Netflix has become one of the world’s largest streaming platforms, changing the way we consume movies, TV shows, and documentaries. Since its inception in 1997 as a DVD rental service by mail, the company has undergone an incredible transformation to adapt to technological changes and new consumer demands.

Today, with millions of subscribers in over 190 countries, Netflix is known for its vast catalog of original and licensed content, and it has become a cultural phenomenon that shapes global entertainment.

However, behind this success lie many fascinating curiosities that few people know. From innovative marketing strategies to surprising viewing statistics, Netflix’s story is filled with interesting facts that reveal the secrets of its meteoric rise. In this text, we will explore some of these curiosities and better understand the impact of this streaming giant.

1 – NETFLIX WAS LIKE A VIDEO STORE

Netflix started in 1997, founded by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph in California, USA. Initially, the company operated as a DVD rental service by mail, an innovative business model at the time.

Customers accessed the Netflix website, selected the movies they wanted to rent, and the DVDs were shipped directly to their homes.

The company’s distinguishing feature was the absence of late fees, which set it apart from traditional video rental services.

The idea for Netflix came about after Hastings was frustrated by having to pay a late fee for returning a movie.

From there, he and Randolph began exploring the concept of a more convenient rental service. With the advancement of the internet and the rise of broadband in the early 2000s, Netflix began experimenting with video streaming, which eventually transformed the company into one of the world’s largest entertainment platforms.

2 – ALMOST WORLDWIDE

Netflix’s streaming service is available in nearly every country, except for China, North Korea, Crimea, Russia, and Syria.

In Russia, access to Netflix was suspended at the beginning of the war with Ukraine as a form of sanction for the invasion. The company also refused to comply with a Russian government demand to include state broadcaster programming in its catalog.

3 – CODES

Netflix’s algorithm is so precise that it can recommend exactly what we like to watch. However, sometimes we want to explore something different, outside of the usual suggestions. For this, there are hidden categories that can be accessed by logging into the service on a desktop.

Simply type into your browser: https://www.netflix.com/br/browse/genre/xxx/, replacing “xxx” with the number corresponding to the desired category. For example, Action & Adventure is 1365, Anime is 7424, and Movies for Kids & Family is 783.

If you’re in the mood for a Christmas marathon, use 1474017 for Christmas movies for Kids & Family or 1476024 for 90s Christmas movies. Classics are found under 31574, and Comedies are under 6548.

It’s worth noting that these are not “hidden” movies and shows but rather subcategories that do not appear directly in the standard navigation, helping to find more specific content.

4 – NETFLIX AT THE OSCARS

There is considerable controversy among filmmakers about whether Netflix productions should compete at the Oscars. Although the platform has original films, some critics believe these are “TV movies” and should, therefore, be included in the Emmys, which are dedicated to television productions. One of the most prominent opponents to the presence of streaming platforms at the Oscars is director Steven Spielberg.

For this reason, the 95th Academy Awards, scheduled for March 2023, allowed only films that premiered in theaters between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2022, to be eligible. For instance, to qualify for the 2019 Oscars, the film “Roma” had to have a limited theater run before being made available for streaming.

5 – HE WHO LAUGHS LAST, LAUGHS BEST

Blockbuster was once a giant in the VHS and DVD rental market. In September 2000, Marc Randolph and Reed Hastings, the founders of Netflix, met with Blockbuster’s executives to propose that they buy Netflix, which at the time was struggling with debt and close to closing down. In the book “That Will Never Work”, Randolph recounts that the offer was seen as a joke by Blockbuster.

“As soon as I saw it, I knew what was happening: John Antioco was trying not to laugh”, he recalls.

Ironically, despite recent subscriber losses, Netflix achieved a revenue of US$7.87 billion in 2022 and a profit of US$1.6 billion in the first quarter, while Blockbuster ceased operations in 2014.

6 – DOES IT TAKE A LONG TIME TO CHOOSE A MOVIE?

Many users might spend a considerable amount of time browsing the catalog before choosing something, but that’s not the case for most. In 2016, Netflix studied the behavior of its subscribers and found that, on average, people take only 60 to 90 seconds to decide and start watching a movie or series.

While this time may seem short, Netflix explained that this interval is sufficient for users to quickly view between 10 and 20 titles in the catalog. It’s worth noting that this research was conducted before several changes to the app, both for mobile and TV, which have likely made navigation even easier and more intuitive.

7 – NETFLIX’S FIRST ORIGINAL FILM AND SERIES

Netflix releases many original content pieces each month, but few remember the very first one. The first original production from the service was “Example Show,” a series that debuted in 2010 and lasts only 11 minutes. In it, the “protagonist” walks around a house holding a notebook, performs Michael Jackson’s moonwalk, and recites a Shakespeare monologue. The title is still available in the U.S. catalog.

In fact, “Example Show” was just an initial test of what would become a major investment area for Netflix in the future.

The first major success for the platform came only in 2013 with the launch of the first season of “House of Cards”.

Netflix has established itself as one of the largest entertainment platforms in the world, revolutionizing the way we consume movies, TV shows, and documentaries. From its modest beginnings as a DVD rental service by mail to becoming a streaming giant, Netflix’s journey is marked by innovation, challenges, and bold bets. Its curiosities, such as the failed attempt to be acquired by Blockbuster and the development of a powerful algorithm to personalize user experience, show how the company has always been ahead of its time.

Massive investment in original content and adaptation to different markets also illustrate its ability to evolve and grow continually.

Despite fierce competition and changes in the digital media landscape, Netflix continues to reinvent itself, remaining relevant and captivating audiences worldwide with engaging stories and quality productions.