What was Netflix's original business model?

Netflix started as a DVD rental service, offering members unlimited rentals without due dates or late fees.

When did Netflix introduce streaming?

Netflix introduced streaming on its platform in 2007, marking a significant shift in its business model.

What were some of Netflix's first original series?

Netflix's first original series included "Hemlock Grove," "Orange Is the New Black," "House of Cards," and "Arrested Development," which debuted in 2013.

Home / Business and Economy / Netflix's Remarkable Journey: From DVD Rentals to Global Streaming Dominance

Netflix's Remarkable Journey: From DVD Rentals to Global Streaming Dominance

14 Nov, 2025

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Summary

Netflix launched in 1997 as a DVD rental service
Introduced streaming in 2007, expanded globally by 2011
Produced first original series in 2013, winning major awards
Reached 200 million subscribers worldwide by 2021

Netflix's Remarkable Journey: From DVD Rentals to Global Streaming Dominance

In 2025, Netflix stands as a global streaming giant, a far cry from its origins as a DVD rental service founded in 1997 by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph. The company's remarkable journey began when it launched Netflix.com as the first-ever DVD rental and sales site in 1998, offering members unlimited rentals without due dates or late fees.

Over the years, Netflix has continued to innovate and expand. In 2000, the platform introduced a movie recommendation system that used members' ratings to predict future choices. By 2002, Netflix had gone public, and by 2003, its membership had surpassed 1 million. Streaming was introduced in 2007, and the platform expanded to Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean in the following years.