How Netflix is Changing The World and Why I Want To Work There

It seems impossible to remember the days before Netflix turned “bingeing” into a positive word. Before 2008, “bingeing” was associated with trips to Baskin Robbins during bouts with low self-esteem.

Since the dawn of television viewers have had to adapt their schedules to the program schedule of their favorite shows. By the early 2000s, the average American’s evening had adapted to no more than dinner and several hours of television before going to bed. We had become used to waiting for our favorite shows and channel surfing in the time between our shows.

Netflix also eliminated the need for commercials by giving users the option to pay their way out of endless ads. Network television has 16 minutes of commercials every hour meaning for every 3 hours of television, we watch 48 minutes of commercials.

Thats 12.1 days per year of commercials.

Netflix users watch none.

By putting viewing patterns back in the hands of the audience, Netflix has changed the ways in which we watch and why we watch.

Here are some examples…

Netflix can act as a babysitter, therapist, or date night.

One of the keys to Netflix’s success is their different approach to original content. Unlike network television, Netflix commits to full seasons once a series has been greenlit. Networks are famous for killing series after only one or two episodes if ratings are acceptable.

Subscribers have a better chance of seeing their Netflix original shows get renewed based on quality, not the luck of the timeslot they are stuck in.

Which is important because…

Consider the two models:

Network + Cable Television: revenue comes from ad sponsors who judge show value based on time slot ratings.

Primary goal: viewership

VERSUS

Netflix: revenue comes from subscribers. Shows are valued on viewers.

Primary goal: new subscribers AND happy subscribers

The difference is great and allows Netflix to grow its content without ad sponsors. Its decision making is directly connected to its audience. Viewership is a secondary goal. Primary goal is new subscribers. Netflix only gets new subscribers through producing quality content.

Networks are focused on viewership which means they make decisions based on increasing ratings, not making better shows. This leads to lots of reality TV and swapping out singing judges every season based on who is popular.

What’s the difference? Both companies offer television.

The difference is subscribers feel they are getting major value from their Netflix account. Netflix is easy to take on-the-go, it’s inexpensive, always fresh, high-quality 4k, with incredible original shows and movies.

Netflix should cost $75 if you fairly compare it to its competitors in the marketplace. Perhaps more. But it doesn’t.

Life is short. Work should be fulfilling. I have an unhealthy passion for movies and television (so unhealthy that I moved to Hollywood and perform improv and write pilot after pilot).

Netflix has three of the most important factors I look for in a company:

How could an employee not rush to the office each morning, excited to work for a company like that?

Most importantly, Netflix is very open about how they treat their employees and what they expect from those they hire. There are no “entry-level” jobs. The Netflix team is aligned and ready to change entertainment.

Here is the famous Culture Deck from Netflix. Read all 128 pages. It will change how you feel about business.

I’ll gladly clean bathrooms and trim the hedges outside but I’m also a pretty great marketing mind with a love for bad 80’s movies and British television (See Detectorists).

So if you need help with social media, content creation, marketing, or analytics give me a ring.

I’ll be right over.

Here’s me…

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