments - Estimated Fair Value Of Short-Term Investments By Contractual Maturity (Details)
$ in Thousands
Jun. 30, 2017
USD ($)
Short-Term Investments And Fair Value Measurement [Abstract]  
Due within one year $ 55,718
Due after one year and through five years 190,407
Total short-term investments $ 246,125
v3.7.0.1
Balance Sheet Components - Components of Content Assets (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]    
Content assets, net $ 13,227,585 $ 11,000,808
Current content assets, net 4,149,111 3,726,307
Non-current content assets, net 9,078,474 7,274,501
Licensed content    
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]    
Net content 11,195,034 9,595,315
Produced content    
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]    
Net content 861,967 335,400
In production 1,057,283 1,010,463
In development 95,240 34,215
Content assets, net $ 2,014,490 1,380,078
Produced content amortization percentage over one year 29.00%  
Produced content amortization percent over three years 77.00%  
Produced content amortization period over the next 48 months (more than) 80.00%  
DVD    
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]    
Content assets, net $ 18,061 $ 25,415
v3.7.0.1
Balance Sheet Components - Property And Equipment And Accumulated Depreciation (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Property and equipment, gross $ 615,881 $ 544,604
Less: Accumulated depreciation (306,050) (294,209)
Property and equipment, net 309,831 250,395
Accrued participation liabilities, due in next operating cycle 0  
Information technology assets    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Property and equipment, gross $ 213,447 185,345
Estimated Useful Lives 3 years  
Furniture and fixtures    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Property and equipment, gross $ 45,374 32,185
Estimated Useful Lives 3 years  
Buildings    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Property and equipment, gross $ 40,681 40,681
Estimated Useful Lives 30 years  
Leasehold improvements    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Property and equipment, gross $ 205,514 107,945
DVD operations equipment    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Property and equipment, gross $ 70,152 70,152
Estimated Useful Lives 5 years  
Corporate aircraft    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Property and equipment, gross $ 29,304 0
Estimated Useful Lives 8 years  
Capital work-in-progress    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Property and equipment, gross $ 11,409 $ 108,296
v3.7.0.1
Long-term Debt - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]    
Aggregate outstanding principal $ 4,836,502 $ 3,364,311
Debt issuance cost $ 48,200  
Senior Notes    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Redemption prices, percent of outstanding principal 101.00%  
v3.7.0.1
Long-term Debt - Summary of Long-term Debt (Details)
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
USD ($)
Jun. 30, 2016
USD ($)
Jun. 30, 2017
USD ($)
Jun. 30, 2016
USD ($)
Jun. 30, 2017
EUR (€)
Jun. 30, 2017
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2016
USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]              
Principal amount at par           $ 4,884,700,000  
Foreign currency remeasurement loss on long-term debt $ 64,220,000 $ 0 $ 64,220,000 $ 0      
Senior Notes | 3.625% Senior Notes              
Debt Instrument [Line Items]              
Principal amount at par         € 1,300,000,000.0 1,484,700,000.0  
Fair value           $ 1,513,000,000 $ 0
Interest rate         3.625% 3.625%  
Proceeds from convertible debt     1,420,500,000        
Foreign currency remeasurement loss on long-term debt     $ 64,200,000        
Senior Notes | 4.375% Senior Notes              
Debt Instrument [Line Items]              
Principal amount at par           $ 1,000,000,000  
Fair value           $ 1,004,000,000 975,000,000
Interest rate         4.375% 4.375%  
Senior Notes | 5.50% Senior Notes              
Debt Instrument [Line Items]              
Principal amount at par           $ 700,000,000  
Fair value           $ 762,000,000 758,000,000
Interest rate         5.50% 5.50%  
Senior Notes | 5.875% Senior Notes              
Debt Instrument [Line Items]              
Principal amount at par           $ 800,000,000  
Fair value           $ 888,000,000 868,000,000
Interest rate         5.875% 5.875%  
Senior Notes | 5.750% Senior Notes              
Debt Instrument [Line Items]              
Principal amount at par           $ 400,000,000  
Fair value           $ 438,000,000 431,000,000
Interest rate         5.75% 5.75%  
Senior Notes | 5.375% Senior Notes              
Debt Instrument [Line Items]              
Principal amount at par           $ 500,000,000  
Fair value           $ 541,000,000 $ 539,000,000
Interest rate         5.375% 5.375%  
v3.7.0.1
Commitments and Contingencies - Streaming Content - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Jun. 30, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Contractual Obligation [Line Items]    
Streaming obligations included in current content liabilities $ 15,699,387 $ 14,479,487
Streaming obligations not reflected on Consolidated Balance Sheets 8,200,000 8,000,000
Current Content Liabilities    
Contractual Obligation [Line Items]    
Streaming obligations included in non-current content liabilities 4,100,000 3,600,000
Non-current Content Liabilities    
Contractual Obligation [Line Items]    
Streaming obligations included in non-current content liabilities $ 3,400,000 $ 2,900,000
v3.7.0.1
Commitments and Contingencies - Expected Timing of Payments for Commitments (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Jun. 30, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]    
Less than one year $ 6,592,517 $ 6,200,611
Due after one year and through three years 7,461,470 6,731,336
Due after three years and through five years 1,488,760 1,386,934
Due after five years 156,640 160,606
Total streaming content obligations $ 15,699,387 $ 14,479,487
v3.7.0.1
Commitments and Contingencies - Legal Proceedings - Narrative (Details)
Jun. 30, 2017
USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and contingencies $ 0
v3.7.0.1
Stockholders' Equity (Narrative) (Details)
shares in Millions
Jun. 30, 2017
shares
2011 Stock Plan  
Components of Stockholders' Equity [Line Items]  
Shares reserved for future issuance 11.9
v3.7.0.1
Stockholders' Equity - Summary of Activity Related to Stock Option Plans (Details)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands
 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
USD ($)
$ / shares
shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]  
Shares available for grant, beginning balance 13,289,953
Options outstanding, number of shares, beginning balance 22,437,347
Shares available for grant, granted (1,374,941)
Options outstanding, number of shares, exercised (1,695,532)
Shares available for grant, expired (1,561)
Options outstanding, number of shares, ending balance 22,115,195
Shares available for grant, ending balance 11,915,012
Options vested and exercisable, number of shares, ending balance 22,115,195
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Roll Forward]  
Options outstanding, weighted-average exercise price, beginning balance (dollars per share) | $ / shares $ 44.83
Options outstanding, weighted-average exercise price, granted (dollars per share) | $ / shares 145.41
Options outstanding, weighted-average exercise price, exercised (dollars per share) | $ / shares 23.11
Options outstanding, weighted-average exercise price, canceled (dollars per share) | $ / shares 3.25
Options outstanding, weighted-average exercise price, ending balance (dollars per share) | $ / shares 52.75
Options outstanding, weighted-average exercise price, vested and exercisable (dollars per share) | $ / shares $ 52.75
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]  
Weighted-average remaining contractual term, ending balance (in years) 6 years 1 month 10 days
Weighted-average remaining contractual term, vested and exercisable (in years) 6 years 1 month 10 days
Aggregate intrinsic value, ending balance | $ $ 2,141,769
Aggregate intrinsic value, vested and exercisable | $ $ 2,141,769
v3.7.0.1
Stockholders' Equity - Summary of Amounts Related to Option Exercises (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
Jun. 30, 2016
Jun. 30, 2017
Jun. 30, 2016
Equity [Abstract]        
Total intrinsic value of options exercised $ 101,727 $ 37,268 $ 208,824 $ 68,725
Cash received from options exercised $ 14,826 $ 4,232 $ 39,004 $ 7,768
v3.7.0.1
Stockholders' Equity - Summary of Assumptions Used to Value Stock Option Grants Using Lattice-Binomial Model (Details)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
USD ($)
$ / shares
Jun. 30, 2016
USD ($)
$ / shares
Jun. 30, 2017
USD ($)
$ / shares
Jun. 30, 2016
USD ($)
$ / shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Share-based payment award, expiration period (in years)     10 years  
Dividend yield 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Expected volatility 34.00% 45.00%    
Risk-free interest rate 2.37% 1.83%    
Suboptimal exercise factor 2.51 2.48   2.48
Weighted-average fair value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares $ 67.21 $ 48.38 $ 64.67 $ 49.52
Stock-based compensation expense $ 44,028 $ 44,112 $ 88,916 $ 86,534
Total income tax impact on provision (in thousands) $ 14,477 $ 16,571 $ 29,178 $ 32,534
Minimum        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Expected volatility     34.00% 45.00%
Risk-free interest rate     2.37% 1.83%
Suboptimal exercise factor     2.48  
Maximum        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Expected volatility     37.00% 50.00%
Risk-free interest rate     2.45% 2.04%
Suboptimal exercise factor     2.51  
v3.7.0.1
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
Jun. 30, 2017
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]    
Beginning Balance   $ 2,679,800
Ending Balance $ 3,112,500 3,112,500
Foreign currency    
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]    
Beginning Balance (45,387) (47,966)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 14,347 16,926
Net decrease (increase) in other comprehensive loss 14,347 16,926
Ending Balance (31,040) (31,040)
Change in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities    
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]    
Beginning Balance (472) (599)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 144 271
Net decrease (increase) in other comprehensive loss 144 271
Ending Balance (328) (328)
AOCI Attributable to Parent    
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]    
Beginning Balance (45,859) (48,565)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 14,491 17,197
Net decrease (increase) in other comprehensive loss 14,491 17,197
Ending Balance $ (31,368) $ (31,368)
v3.7.0.1
Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
Jun. 30, 2016
Jun. 30, 2017
Jun. 30, 2016
Mar. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]            
Effective tax rates (370.00%) 20.00% (3.00%) 25.00%    
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]            
Unrecognized tax benefits $ 29.3   $ 29.3     $ 19.7
Reduction in provision for income taxes due to impact of effective tax rate 25.8   25.8      
Deferred tax assets classified as other non-current assets 318.2   318.2     $ 227.2
Deferred tax assets, valuation allowance 21.9   21.9      
Other Noncurrent Liabilities            
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]            
Increase in unrecognized tax benefits is reasonably possible 8.9   8.9      
Other Noncurrent Assets            
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]            
Unrecognized tax benefits 20.4   20.4      
Accounting Standards Update 2016-09            
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]            
Increase to deferred tax assets 43.6   43.6      
Effective income tax rate reconciliation, share-based compensation, excess tax benefit $ 32.8   $ 68.8      
Retained Earnings | Accounting Standards Update 2016-09            
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]            
Cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings         $ 43.6  
v3.7.0.1
Segment Information - Narrative (Details)
 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]  
Number of reportable segments 3
International Streaming  
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]  
Number of reportable segments 1
v3.7.0.1
Segment Information - Long-lived Assets by Geographical Areas (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Jun. 30, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
United States    
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]    
Long-lived tangible assets $ 286,897 $ 236,977
International    
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]    
Long-lived tangible assets $ 22,934 $ 13,418
v3.7.0.1
Segment Information - Information On Reportable Segments And Reconciliation To Consolidated Net Income (Details)
subscription in Thousands, $ in Thousands
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
USD ($)
subscription
Jun. 30, 2016
USD ($)
subscription
Jun. 30, 2017
USD ($)
subscription
Jun. 30, 2016
USD ($)
subscription
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Total memberships at end of period | subscription [1] 0 0 0 0
Revenues $ 2,785,464 $ 2,105,204 $ 5,422,099 $ 4,062,940
Cost of revenues 1,902,308 1,473,098 3,559,332 2,842,638
Marketing 274,323 216,029 545,593 424,039
Contribution profit (loss) 608,833 416,077 1,317,174 796,263
Other operating expenses 481,026 345,707 932,425 676,440
Operating income 127,807 70,370 384,749 119,823
Other income (expense) (113,845) (19,138) (146,995) (28,712)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes (51,638) 10,477 (6,068) 22,698
Net income 65,600 40,755 243,822 68,413
Amortization of content assets $ 1,567,305 $ 1,195,382 $ 2,891,586 $ 2,274,344
Domestic Streaming        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Total memberships at end of period | subscription [1] 51,921 47,129 51,921 47,129
Revenues $ 1,505,499 $ 1,208,271 $ 2,975,541 $ 2,369,512
Cost of revenues 831,962 707,106 1,581,450 1,373,652
Marketing 113,608 86,806 228,646 168,748
Contribution profit (loss) 559,929 414,359 1,165,445 827,112
Amortization of content assets $ 696,688 $ 581,390 $ 1,305,436 $ 1,112,129
International Streaming        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Total memberships at end of period | subscription [1] 52,031 36,048 52,031 36,048
Revenues $ 1,165,228 $ 758,201 $ 2,211,427 $ 1,409,949
Cost of revenues 1,017,612 698,162 1,864,929 1,328,061
Marketing 160,715 129,223 316,947 255,291
Contribution profit (loss) (13,099) (69,184) 29,551 (173,403)
Amortization of content assets $ 854,106 $ 593,971 $ 1,551,041 $ 1,121,753
Domestic DVD        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Total memberships at end of period | subscription [1] 3,758 4,530 3,758 4,530
Revenues $ 114,737 $ 138,732 $ 235,131 $ 283,479
Cost of revenues 52,734 67,830 112,953 140,925
Marketing 0 0 0 0
Contribution profit (loss) 62,003 70,902 122,178 142,554
Amortization of content assets $ 16,511 $ 20,021 $ 35,109 $ 40,462
[1] A membership (also referred to as a subscription or a member) is defined as the right to receive Netflix service following sign-up and a method of payment being provided. Memberships are assigned to territories based on the geographic location used at time of sign-up as determined by the Company's internal systems, which utilize industry standard geo-location technology. The Company offers free-trial memberships to certain new and rejoining members. Total members include those who are on a free-trial as long as a method of payment has been provided. A membership is canceled and ceases to be reflected in the above metrics as of the effective cancellation date. Voluntary cancellations become effective at the end of the prepaid membership period, while involuntary cancellation of the service, as a result of a failed method of payment, becomes effective immediately.