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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q10-Q/A
Amendment No. 1
 
(Mark One)
ýQUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2012
OR

oTRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                  to                 
Commission File Number: 000-49802
 
Netflix, Inc.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware77-0467272
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
100 Winchester Circle, Los Gatos, California 95032
(Address and zip code of principal executive offices)
(408) 540-3700
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ý    No  o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ý    No   o  
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
Large accelerated filerý Accelerated filero
Non-accelerated filero(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)Smaller reporting companyo
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  o    No  ý
As of September 30, 2012, there were 55,545,531 shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.001, outstanding.



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EXPLANATORY NOTE
Netflix, Inc. is filing this Amendment No. 1 to its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended September 30, 2012, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 29, 2012, to correct a typographical error in “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”  The Company disclosed the sequential change of 14% in International content expense and incorrectly repeated this 14% as the change in International content expense year over year.  Specifically, page 24 of the initial filing included the following sentence: “Additionally, the launches in Latin America and the U.K. and Ireland have contributed to a 14% increase in our content expenses in the International segment.” The sentence has been amended to state the following:  “Additionally, the launches in Latin America and the U.K. and Ireland have contributed to a 348% increase in our content expenses in the International segment.” Other than the change to the percentage increase in content expenses in the International segment set forth above, all information included in the initial filing is unchanged.




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Table of Contents
 
  Page
 Part I. Financial Information
Item 1.Consolidated Financial Statements 
 
 Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011
 Part I. Financial Information
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
 Part II. Other Information
Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 6.
 
 


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NETFLIX, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Operations
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share data)

 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
 September 30,
2012
 September 30,
2011
 September 30,
2012
 September 30,
2011
Revenues$905,089
 $821,839
 $2,664,043
 $2,329,002
Cost of revenues:       
Subscription602,165
 471,823
 1,749,816
 1,277,018
Fulfillment expenses60,473
 64,794
 180,183
 187,728
Total cost of revenues662,638
 536,617
 1,929,999
 1,464,746
Gross profit242,451
 285,222
 734,044
 864,256
Operating expenses:       
Marketing113,233
 89,108
 367,357
 288,350
Technology and development82,521
 69,480
 246,869
 178,250
General and administrative30,562
 29,792
 89,464
 83,460
Total operating expenses226,316
 188,380
 703,690
 550,060
Operating income16,135
 96,842
 30,354
 314,196
Other income (expense):       
Interest expense(4,990) (4,915) (14,970) (15,083)
Interest and other income (expense)801
 1,696
 192
 3,574
Income before income taxes11,946
 93,623
 15,576
 302,687
Provision for income taxes4,271
 31,163
 6,321
 111,780
Net income$7,675
 $62,460
 $9,255
 $190,907
Earnings per share:       
Basic$0.14
 $1.19
 $0.17
 $3.63
Diluted$0.13
 $1.16
 $0.16
 $3.53
Weighted average common shares outstanding:       
Basic55,541
 52,569
 55,508
 52,599
Diluted58,729
 53,870
 58,829
 54,008
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.


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NETFLIX, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(unaudited)
(in thousands)
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
 September 30,
2012
 September 30,
2011
 September 30,
2012
 September 30,
2011
Net income$7,675
 $62,460
 $9,255
 $190,907
Other comprehensive income (loss):       
Foreign currency translation adjustments 
1,084
 
 1,128
 
Change in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities1,565
 (213) 1,908
 172
Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax 
2,649
 (213) 3,036
 172
Income tax expense related to items of other comprehensive income 
(604) (83) (736) (334)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax2,045
 (296) 2,300
 (162)
Comprehensive income$9,720
 $62,164
 $11,555
 $190,745






















See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.


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NETFLIX, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share and par value data)

 As of
   
September 30,
2012
 December 31,
2011
 (unaudited)  
Assets   
Current assets:   
Cash and cash equivalents$370,298
 $508,053
Short-term investments428,057
 289,758
Current content library, net1,335,769
 919,709
Prepaid content33,152
 56,007
Other current assets57,742
 57,330
Total current assets2,225,018
 1,830,857
Non-current content library, net1,366,566
 1,046,934
Property and equipment, net133,603
 136,353
Other non-current assets83,646
 55,052
Total assets$3,808,833
 $3,069,196
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity   
Current liabilities:   
Content liabilities$1,280,885
 $935,036
Accounts payable91,511
 86,992
Accrued expenses70,681
 54,231
Deferred revenue155,146
 148,796
Total current liabilities1,598,223
 1,225,055
Non-current content liabilities1,030,979
 739,628
Long-term debt200,000
 200,000
Long-term debt due to related party200,000
 200,000
Other non-current liabilities62,791
 61,703
Total liabilities3,091,993
 2,426,386
Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)

 

Stockholders’ equity:   
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 160,000,000 shares authorized at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011; 55,545,531 and 55,398,615 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively56
 55
Additional paid-in capital281,593
 219,119
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net3,006
 706
Retained earnings432,185
 422,930
Total stockholders’ equity716,840
 642,810
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$3,808,833
 $3,069,196
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

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NETFLIX, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited)
(in thousands)
   
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
   
September 30,
2012
 September 30,
2011
 September 30,
2012
 September 30,
2011
Cash flows from operating activities:       
Net income$7,675
 $62,460
 $9,255
 $190,907
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:    
 
Additions to streaming content library(744,714) (539,285) (1,883,859) (1,344,187)
Change in streaming content liabilities274,196
 313,781
 631,802
 819,909
Amortization of streaming content library410,947
 187,446
 1,126,680
 417,849
Amortization of DVD content library13,132
 23,000
 49,482
 73,990
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and intangibles11,128
 11,913
 33,506
 31,921
Stock-based compensation expense18,472
 15,705
 56,254
 43,505
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation(111) (11,761) (4,173) (45,283)
Other non-cash items(2,078) (1,745) (5,176) (3,472)
Deferred taxes(15,606) (5,281) (26,449) (14,190)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:    
 
Prepaid content15,358
 (17,335) 22,855
 (14,928)
Other current assets(3,476) (8,578) 188
 4,935
Accounts payable(6,652) (7,052) (7,807) 3,949
Accrued expenses15,294
 23,489
 23,931
 59,241
Deferred revenue2,356
 13,992
 6,350
 33,746
Other non-current assets and liabilities4,229
 (11,218) 6,112
 (5,646)
Net cash provided by operating activities150
 49,531
 38,951
 252,246
Cash flows from investing activities:       
Acquisitions of DVD content library(8,586) (20,826) (30,126) (62,010)
Purchases of short-term investments(67,779) (7,673) (430,549) (100,536)
Proceeds from sale of short-term investments52,172
 37
 272,680
 31,508
Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments2,695
 1,805
 23,685
 18,440
Purchases of property and equipment(13,883) (14,080) (22,293) (39,026)
Other assets1,857
 (844) 6,323
 1,419
Net cash used in investing activities(33,524) (41,581) (180,280) (150,205)
Cash flows from financing activities:       
Proceeds from issuance of common stock upon exercise of options318
 4,409
 2,066
 18,589
Financing costs
 
 (759) 
Repurchases of common stock
 (39,602) 
 (199,666)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation111
 11,761
 4,173
 45,283
Principal payments of lease financing obligations(587) (526) (1,723) (1,547)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities(158) (23,958) 3,757
 (137,341)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents1,579
 
 (183) 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents(31,953) (16,008) (137,755) (35,300)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period402,251
 175,207
 508,053
 194,499
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period$370,298
 $159,199
 $370,298
 $159,199
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

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NETFLIX, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

1. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
The accompanying consolidated interim 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, 2011 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 10, 2012. 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 amortization policy of the Company’s content library; the valuation of stock-based compensation; and the recognition and measurement of income tax assets and liabilities. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. The actual results experienced by the Company may differ from management’s 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 financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results for a full year.
The Company is organized into three operating segments: Domestic streaming, International streaming and Domestic DVD. Substantially all of the Company’s revenues are generated in the U.S., and substantially all of the Company’s long-lived tangible assets are held in the U.S. The Company’s revenues are derived from monthly subscription fees.
Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation. These reclassifications did not impact total assets, total liabilities, stockholders’ equity, results of operations or cash flows.
There have been no material changes in the Company’s significant accounting policies as compared to the significant accounting policies described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

2. 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 outstanding shares of common stock during the period. Potential common shares consist of shares issuable upon the assumed conversion of the Company’s Senior Convertible Notes and incremental shares issuable upon the assumed exercise of stock options. The computation of earnings per share is as follows:


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 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
 September 30,
2012
 September 30,
2011
 September 30,
2012
 September 30,
2011
 (in thousands, except per share data)
Basic earnings per share:       
Net income$7,675
 $62,460
 $9,255
 $190,907
Shares used in computation:       
Weighted-average common shares outstanding55,541
 52,569
 55,508
 52,599
Basic earnings per share$0.14
 $1.19
 $0.17
 $3.63
        
Diluted earnings per share:       
Net income$7,675
 $62,460
 $9,255
 $190,907
Convertible Notes interest expense, net of tax49
 
 146
 
Numerator for diluted earnings per share$7,724
 $62,460
 $9,401
 $190,907
Shares used in computation:       
Weighted-average common shares outstanding55,541
 52,569
 55,508
 52,599
Convertible notes shares2,331
 
 2,331
 
Employee stock options857
 1,301
 990
 1,409
Weighted-average number of shares58,729
 53,870
 58,829
 54,008
Diluted earnings per share$0.13
 $1.16
 $0.16
 $3.53

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 Nine Months Ended
 September 30,
2012
 September 30,
2011
 September 30,
2012
 September 30,
2011
 (in thousands)
Employee stock options1,782
 189
 1,199
 76


3. Cash, Cash Equivalents, Short-Term Investments and Fair Value Measurement
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 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 table summarizes, by major security type, the Company’s assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and are categorized using the fair value hierarchy:

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 As of
 September 30, 2012
 Amortized
Cost
 Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 Estimated
Fair Value
 (in thousands)
Cash$331,902
 $
 $
 $331,902
Level 1 securities (1):       
Money market funds7,618
 
 
 7,618
Level 2 securities (2):       
Corporate debt securities139,064
 1,709
 (3) 140,770
Government and agency securities202,466
 339
 
 202,805
Asset and mortgage-backed securities119,179
 991
 (40) 120,130
 $800,229
 $3,039
 $(43) $803,225
Less: Restricted cash (1)      (4,870)
Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments      $798,355
 As of
 December 31, 2011
 Amortized
Cost
 Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 Estimated
Fair Value
 (in thousands)
Cash$388,941
 $
 $
 $388,941
Level 1 securities (3):       
Money market funds123,608
 
 
 123,608
Level 2 securities (4):       
Corporate debt securities112,264
 603
 (214) 112,653
Government and agency securities175,464
 694
 (56) 176,102
Asset and mortgage-backed securities941
 62
 
 1,003
 $801,218
 $1,359
 $(270) $802,307
Less: Restricted cash (3)      (4,496)
Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments      $797,811
(1)
Includes $2.7 million classified in cash and cash equivalents and $4.9 million of restricted cash classified in other non-current assets.
(2)
Includes $35.6 million classified in cash and cash equivalents and $428.1 million included in short-term investments in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
(3)
Includes $119.1 million classified in cash and cash equivalents and $4.5 million of restricted cash classified in other current assets and non-current assets.
(4)Included in short-term investments.

Fair value is a market-based measurement that should be 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 cash equivalents and 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 Convertible Notes and 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 September 30, 2012. There were no material other-than-temporary impairments or

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credit losses related to available-for-sale securities in the three or nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011. In addition, there were no material gross realized gains or losses in the three or nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011.
The estimated fair value of short-term investments by contractual maturity as of September 30, 2012 is as follows:
 (in thousands)
Due within one year$17,011
Due after one year and through 5 years364,929
Due after 5 years and through 10 years7,091
Due after 10 years39,026
Total short-term investments$428,057

4. Balance Sheet Components
Content Library
Content library consisted of the following:
 As of
 September 30, 2012 December 31, 2011
 Streaming DVD Total Streaming DVD Total
 (in thousands)
Total content library, gross$4,021,055
 $525,634
 $4,546,689
 $2,552,284
 $599,155
 $3,151,439
Accumulated amortization(1,343,859) (500,495) (1,844,354) (632,270) (552,526) (1,184,796)
Total content library, net2,677,196
 25,139
 2,702,335
 1,920,014
 46,629
 1,966,643
Current content library, net1,335,769
 
 1,335,769
 919,709
 
 919,709
Non-current content library, net$1,341,427
 $25,139
 $1,366,566
 $1,000,305
 $46,629
 $1,046,934

Content Liabilities
Content liabilities consisted of the following:
 As of
 September 30, 2012 December 31, 2011
 Streaming DVD  Total Streaming DVD Total
 (in thousands)
Content liabilities$1,260,999
 $19,886
 $1,280,885
 $915,796
 $19,240
 $935,036
Non-current content liabilities1,026,227
 4,752
 1,030,979
 739,628
 
 739,628
Total content liabilities$2,287,226
 $24,638
 $2,311,864
 $1,655,424
 $19,240
 $1,674,664

The Company typically enters into multi-year streaming content licenses with studios and other distributors that may result in an increase in the streaming content library and a corresponding increase in streaming content liabilities. The payment terms for these streaming license fees may extend over the term of the license agreement, which typically ranges from six months to five years. In the nine months ended September 30, 2012, streaming content liabilities increased $631.8 million, as compared to a higher increase in streaming content library, net, of $757.2 million due to payments exceeding amortization of the streaming content library.
Property and Equipment, Net
Property and equipment and accumulated depreciation consisted of the following:


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   As of
   September 30,
2012
 December 31,
2011
   (in thousands)
Computer equipment 3 years$79,851
 $67,090
Operations and other equipment 5 years100,226
 100,306
Software 3 years38,450
 35,356
Furniture and fixtures 3 years17,014
 17,310
Buildings 30 years40,681
 40,681
Leasehold improvements Over life of lease43,168
 44,473
Capital work-in-progress  10,443
 822
Property and equipment, gross  329,833
 306,038
Less: Accumulated depreciation  (196,230) (169,685)
Property and equipment, net  $133,603
 $136,353


5. Long-term Debt
Senior Convertible Notes

As of September 30, 2012, the Company had $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of zero coupon senior convertible notes due on December 1, 2018 (the “Convertible Notes”) outstanding. The Convertible Notes were issued in a private placement offering to TCV VII, L.P., TCV VII(A), L.P. and TCV Member Fund, L.P. A general partner of these funds also serves on the Company’s board of directors, and as such, the issuance of the notes was considered a related party transaction. At any time following May 28, 2012, the Company may elect to cause the conversion of the Convertible Notes into shares of the Company’s common stock when specified conditions are satisfied, including that the daily volume weighted average price of the Company’s common stock is equal or greater than $111.54 for at least 50 trading days during a 65 trading day period prior to the conversion date. The Convertible Notes include, among other terms and conditions, limitations on the Company’s ability to pay cash dividends or to repurchase shares of its common stock, subject to specified exceptions. At September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.
Based on quoted market prices of the Company’s publicly traded debt, the fair value of the Convertible Notes as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 was approximately $213.0 million and $206.5 million, respectively.
Senior Notes
As of September 30, 2012, the Company also had $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8.50% senior notes due November 15, 2017 (the “8.50% Notes”) outstanding. Interest on the 8.50% Notes is payable semi-annually at a rate of 8.50% per annum on May 15 and November 15 of each year.
On or after November 15, 2013, the Company may redeem the 8.50% Notes in whole or in part at specified prices ranging from 104.25% to 100% of the principal plus accrued interest. The 8.50% Notes include, among other terms and conditions, limitations on the Company’s ability to create, incur, assume or be liable for indebtedness (other than specified types of permitted indebtedness); dispose of assets outside the ordinary course (subject to specified exceptions); acquire, merge or consolidate with or into another person or entity (other than specified types of permitted acquisitions); create, incur or allow any lien on any of its property or assign any right to receive income (except for specified permitted liens); make investments (other than specified types of investments); or pay dividends, make distributions, or purchase or redeem the Company’s equity interests (each subject to specified exceptions). At September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.
Based on quoted market prices, the fair value of the 8.50% Notes as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 was approximately $213.0 million and $206.5 million, respectively.

6. 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 September 30, 2012, 4.5 million shares were reserved for future grants under the 2011 Stock Plan.
In February 2002, the Company adopted the 2002 Stock Plan, which was amended and restated in May 2006. The 2002 Stock Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options to employees and for the grant of non-statutory stock options and stock purchase rights to

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employees, directors and consultants. In the first quarter of 2012, 1.2 million shares reserved for future grants under the 2002 Stock Plan expired.
A summary of the activity related to the Company’s stock option plans during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 is as follows:
   Options Outstanding    
 Shares
Available
for Grant
 Number of
Shares
 Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
 Weighted-Average
Remaining
Contractual Term
(in Years)
 Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(in Thousands)
Balances as of December 31, 20117,013,508
 2,957,754
 $66.59
    
Granted(1,321,197) 1,321,197
 75.95
    
Exercised
 (146,916) 14.06
    
Canceled48
 (48) 35.95
    
Expired(1,160,721) 
 
    
Balances as of September 30, 20124,531,638
 4,131,987
 71.45
 6.97 $50,057
Vested and exercisable at September 30, 2012  4,131,987
 71.45
 6.97 $50,057

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 third quarter of 2012 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 September 30, 2012. This amount changes based on the fair market value of the Company’s common stock. Total intrinsic value of options exercised for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 was $0.4 million and $32.2 million, respectively. Total intrinsic value of options exercised for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 was $13.2 million and $125.6 million, respectively.
Cash received from option exercises for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 was $0.3 million and $4.4 million, respectively. Cash received from option exercises for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 was $2.1 million and $18.6 million, respectively.
Stock Option Expense

Vested stock options granted before June 30, 2004 can be exercised up to three months following termination of employment. Vested stock options granted after June 30, 2004 and before January 1, 2007 can be exercised up to one year following termination of employment. Vested stock options granted after January 2007 will remain exercisable for the full ten year contractual term regardless of employment status. The following table summarizes the assumptions used to value stock option grants using the lattice-binomial model:

 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
 September 30,
2012
 September 30,
2011
 September 30,
2012
 September 30,
2011
Dividend yield% % % %
Expected volatility60% 52% 60% - 65%
 51% - 52%
Risk-free interest rate1.61% 2.98% 1.61 - 2.01%
 2.98-3.42%
Suboptimal exercise factor2.27 - 3.64
 2.26 - 3.63
 2.26 - 3.65
 2.17-3.63

The Company bifurcates its option grants into two employee groupings (executive and non-executive) based on exercise behavior and considers several factors in determining the estimate of expected term for each group, including the historical option exercise behavior, the terms and vesting periods of the options granted.

The weighted-average fair value of employee stock options granted during the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 was $32.57 and $137.90 per share, respectively. The weighted-average fair value of employee stock options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 was $42.58 and $127.41 per share, respectively.

The following table summarizes stock-based compensation expense, net of tax, related to stock option plans which was allocated as follows:

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 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
 September 30,
2012
 September 30,
2011
 September 30,
2012
 September 30,
2011
 (in thousands)
Fulfillment expenses$103
 $206
 $260
 $1,446
Marketing690
 1,539
 2,911
 4,273
Technology and development10,510
 7,522
 31,550
 19,819
General and administrative7,169
 6,438
 21,533
 17,967
Stock-based compensation expense before income taxes18,472
 15,705
 56,254
 43,505
Income tax benefit(7,128) (5,228) (21,709) (16,066)
Stock-based compensation after income taxes$11,344
 $10,477
 $34,545
 $27,439

Stock Repurchases

Under the Company’s current stock repurchase plan, announced on June 11, 2010, the Company is authorized to repurchase up to $300.0 million of its common stock through the end of 2012. The Company did not repurchase stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2012. As of September 30, 2012, $41.0 million of this authorization remained. The timing and actual number of shares repurchased is at management’s discretion and will depend on various factors including price, corporate and regulatory requirements, debt covenant requirements, alternative investment opportunities and other market conditions.

7. Income Taxes

The effective tax rates for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 were 35.8% and 33.3%, respectively. The effective tax rates for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 were 40.6% and 36.9%, respectively. These rates differed from the federal statutory rate due primarily to state taxes which were partially offset by the California R&D tax credit. The increase in the Company's effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 was primarily attributable to the expiration of the Federal R&D tax credit on December 31, 2011 and the expiration of the statute of limitations for years 1997 through 2007, resulting in a discrete benefit of $3.5 million in the third quarter of 2011.
As of December 31, 2011, the Company had $28.1 million of gross unrecognized tax benefits. During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company had an increase in gross unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $1.1 million. The gross unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized by the Company, will result in a reduction of approximately $23.0 million to the provision for income taxes thereby favorably impacting the Company’s effective tax rate. The Company’s unrecognized tax benefits are classified as “Other non-current liabilities” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company includes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within the "Provision for income taxes" on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of September 30, 2012, the total amount of gross interest and penalties accrued was $2.8 million, and is classified as “Other non-current liabilities” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Deferred tax assets include $8.4 million and $10.0 million classified as “Other current assets” and $55.7 million and $28.3 million classified as “Other non-current assets” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, 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 September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, it was considered more likely than not that substantially all deferred tax assets would be realized, and no significant valuation allowance was recorded.
Income tax benefits attributable to the exercise of employee stock options of $0.1 million and $11.6 million, during the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, were recorded directly to "Additional paid-in capital" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Income tax benefits attributable to the exercise of employee stock options of $4.2 million and $45.0 million, during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, were recorded directly to "Additional paid-in capital" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The Company files U.S. federal, state and foreign tax returns. The Company is currently under examination by the IRS for the years 2008 through 2011.  The Company is currently under examination by the state of California for the years 2006 and 2007. The years 1997 through 2005, as well as 2008 through 2011, remain subject to examination by the state of California. Given the potential outcome of the current examinations, as well as the impact of the current examination 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. However, at this time, an estimate of the range of reasonably possible adjustments to the balance of unrecognized tax benefits cannot be made.


8. Commitments and Contingencies

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Streaming Content

The Company had $5.0 billion and $4.8 billion of obligations at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, including agreements to acquire and license streaming content that represent current or long-term liabilities or that are not reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets because they do not meet content library asset recognition criteria. The license agreements that are not reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets do not meet content library asset recognition criteria because either the fee is not known or reasonably determinable for a specific title or it is known but the title is not yet available for streaming to subscribers.

For those agreements with variable terms, the Company does not estimate what the total obligation may be beyond any minimum quantities and/or pricing as of the reporting date. For those agreements that include renewal provisions that are solely at the option of the content provider, the Company includes the commitments associated with the renewal period to the extent such commitments are fixed or a minimum amount is specified.
The Company has entered into certain license agreements that include an unspecified or a maximum number of titles that the Company may or may not receive in the future and/or that include pricing contingent upon certain variables, such as theatrical exhibition receipts for the title. As of the reporting date, it is unknown whether the Company will receive access to these titles or what the ultimate price per title will be. Accordingly, such amounts are not reflected in the commitments described below. However such amounts are expected to be significant and the expected timing of payments could range from less than one year to more than five years.

The expected timing of payments for these agreements to acquire and license streaming content that represent current or long-term liabilities as well as obligations not reflected on the consolidated balance sheet is as follows:
 As of  
 September 30,
2012
 December 31,
2011
 
 (in thousands) 
Less than one year$2,088,881
 $1,713,445
(1)
Due after one year and through 3 years2,391,629
 2,384,373
 
Due after 3 years and through 5 years433,549
 650,480
 
Due after 5 years58,968
 74,696
 
Total streaming content obligations$4,973,027
 $4,822,994
 

(1) Prior period amounts have been presented to conform to the current period presentation which includes the streaming portion of current "Content liabilities" reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Note that total streaming content obligations remain unchanged with this presentation. Specifically, payments for streaming content obligations expected to be made in less than one year as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, as shown above, include $1.3 billion and $0.9 billion, respectively, of current "Content liabilities" reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The Company has licenses with certain performing rights organizations (“PRO”), and is currently involved in negotiations with other PROs, that hold certain rights to musical compositions used in connection with streaming content. For the latter, the Company accrues for estimated royalties that are due to PROs and adjusts these accruals based on any changes in estimates. These amounts are included in the Company's streaming content obligations. While the Company anticipates finalizing these negotiations, the outcome of these negotiations is uncertain. The results of any negotiation may be materially different from management’s estimates.

Legal Proceedings
From time to time, in the normal course of its operations, the Company is a party 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.
On January 13, 2012, the first of three purported shareholder class action lawsuits was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California against the Company and certain of its officers and directors. Two additional purported shareholder class action lawsuits were filed in the same court on January 27, 2012 and February 29, 2012, respectively, alleging substantially similar claims. These lawsuits have been consolidated and the Court has selected lead plaintiffs. Lead plaintiffs filed a consolidated complaint on June 26, 2012. The

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consolidated complaint alleges violations of the federal securities laws and seeks unspecified compensatory damages and other relief on behalf of a class of purchasers of the Company's common stock between October 20, 2010 and October 24, 2011. The complaint alleges among other things, that the Company issued materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company’s business practices and violated accounting rules concerning segment reporting, which led to artificially inflated stock prices. Management has determined a potential loss is reasonably possible however, based on its current knowledge, management does not believe that the amount of such possible loss or a range of potential loss is reasonably estimable.
On November 23, 2011, the first of six purported shareholder derivative suits was filed in the Superior Court of California, Santa Clara County, against the Company and certain of its officers and directors. Five additional purported shareholder derivative suits were subsequently filed: two in the Superior Court of California, Santa Clara County on February 9, 2012 and May 2, 2012; and three in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California on February 13, 2012, February 24, 2012 and April 2, 2012. The purported shareholder derivative suits filed in the Northern District of California have been voluntarily dismissed. On July 5, 2012, the purported shareholder derivative suits filed in Santa Clara County were consolidated and lead counsel was appointed. A consolidated complaint has not yet been filed. The original complaints alleged, among other things, that the Company’s officers and directors breached their fiduciary duties, wasted valuable corporate assets, and were unjustly enriched as a result of causing the Company to buy back stock at artificially inflated prices to the detriment of the Company and its shareholders. Additionally, certain of the original complaints contained allegations regarding false and misleading statements surrounding the Company’s business practices and its contracts with content providers. Management has determined a potential loss is reasonably possible however, based on its current knowledge, management does not believe that the amount of such possible loss or a range of potential loss is reasonably estimable.
The Company is involved in other litigation matters not listed above 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 financial statements with respect to these indemnification obligations.

9. Segment Information
Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company has three operating segments: Domestic streaming, International streaming and Domestic DVD. Segment information is presented along the same lines that the Company’s chief operating decision maker reviews the operating results in assessing performance and allocating resources. The Company’s chief operating decision maker reviews revenue and contribution profit (loss) for each of the reportable segments. Contribution profit (loss) is defined as revenues less cost of revenues and marketing expenses.
Revenues and the related credit card fees are attributed to the operating segment based on the nature of the underlying subscription (DVD or streaming) and the geographic region from which the subscription originates. Cost of revenues are primarily attributed to the operating segment based on the amounts directly incurred by the segment to obtain content and deliver it to the specific region. Allocations of certain corporate costs related to customer service are included in the total cost of revenues within each operating segment. Marketing is primarily comprised of advertising expenses which are generally included in the segment in which the expenditures are directly incurred. Marketing also includes an allocation of the cost of revenues incurred by that segment related to free trials.
There are no internal revenue transactions between the Company’s reportable segments. The Company's chief operating decision maker does not review an allocation of assets by reportable segment. The Domestic and International streaming segments derive revenue from monthly subscription services consisting solely of streaming content. The Domestic DVD segment derives revenue from monthly subscription services consisting solely of DVDs-by-mail.
Between the fourth quarter of 2010 and the third quarter of 2011, the Company had two operating segments: Domestic and International. During this time, the Company’s domestic streaming service and DVDs-by-mail operations were combined. Subscribers in the U.S. were able to receive both streaming services and DVDs under a single hybrid plan. Accordingly, revenues were generated and marketing expenses were

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incurred in connection with the subscription offerings as a whole. Therefore, it is impracticable to allocate revenues or marketing expenses or present discrete segment information for the Domestic streaming and Domestic DVD segments for periods prior to the fourth quarter of 2011.
In the third quarter of 2011, the Company made certain changes to its domestic pricing and plan structure which require subscribers who wish to receive both streaming services and DVDs-by-mail to have two separate subscription plans. Following this change, beginning in the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company was able to generate discrete financial information for its Domestic streaming and Domestic DVD operations and began reporting this information to the chief operating decision maker for review.
The following tables represent segment information for the quarter ended September 30, 2012:
 As of/ Three months ended September 30, 2012
 Domestic
Streaming
 International
Streaming
 Domestic
DVD
 Consolidated
 (in thousands)
Total subscriptions at end of period (1)25,101
 4,311
 8,606
 
Revenues$556,027
 $77,744
 $271,318
 $905,089
Cost of revenues and marketing expense465,079
 170,121
 140,671
 775,871
Contribution profit (loss)$90,948
 $(92,377) $130,647
 $129,218
Other operating expenses      113,083
Operating income      16,135
Other income (expense)      (4,189)
Provision for income taxes      4,271
Net income      $7,675
 As of/ Nine months ended September 30, 2012
 Domestic
Streaming
 International
Streaming
 Domestic
DVD
 Consolidated
 (in thousands)
Total subscriptions at end of period (1)25,101
 4,311
 8,606
 
Revenues$1,595,397
 $186,142
 $882,504
 $2,664,043
Cost of revenues and marketing expense1,354,769
 470,629
 471,958
 2,297,356
Contribution profit (loss)$240,628
 $(284,487) $410,546
 $366,687
Other operating expenses      336,333
Operating income      30,354
Other income (expense)      (14,778)
Provision for income taxes      6,321
Net income      $9,255

The following tables represent the Company’s segment information for the quarter ended September 30, 2011:

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 As of/ Three months ended September 30, 2011
 Domestic International Consolidated
 (in thousands)
Total unique subscribers at end of period (2)23,789
 1,480
 25,269
Revenues$799,152
 $22,687
 $821,839
Cost of revenues and marketing expense579,720
 46,005
 625,725
Contribution profit (loss)$219,432
 $(23,318) $196,114
Other operating expenses    99,272
Operating income    96,842
Other income (expense)    (3,219)
Provision for income taxes    31,163
Net income    $62,460


 As of/ Nine months ended September 30, 2011
 Domestic International Consolidated
 (in thousands)
Total unique subscribers at end of period (2)23,789
 1,480
 25,269
Revenues$2,275,140
 $53,862
 $2,329,002
Cost of revenues and marketing expense1,655,828
 97,268
 1,753,096
Contribution profit (loss)$619,312
 $(43,406) $575,906
Other operating expenses    261,710
Operating income    314,196
Other income (expense)    (11,509)
Provision for income taxes    111,780
Net income    $190,907



(1) A subscription is defined as the right to receive either the Netflix streaming service or Netflix DVD service. In connection with the Company's subscription services, the Company offers free-trial memberships to new and certain rejoining members. A method of payment is required to be provided even during the free-trial period for the membership to be defined as a subscription and included in the above metrics. Total unique subscribers and total subscriptions include those subscribers who are on a free-trial. Paid unique subscribers and paid subscriptions exclude free trial memberships. A subscription would cease to be reflected in the above metrics as of the effective cancellation date. Voluntary cancellations become effective at the end of the monthly subscription period, while involuntary cancellation of the service, as a result of a failed method of payment, becomes effective immediately.

(2) For purposes of determining the number of unique subscribers, domestic subscribers who have elected both a DVD and a streaming subscription plan are considered a single unique subscriber.

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Item 2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to statements regarding: our core strategy, contribution profit (losses) and margins both domestically and internationally, consolidated revenues, DVD and streaming subscription trends, investments in our international segment, cash use in connection with content acquisitions and international expansion, investments in content and marketing, consolidated revenue, content payments and expense, free cash flow and available funds, deferred tax assets, stock repurchases and future contractual obligations. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those included in forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements can be identified by our use of words such as "anticipate", "expect", "will", "may" and derivations thereof. Factors that might cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 10, 2012, in particular the risk factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item IA.

We assume no obligation to revise or publicly release any revision to any forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, unless required by law.

Overview

We are the world’s leading Internet subscription service for enjoying TV shows and movies. Our subscribers can instantly watch as many TV shows and movies as they want, streamed over the Internet to their TVs, computers and mobile devices. Additionally, in the U.S., our subscribers can receive standard definition DVDs, and their high definition successor, Blu-ray discs (collectively referred to as “DVD”), delivered quickly to their homes.

Our core strategy is to grow our streaming subscription business domestically and globally. We are continuously improving the customer experience, with a focus on expanding our streaming content, enhancing our user interface and extending our streaming service to even more Internet-connected devices, while staying within the parameters of our consolidated net income (loss) and operating segment contribution profit (loss) targets. Contribution profit (loss) is defined as revenue less cost of revenues and marketing expenses.

We are a pioneer in the Internet delivery of TV shows and movies, launching our streaming service in 2007. Since this launch, we have developed an ecosystem of Internet-connected devices and have licensed increasing amounts of content that enable consumers to enjoy TV shows and movies directly on their TVs, computers and mobile devices. As a result of these efforts, we have experienced growing consumer acceptance of and interest in the delivery of TV shows and movies directly over the Internet. We believe that the DVD portion of our domestic service will be a fading differentiator to our streaming success. Historically, our acquisition of new subscriptions has been seasonal with the first and fourth quarters representing our strongest net subscription additions and our second quarter representing the lowest net subscription additions in a calendar year.

Prior to July 2011, in the U.S., our streaming and DVDs-by-mail operations were combined and subscribers could receive both streaming content and DVDs under a single “hybrid” plan. In July 2011, we introduced DVD only plans and separated the combined plans, making it necessary for subscribers who wish to receive both streaming services and DVDs-by-mail to have two separate subscription plans. This resulted in a price increase for our members who were taking a hybrid plan. We made a subsequent announcement during the third quarter of 2011 concerning the rebranding of our DVDs-by-mail service and the separation of the DVDs-by-mail and streaming websites. The consumer reaction to the price change, and to a lesser degree, the branding announcement, was very negative leading to significant customer cancellations. We subsequently retracted our plans to rebrand our DVDs-by-mail service and separate the DVDs-by-mail and streaming websites.

In September 2010, we began international operations by offering our streaming service in Canada. In September 2011, we expanded our streaming service to Latin America. In January 2012, we launched our streaming service in the United Kingdom ("U.K.") and Ireland. In October 2012, we launched our streaming service in Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Finland. We anticipate significant contribution losses in the International streaming segment in 2012 and extending into 2013.
 
As a result of the changes to our pricing and plan structure, we no longer offer a single subscription plan including both DVDs-by-mail and streaming in the U.S. Domestic subscribers who wish to receive DVDs-by-mail and watch streaming content must elect both a DVDs-by-mail subscription plan and a streaming subscription plan. Accordingly, beginning with the third quarter of 2011, management views the number of paid subscriptions as the key driver of revenues. The following metrics reflect these changes.


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 As of /Three Months Ended,
Subscription Metrics:September 30,
2012
 June 30,
2012
 September 30,
2011
 (in thousands)
Domestic streaming (1):     
Net additions1,163
 528
  
Paid subscriptions at end of period23,801
 22,686
  
Total subscriptions at end of period25,101
 23,938
  
International streaming (1):     
Net additions687
 559
 513
Paid subscriptions at end of period3,689
 3,024
 989
Total subscriptions at end of period4,311
 3,624
 1,480
Domestic DVD (1):     
Net losses(634) (849)  
Paid subscriptions at end of period8,465
 9,145
  
Total subscriptions at end of period8,606
 9,240
  
Consolidated (2):     
Net unique subscriber additions during period1,700
 979
 (292)
Paid unique subscribers at end of period29,892
 28,254
 23,832
Total unique subscribers at end of period31,818
 30,118
 25,269

(1)A subscription is defined as the right to receive either the Netflix streaming service or Netflix DVD service. In connection with our subscription services, we offer free-trial memberships to new and certain rejoining members. A method of payment is required to be provided even during the free-trial period for the membership to be defined as a subscription and included in the above metrics. Total unique subscribers and total subscriptions include those subscribers who are on a free-trial. Paid unique subscribers and paid subscriptions exclude free trial memberships. A subscription would cease to be reflected in the above metrics as of the effective cancellation date. Voluntary cancellations become effective at the end of the monthly subscription period, while involuntary cancellation of the service, as a result of a failed method of payment, becomes effective immediately.
(2)For purposes of determining the number of unique subscribers, domestic subscribers who have elected both a DVD and a streaming subscription plan are considered a single unique subscriber.

The following represents our consolidated performance highlights:
 Three Months Ended Change
 September 30,
2012
 June 30,
2012
 September 30,
2011
 Q3'12 vs. Q2'12 Q3'12 vs. Q3'11
 (in thousands, except per share data)    
Revenues$905,089
 $889,163
 $821,839
 2 % 10 %
Operating income16,135
 16,154
 96,842
  % (83)%
Net income7,675
 6,164
 62,460
 25 % (88)%
Diluted earnings per share0.13
 0.11
 1.16
 18 % (89)%
Free cash flow (3)(20,462) 11,168
 13,781
 NM
 NM
 
(3)See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” for a definition of “free cash flow” and a reconciliation of “net cash provided by operating activities” to “free cash flow.”

Consolidated revenues, operating income and net income for the third quarter of 2012 were relatively flat as compared to the second quarter of 2012. We expect consolidated revenues to increase at a modest pace sequentially in future quarters driven by the growth in global streaming subscriptions and partially offset by a decline in domestic DVD subscriptions. Investments in streaming content and marketing to support new international markets may result in future consolidated net losses.
Free cash flow for the three months ended September 30, 2012 decreased $31.6 million as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2012 to negative $20.5 million. Significant uses of cash in the quarter were cash payments for content (in excess of the expense), cash payments for property and equipment (in excess of depreciation expense) primarily related to equipment for our Open Connect content delivery

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program and reductions in miscellaneous accounts payable and accrued expenses. These uses of cash were partially offset by net income excluding the impact of non-cash stock compensation. The excess content payments over expense will continue to fluctuate over time based on new content licenses domestically and internationally and in particular may increase as a result of the timing of payments for original programming. Our movement into original programming will require more up-front cash payments than our typical licensing agreements, beginning in the fourth quarter of 2012 and increasing in 2013. We expect that free cash flow in future periods will be negatively impacted by investments in new international markets and in original content.
Segment Overview
The following tables set forth, for the periods presented, financial information for each of our reportable segments including revenues from subscriptions and contribution profit (loss) which is the measure of profitability used by our chief operating decision maker.
 Three months ended September 30, 2012
 Domestic
Streaming
 International
Streaming
 Domestic
DVD
 Consolidated
 (in thousands)
Revenues$556,027
 $77,744
 $271,318
 $905,089
Cost of revenues and marketing expense465,079
 170,121
 140,671
 775,871
Contribution profit (loss)$90,948
 $(92,377) $130,647
 $129,218

 Three months ended June 30, 2012
 Domestic
Streaming
 International
Streaming
 Domestic
DVD
 Consolidated
 (in thousands)
Revenues$532,705
 $64,973
 $291,485
 $889,163
Cost of revenues and marketing expense449,533
 154,400
 157,719
 761,652
Contribution profit (loss)$83,172
 $(89,427) $133,766
 $127,511

 Three months ended September 30, 2011 (1)
 Domestic International Consolidated
 (in thousands)
Revenues$799,152
 $22,687
 $821,839
Cost of revenues and marketing expense579,720
 46,005
 625,725
Contribution profit (loss)$219,432
 $(23,318) $196,114
(1)Presented using our segment reporting prior to the fourth quarter of 2011. Prior to the fourth quarter of 2011, our domestic streaming service and DVDs-by-mail operations were combined.

Our core strategy is to grow a streaming subscription business domestically and globally. As we grow our streaming subscription segments, we have shifted spending away from the Domestic DVD segment to invest more in streaming content and marketing our streaming services. Content acquisition and licensing expenses are higher as a percentage of revenues for the Domestic and International Streaming segments as compared to the Domestic DVD segment. Content delivery expenses and fulfillment expenses tend to be lower for the streaming business. Marketing costs for the streaming business are higher as a percentage of revenues given our focus on building consumer awareness of the streaming offerings. Marketing costs are immaterial for the Domestic DVD segment. As a result of our focus on growing the streaming segments, contribution margins for the Domestic and International Streaming segments are lower than for our Domestic DVD segment. Also impacting the Domestic streaming segment was the loss of subscribers resulting from the consumer reaction to the pricing and plan changes made in the third quarter of 2011. We expect that the investments in content and marketing associated with the streaming service segments will slow relative to revenue to allow for contribution margin expansion over time. Streaming content rights are generally specific to a geographic region and accordingly our international expansion will require us to obtain additional streaming content licenses to support new global markets.
Our Domestic Streaming segment had a contribution margin of 16% for the third quarter of 2012. We expect further contribution margin expansion as investments in domestic content and marketing grow slower than domestic streaming revenue. Average number of paying domestic streaming subscriptions for the three months ending September 30, 2012 increased 4% from the prior quarter, driving the increase in Domestic streaming revenues. Content acquisition and licensing expense for our Domestic streaming segment represent the vast majority of expenses for this segment and increased 5% quarter over quarter. Marketing decreased by 7% due to reduced spending in TV and Radio

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advertising partially offset by an increase in online and direct-mail advertising. Content delivery and fulfillment expenses were immaterial for this period for the Domestic streaming segment.
Our International Streaming segment does not benefit from the established subscriber base that exists for the Domestic Streaming segment. As a result of having to build a member base from zero, investments in streaming content and marketing for our International segment are larger initially relative to revenues, in particular as new territories are launched. Marketing expenses incurred by our International streaming segment have been significant and will fluctuate dependent upon the number of International territories in which our streaming service is offered and the timing of the launch of new territories. Typically for a specific territory, marketing expenses represent a larger percentage of total expenses at launch. The contribution losses for our International segment have been significant and we expect will continue to be significant as we expand globally. Our International streaming segment had a contribution loss of $92.4 million for the third quarter of 2012 compared to a contribution loss of $89.4 million for the second quarter of 2012 due to increased investments in our content library to drive more membership growth and viewing. International streaming subscriptions increased 19% from June 30, 2012 to September 30, 2012, and the number of average paid subscriptions increased even more at 24% from the second to third quarters of 2012 due to conversion of free trial members. The increase in average paid subscriptions was the driver of the increase in International streaming revenues in the third quarter of 2012 as compared to the second quarter of 2012. International streaming subscriptions account for 15% of total streaming subscriptions at the end of the third quarter. The increase in revenues was partially offset by increases in content acquisition and licensing expenses of 14%. Content acquisition and licensing expense for our International streaming segment represent the vast majority of costs of revenues. Content delivery and fulfillment expenses were immaterial for this period and are not a material contributor to the contribution loss in our International segment.
The Domestic DVD segment had a small increase in contribution margin to 48% compared to 46% in the second quarter of 2012 due to a lower revenue mix in content utilization subject to revenue sharing agreements. Given that our core strategy is to grow a streaming subscription business both domestically and internationally, we do not expect future investments in DVD content, technology or marketing to be material. Current and future expenses for the Domestic DVD segment are primarily variable in nature such as shipping and packaging associated with delivery of DVDs-by-mail. As a result, contribution margins for the Domestic DVD segment are expected to increase slightly for the remainder of the year, while DVD subscription declines continue to moderate. DVD subscriptions as of September 30, 2012 decreased 7% from June 30, 2012, due to cancellations during the quarter, resulting in a 7% decrease in Domestic DVD revenues.

Consolidated Results of Operations
The following table sets forth, for the periods presented, the line items on our Consolidated Statements of Operations as a percentage of total revenues.
 
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
 September 30,
2012
 June 30,
2012
 September 30,
2011
 September 30,
2012
 September 30,
2011
Revenues100 % 100 % 100 % 100 % 100%
Cost of revenues:         
Subscription66 % 65 % 57 % 66 % 55%
Fulfillment expenses7 % 7 % 8 % 7 % 8%
Total cost of revenues73 % 72 % 65 % 73 % 63%
Operating expenses:         
Marketing13 % 13 % 11 % 14 % 12%
Technology and development9 % 9 % 8 % 9 % 8%
General and administrative3 % 4 % 4 % 3 % 4%
Total operating expenses25 % 26 % 23 % 26 % 24%
Operating income2 % 2 % 12 % 1 % 13%
Other income (expense):         
Interest expense(1)% (1)%  % (1)% %
Interest and other income (expense) %  %  %  % %
Income before income taxes1 % 1 % 12 %  % 13%
Provision for income taxes %  % 4 %  % 5%
Net income1 % 1 % 8 %  % 8%
 
Revenues
We derive our revenues from monthly subscription fees and recognize subscription revenues ratably over each subscriber’s monthly subscription period. We currently generate substantially all of our revenues in the U.S.

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In the Domestic streaming segment, we derive revenues from services consisting solely of streaming content offered through a subscription plan priced at $7.99 per month. In the Domestic DVD segment, we derive revenues from our DVDs-by-mail subscription services. The price per plan for DVDs-by-mail varies from $4.99 to $43.99 per month based on the number of DVDs that a subscriber may have out at any given point. Customers electing access to high definition Blu-ray discs in addition to standard definition DVDs pay a surcharge ranging from $2 to $4 per month for our most popular plans.
In July 2011, in the U.S., we introduced DVD only plans and separated DVDs-by-mail and streaming making it necessary for subscribers who opt to receive both streaming and DVDs-by-mail to have two separate subscription plans. As subscribers were able to receive both streaming and DVDs-by-mail under a single hybrid plan prior to the fourth quarter of 2011, it is impracticable to allocate revenues to the Domestic streaming and Domestic DVD segments prior to the fourth quarter of 2011.
In the International streaming segment, we derive revenues from services consisting solely of streaming content offered through a subscription plan priced at approximately the equivalent of USD7.99 per month. In September 2010, we began international operations in Canada. We expanded to Latin America in September 2011 and the U.K. and Ireland in January 2012. In October 2012, we launched our streaming service in Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Finland.

Three months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2011
 
 Three Months Ended Change
 September 30,
2012
 September 30,
2011
 Q3'12 vs. Q3'11
 (in thousands, except percentages)
Revenues (1)$905,089
 $821,839
 10%
Domestic827,345
 799,152
 4%
International77,744
 22,687
 243%
(1)Presented using our segment reporting prior to the fourth quarter of 2011. The Domestic segment consists of both our domestic streaming service and DVDs-by-mail as prior to the fourth quarter of 2011, our domestic streaming service and DVDs-by-mail operations were combined.
The $83.3 million increase in our consolidated revenues was due to the $28.2 million increase in domestic revenues and a $55.1 million increase in international revenues. Domestic revenues increased 4% as a result of the 12% growth in the domestic average number of unique paying subscribers driven by new streaming subscriptions. This increase was offset in part by a 7% decline in domestic average monthly revenue per unique paying subscriber, resulting from the popularity of the streaming subscription service and a decline in the percentage of unique paying subscribers electing both a streaming and a DVD subscription.
International revenues increased by $55.1 million primarily due to our launch in Latin America in September 2011 and our launch in the U.K. and Ireland in January 2012.
Nine months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2011
 
 Nine Months Ended Change
 September 30,
2012
 September 30,
2011
 YTD'12 vs. YTD'11
 (in thousands, except percentages)
Revenues (2)$2,664,043
 $2,329,002
 14%
Domestic2,477,901
 2,275,140
 9%
International186,142
 53,862
 246%

(2)Presented using our segment reporting prior to the fourth quarter of 2011. Prior to the fourth quarter of 2011, our domestic streaming service and DVDs-by-mail operations were combined.

The $335.0 million increase in our consolidated revenues was due to the $202.8 million increase in domestic revenues and $132.3 million increase in international revenues. Domestic revenues increased 9% as a result of the 14% growth in the domestic average number of unique paying subscribers driven by new streaming subscriptions. This increase was offset in part by a 5% decline in domestic average monthly

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revenue per unique paying subscriber, resulting from the popularity of the streaming subscription service and a decline in the percentage of unique paying subscribers electing both a streaming and a DVD subscription.
International revenues increased by $132.3 million primarily due to our launch in Latin America in September 2011 and our launch in the U.K. and Ireland in January 2012.
Three months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2012
 Three Months Ended Change
 September 30,
2012
 June 30,
2012
 Q3'12 vs. Q2'12
 (in thousands, except percentages)
Revenues$905,089
 $889,163
 2 %
Domestic streaming556,027
 532,705
 4 %
International streaming77,744
 64,973
 20 %
 Domestic DVD271,318
 291,485
 (7)%
The $15.9 million increase in our consolidated revenues was due to the $23.3 million increase in Domestic streaming revenues and the $12.8 million increase in International streaming revenues. Domestic streaming revenues increased 4% as a result of the growth in the average number of paying streaming subscriptions. International streaming revenues increased 20% as a result of the growth in the average number of paying international streaming subscriptions resulting from continued subscription growth across all international regions. These increases in streaming revenues were offset by a $20.2 million decrease in Domestic DVD revenue due to an 8% decrease in the average number of paying DVD subscriptions.
We expect streaming subscriptions both domestically and internationally to continue to grow and DVD subscription declines to continue to moderate. As a result, we expect consolidated revenues to increase at a modest pace sequentially in future quarters.

Cost of Revenues

Cost of revenues consists of expenses related to the acquisition and licensing of content, content delivery expenses and fulfillment expenses. Costs related to free-trial periods are allocated to marketing expenses.

Content acquisition and licensing expenses consist primarily of amortization of streaming content licenses, which may or may not be recognized in the streaming content library, amortization of DVD content library and revenue sharing expenses. We obtain content through streaming content license agreements, DVD direct purchases and DVD revenue sharing agreements with studios, distributors and other suppliers. Content agreements are made in the ordinary course of business and our business is not substantially dependent on any particular agreement.

Content delivery expenses consist primarily of the postage costs to mail DVDs to and from our paying subscribers and the packaging and label costs for the mailers. We utilize both our own and third-party content delivery networks to help us efficiently stream content in high volume to our subscribers over the Internet. Content delivery expenses therefore also include equipment costs related to our own streaming content delivery networks ("Open Connect") and all third party costs associated with delivering streaming content over the Internet.

Fulfillment expenses represent those expenses incurred in content processing including operating and staffing our DVD shipping centers, as well as receiving, encoding, inspecting and warehousing our content library. Fulfillment expenses also include operating and staffing our customer service centers and credit card fees.

Three months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2011

 Three Months Ended Change
 September 30,
2012
 September 30,
2011
 Q3'12 vs. Q3'11
 (in thousands, except percentages)
Total cost of revenues$662,638
 $536,617
 23%
As a percentage of revenues73% 65%  


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The $126.0 million increase in cost of revenues was primarily due to the following factors:
Content acquisition and licensing expenses increased by $171.2 million. This increase was primarily due to a 26% increase in the Domestic segment. Additionally, the launches in Latin America and the U.K. and Ireland have contributed to a 14%348% increase in our content expenses in the International segment. The increases in both Domestic and International content acquisition expense are due to the continued investments in existing and new streaming content available for viewing to our subscribers.
Content delivery expenses decreased $40.8 million primarily due to a 43% decrease in the number of DVDs mailed for paid subscriptions. The decrease in the number of DVDs mailed was driven by the decrease in the average number of paid DVD subscriptions. Costs associated with our use of our own and third-party streaming content delivery networks increased 37% but were not a significant contributor to the total variance in content delivery expense.
Nine months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2011

 Nine Months Ended Change
 September 30,
2012
 September 30,
2011
 YTD'12 vs. YTD'11
 (in thousands, except percentages)
Total cost of revenues$1,929,999
 $1,464,746
 32%
As a percentage of revenues73% 63%  

The $465.3 million increase in cost of revenues was primarily due to the following factors:
 
Content acquisition and licensing expenses increased by $608.9 million. This increase was primarily due to a 44% increase in the Domestic segment. Additionally, the launches in Latin America and the U.K. and Ireland have contributed to an increase in our content expenses in the International segment. The increases in both Domestic and International content acquisition expense were due to the continued investments in existing and new streaming content available for viewing to our subscribers.
Content delivery expenses decreased $136.1 million primarily due to a 43% decrease in the number of DVDs mailed for paid subscriptions. The decrease in the number of DVDs mailed was driven by the decrease in the average paid DVD subscriptions. Costs associated with our use of our own and third-party streaming content delivery networks increased 41% but were not a significant contributor to the total variance in content delivery expense.
Three months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2012

 Three Months Ended Change
 September 30,
2012
 June 30,
2012
 Q3'12 vs. Q2'12
 (in thousands, except percentages)
Total cost of revenues$662,638
 $643,428
 3%
As a percentage of revenues73% 72%  

The $19.2 million increase in cost of revenues was primarily due a $20.1 million increase in content acquisition and licensing expenses. This increase was attributable to a 14% increase in the International segment due to an increase in streaming content titles available in our International locations and to the 5% increase in the Domestic streaming segment due to the continued investments in existing and new streaming content available for viewing to our domestic subscribers. These increases were offset by a decrease in the Domestic DVD segment of 18%.


Marketing
Marketing expenses consist primarily of advertising expenses and also include payments made to our affiliates and consumer electronics partners and payroll related expenses. Advertising expenses include promotional activities such as television and online advertising as well as allocated costs of revenues relating to free trial periods. Payments to our affiliates and consumer electronics partners may be in the form of a fixed-fee or may be a revenue sharing payment.

Three months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2011
 

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 Three Months Ended Change
 September 30,
2012
 September 30,
2011
 Q3'12 vs. Q3'11
 (in thousands, except percentages)
Marketing$113,233
 $89,108
 27%
As a percentage of revenues13% 11%  
 
The $24.1 million increase in marketing expenses was primarily due to a $25.0 million increase in marketing program spending primarily in online advertising. International marketing expenses increased by 166% as expenses were higher in the third quarter of 2012 to support the marketing of our service in Latin America and U.K. and Ireland. Domestic marketing expenses decreased by 6%.
Nine months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2011
 
 Nine Months Ended Change
 September 30,
2012
 September 30,
2011
 YTD'12 vs. YTD'11
 (in thousands, except percentages)
Marketing$367,357
 $288,350
 27%
As a percentage of revenues14% 12%  
 
The $79.0 million increase in marketing expenses was primarily due to an $85.8 million increase in marketing program spending primarily in online and television advertising. International marketing expenses increased by 220% as expenses were higher in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to support the launch of our service in the U.K. and Ireland and continued marketing in Latin America and Canada. Domestic marketing expenses decreased by 9%.
Three months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2012
 
 Three Months Ended Change
 September 30,
2012
 June 30,
2012
 Q3'12 vs. Q2'12
 (in thousands, except percentages)
Marketing$113,233
 $118,224
 (4)%
As a percentage of revenues13% 13%  
 
The $5.0 million decrease in marketing expenses was primarily due to a $5.5 million decrease in domestic marketing program spending primarily in television advertising partially offset by increases in online and direct-mail advertising. Marketing expenses in our International streaming segment were relatively flat.


Technology and Development
Technology and development expenses consist of payroll and related costs incurred in making improvements to our service offerings, including testing, maintaining and modifying our user interface, our recommendation, merchandising technology and content delivery technology, as well as, telecommunications systems and infrastructure. Technology and development expenses also include costs associated with computer hardware and software.

Three months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2011
 

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 Three Months Ended Change
 September 30,
2012
 September 30,
2011
 Q3'12 vs. Q3'11
 (in thousands, except percentages)
Technology and development$82,521
 $69,480
 19%
As a percentage of revenues9% 8%  

The $13.0 million increase in technology and development expenses was primarily the result of a $13.4 million increase in personnel-related costs, including a $3.0 million increase in stock-based compensation. This increase in personnel-related costs is due to a 30% growth in average headcount supporting continued improvements in our streaming service and our international expansion.
Nine months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2011
 Nine Months Ended Change
 September 30,
2012
 September 30,
2011
 YTD'12 vs. YTD'11
 (in thousands, except percentages)
Technology and development$246,869
 $178,250
 38%
As a percentage of revenues9% 8%  

The $68.6 million increase in technology and development expenses was primarily the result of a $60.1 million increase in personnel-related costs, including an $11.7 million increase in stock-based compensation. This increase in personnel-related costs is due to a 43% growth in average headcount supporting continued improvements in our streaming service and our international expansion.
Three months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2012
 Three Months Ended Change
 September 30,
2012
 June 30,
2012
 Q3'12 vs. Q2'12
 (in thousands, except percentages)
Technology and development$82,521
 $81,547
 1%
As a percentage of revenues9% 9%  

Technology and development expenses were relatively flat as compared to the prior period.


General and Administrative
General and administrative expenses consist of payroll and related expenses for executive and administrative personnel, as well as professional fees and other general corporate expenses. General and administrative expenses also include the gain on disposal of DVDs.

Three months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2011

 Three Months Ended Change
 September 30,
2012
 September 30,
2011
 Q3'12 vs. Q3'11
 (in thousands, except percentages)
General and administrative$30,562
 $29,792
 3%
As a percentage of revenues3% 4%  

General and administrative expenses were relatively flat, primarily due to a $2.8 million increase in personnel-related costs offset by a$1.9 million decrease in costs associated with miscellaneous expenses primarily related to the use of outside and professional services, taxes and insurance.
Nine months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2011


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 Nine Months Ended Change
 September 30,
2012
 September 30,
2011
 YTD'12 vs. YTD'11
 (in thousands, except percentages)
General and administrative$89,464
 $83,460
 7%
As a percentage of revenues3% 4%  

The $6.0 million increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily attributable to an increase in personnel-related costs of $17.2 million, including a $3.6 million increase in stock-based compensation resulting from a 13% increase in average headcount. This increase was partially offset by a $7.8 million decrease in costs associated with various legal claims against us and other miscellaneous expenses primarily related to the use of outside and professional services, taxes and insurance.
Three months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2012

 Three Months Ended Change
 September 30,
2012
 June 30,
2012
 Q3'12 vs. Q2'12
 (in thousands, except percentages)
General and administrative$30,562
 $29,810
 3%
As a percentage of revenues3% 4%  

General and administrative expenses were relatively flat as compared to the prior period.



Provision for Income Taxes

Our effective tax rates for the three months ended September 30, 2012, June 30, 2012 and September 30, 2011 were 35.8%, 42.1% and 33.3%, respectively. Our effective tax rates for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 were 40.6% and 36.9%, respectively. These rates differed from the federal statutory rate due primarily to state taxes which were partially offset by the California R&D tax credit. The increase in our effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 was primarily attributable to the expiration of the Federal R&D tax credit on December 31, 2011 and the expiration of the statute of limitations for years 1997 through 2007, resulting in a discrete benefit of $3.5 million in the third quarter of 2011.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments were $798.4 million and $797.8 million at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. Our primary uses of cash include the acquisition and licensing of content, content delivery expenses, marketing and payroll related expenses. We expect to continue to make significant investments to license streaming content both domestically and internationally and expect to obtain more original programs in the fourth quarter of 2012 and in 2013. These investments could impact our liquidity and we may have negative operating cash flows and/or use of cash in future periods. Although we currently anticipate that our available funds will be sufficient to meet our cash needs for the foreseeable future, we may be required or choose to obtain additional financing. Our ability to obtain additional financing will depend on, among other things, our development efforts, business plans, operating performance, current and projected compliance with our debt covenants, and the condition of the capital markets at the time we seek financing. We may not be able to obtain such financing on terms acceptable to us or at all. If we raise additional funds through the issuance of equity, equity-linked or debt securities, those securities may have rights, preferences or privileges senior to the rights of our common stock, and our stockholders may experience dilution.
In November 2011, we issued $200.0 million of Senior Convertible Notes and raised an additional $200.0 million through a public offering of common stock. The Senior Convertible Notes consist of $200.0 million aggregate principal amount due on December 1, 2018 and do not bear interest. In November 2009, we issued $200.0 million of our 8.50% senior notes due November 15, 2017 (the “8.50% Notes”). Interest on the 8.50% Notes is payable semi-annually at a rate of 8.50% per annum on May 15 and November 15 of each year, commencing on May 15, 2010. (See Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements.)
On June 11, 2010, we announced that our Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program allowing us to repurchase $300.0 million of our common stock through the end of 2012. As of September 30, 2012, $41.0 million of this authorization remained. The timing and actual number of shares repurchased is in the discretion of management and will depend on various factors, including

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price, corporate and regulatory requirements, debt covenant requirements, alternative investment opportunities and other market

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conditions. We do not expect to make further stock repurchases for the foreseeable future.
Free Cash Flow
We define free cash flow as cash provided by operating and investing activities excluding the non-operational cash flows from purchases, maturities and sales of short-term investments. We believe free cash flow is an important liquidity metric because it measures, during a given period, the amount of cash generated that is available to repay debt obligations, make investments, repurchase our stock, and for certain other activities. Free cash flow is considered a non-GAAP financial measure and should not be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, net income, operating income, cash flow from operating activities, or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP.
In comparing free cash flow to net income, the major recurring differences are excess content payments over expenses, stock-based compensation expense, deferred revenue, taxes and semi-annual interest payments on the 8.50% Notes. Our receivables from customers settle quickly and deferred revenue is a source of cash flow. For streaming content, we typically enter into multi-year licenses with studios and other distributors that may result in an increase in content library and a corresponding increase in liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The payment terms for these license fees may extend over the term of the license agreements, which typically range from six months to five years.
Three months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2011
 
 Three Months Ended

September 30,
2012
 September 30,
2011
 (in thousands)
Net cash provided by operating activities$150
 $49,531
Net cash used in investing activities(33,524) (41,581)
Net cash used in financing activities(158) (23,958)
    
Non-GAAP free cash flow reconciliation:   
Net cash provided by operating activities150
 49,531
Acquisitions of DVD content library(8,586) (20,826)
Purchases of property and equipment(13,883) (14,080)
Other assets1,857
 (844)
Non-GAAP free cash flow$(20,462) $13,781
Cash provided by operating activities decreased $49.4 million, primarily due to increased payments for content acquisition and licensing other than DVD library of $158.9 million or 42%, partially offset by an increase in subscription revenues of $83.3 million or 10%.
Cash used in investing activities decreased $8.1 million, primarily due to a $12.2 million decrease in the acquisitions of DVD content. These decreases were offset by an increase of $7.1 million in the purchases, net of proceeds from sales and maturities, of short-term investments.

Cash used in financing activities was immaterial for the third quarter of 2012. In the third quarter of 2011, cash used in financing activities was $24.0 million which consisted primarily of stock repurchases of $39.6 million offset partially by the excess tax benefit and proceeds from issuance of stock options.

 Free cash flow for the three months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2011 decreased $34.2 million primarily due to a decrease of $52.0 million in net income as adjusted for non-cash stock based compensation resulting from cost of revenues, marketing and technology and development expenses growing faster than revenue as well as to an $11.6 million decrease in the cash flow from deferred revenue. This was partially offset by a $24.5 million decrease in the excess content payments over content expenses and a $6.2 million decrease in excess tax payments over tax provision. Payments for content increased $146.7 million while content expenses increased $171.2 million.
Nine months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2011
 

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 Nine Months Ended
 September 30,
2012
 September 30,
2011

(in thousands)
Net cash provided by operating activities$38,951
 $252,246
Net cash used in investing activities(180,280) (150,205)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities3,757
 (137,341)
    
Non-GAAP free cash flow reconciliation:   
Net cash provided by operating activities38,951
 252,246
Acquisitions of DVD content library(30,126) (62,010)
Purchases of property and equipment(22,293) (39,026)
Other assets6,323
 1,419
Non-GAAP free cash flow$(7,145) $152,629
Cash provided by operating activities decreased $213.3 million, primarily due to increased payments for content acquisition and licensing other than DVD library of $599.6 million or 66%, partially offset by an increase in subscription revenues of $335.0 million or 14%.
Cash used in investing activities increased $30.1 million primarily due to an $83.6 million increase in the purchases, net of proceeds from sales and maturities, of short-term investments. These increases were partially offset by a $31.9 million decrease in the acquisitions of DVD content library and a $16.7 million decrease in the purchase of property and equipment due to a decrease in purchases of automation equipment for our various shipping centers.
 
Cash provided by financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was $3.8 million which consisted primarily of the excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation coupled with the proceeds from issuance of common stock, partially offset by principal payments of lease financing obligations. Cash used in financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 was $137.3 million, which consisted primarily of $199.7 million of stock repurchases in the nine months ended September 30, 2011, partially offset by the excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation and proceeds from issuance of stock options.
 
Free cash flow for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2011 decreased $159.8 million primarily due to a decrease of $168.9 million in net income as adjusted for non-cash stock based compensation resulting from cost of revenues, marketing and technology and development expenses growing faster than revenue as well as to a decrease of $27.4 million in the cash flow from deferred revenue and a $16.1 million increase in excess tax payments over tax provision. This was partially offset by a $41.2 million decrease in excess content payments over content expenses and a $21.4 million decrease in excess property and equipment payments over depreciation expense. Content payments increased $567.7 million while content expenses increased $608.9 million.

Three months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2012
 

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 Three Months Ended
 September 30,
2012
 June 30,
2012
 (in thousands)
Net cash provided by operating activities$150
 $19,692
Net cash used in investing activities(33,524) (10,939)
Net cash used in financing activities(158) (117)
    
Non-GAAP free cash flow reconciliation:   
Net cash provided by operating activities150
 19,692
Acquisitions of DVD content library(8,586) (8,012)
Purchases of property and equipment(13,883) (3,644)
Other assets1,857
 3,132
Non-GAAP free cash flow$(20,462) $11,168
Cash provided by operating activities decreased $19.5 million, primarily due to increased payments for content acquisition and licensing other than DVD library of $32.5 million or 6%, partially offset by an increase in subscription revenues of $15.9 million or 2%.
Cash used in investing activities increased $22.6 million primarily due to a $10.5 million increase in the purchases, net of proceeds from sales and maturities of short-term investments. Investing activities were further impacted by a $10.2 million increase in the purchase of property and equipment primarily due to equipment for our own streaming content delivery networks ("Open Connect").
 
Cash used in financing activities was relatively flat in the three months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to June 30, 2012.

Free cash flow for the three months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2012 decreased $31.6 million primarily due to a $13.0 million increase in excess content payments over content expenses, a $10.4 million increase in excess property and equipment payments over depreciation expense and a decrease in miscellaneous accounts payable and accrued expenses. Content payments increased $33.1 million while content expenses increased $20.1 million.

Contractual Obligations

For the purposes of this table, contractual obligations for purchases of goods or services are defined as agreements that are enforceable and legally binding and that specify all significant terms, including: fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased; fixed, minimum or variable price provisions; and the approximate timing of the transaction. The expected timing of payment of the obligations discussed above is estimated based on information available to us as of September 30, 2012. Timing of payments and actual amounts paid may be different depending on the time of receipt of goods or services or changes to agreed-upon amounts for some obligations. The following table summarizes our contractual obligations at September 30, 2012:

 Payments due by Period
Contractual obligations (in thousands):Total Less than
1 year
 1-3 years 3-5 years More than
5 years
Streaming content obligations (1)$4,973,027
 $2,088,881
 $2,391,629
 $433,549
 $58,968
8.50% Notes (2)293,500
 17,000
 34,000
 34,000
 208,500
Senior Convertible Notes (2)200,000
 
 
 
 200,000
Operating lease obligations59,647
 19,360
 23,968
 13,555
 2,764
Lease financing obligations (3)16,187
 3,435
 5,886
 5,886
 980
Other purchase obligations (4)179,838
 113,972
 65,241
 625
 
Total$5,722,199

$2,242,648
 $2,520,724
 $487,615
 $471,212


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(1)
Streaming content obligations include agreements to acquire and license streaming content. As of September 30, 2012 such obligations were comprised of $1.3 billion of current "Content liabilities", $1.0 billion of "Non-current content liabilities" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and $2.7 billion of obligations that are not reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as they do not yet meet the criteria for asset recognition.

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obligations were comprised of $1.3 billion of current "Content liabilities", $1.0 billion of "Non-current content liabilities" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and $2.7 billion of obligations that are not reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as they do not yet meet the criteria for asset recognition.
    
For those agreements with variable terms, we do not estimate what the total obligation may be beyond any minimum quantities and/or pricing as of the reporting date. For those agreements that include renewal provisions that are solely at the option of the content provider, we include the commitments associated with the renewal period to the extent such commitments are fixed or a minimum amount is specified. For these reasons, the amounts presented in the table may not provide a reliable indicator of our expected future cash outflows.
We have entered into certain streaming content license agreements that include an unspecified or a maximum number of titles that we may or may not receive in the future and/or that include pricing contingent upon certain variables, such as theatrical exhibition receipts for the title. As of the reporting date, it is unknown whether we will receive access to these titles or what the ultimate price per title will be. Accordingly such amounts are not reflected in the above contractual obligations table. However, such amounts are expected to be significant and the expected timing of payments for these commitments could range from less than one year to more than five years.

(2)Long-term debt obligations include our 8.50% senior notes consisting of principal and interest payments and the Convertible Notes consisting solely of the principal amount. Please see Note 5 of the notes to consolidated financial statements for further details.

(3)Represents the lease financing obligations for our Los Gatos, California headquarters.

(4)Other purchase obligations include all other non-cancelable contractual obligations. These contracts are primarily related to streaming content delivery, DVD content acquisition, and miscellaneous open purchase orders for which we have not received the related services or goods.

As of September 30, 2012, we had gross unrecognized tax benefits of $29.2 million and an additional $2.8 million for gross interest and penalties classified as “Other non-current liabilities” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. At this time, we are not able to make a reasonably reliable estimate of the timing of payments in individual years due to uncertainties in the timing of tax audit outcomes; therefore, such amounts are not included in the above contractual obligations table.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As part of our ongoing business, we do not engage in transactions that generate relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities. Accordingly, our operating results, financial condition and cash flows are not subject to off-balance sheet risks.

Indemnification

The information set forth under Note 8 in the notes to the consolidated financial statements under the caption “Indemnification” is incorporated herein by reference.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported periods. The SEC has defined a company’s critical accounting policies as the ones that are most important to the portrayal of a company’s financial condition and results of operations, and which require a company to make its most difficult and subjective judgments. Based on this definition, we have identified the critical accounting policies and judgments addressed below. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

Content Accounting
We obtain content through streaming content license agreements, DVD direct purchases and DVD revenue sharing agreements with studios, distributors and other suppliers.

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We obtain content distribution rights in order to stream TV shows and movies to subscribers’ TVs, computers and mobile devices. Streaming content is generally licensed for a fixed-fee for the term of the license agreement which may have multiple windows of availability. The license agreement may or may not be recognized in content library.
 
When the streaming license fee is known or reasonably determinable for a specific title and the specific title is first available for streaming to subscribers, the title is recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as “Current content library” for the portion available for streaming within one year and as “Non-current content library” for the remaining portion. New titles recognized in the content library are classified in the line item “Additions to streaming content library” within net cash provided by operating activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The streaming content library is reported at the lower of unamortized cost or estimated net realizable value. We amortize the content library on a straight-line basis over each title's contractual window of availability, which typically ranges from six months to five years.

The amortization of the streaming content library is classified in “Cost of revenues—Subscription” on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and in the line item “Amortization of streaming content library” within net cash provided by operating activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Costs related to subtitles, dubbing, and closed captioning are capitalized in “Current content library” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and amortized over the window of availability. Payment terms for these license fees may extend over the term of the license agreement, which typically ranges from six months to five years. For the titles recognized in content library, the license fees due but not paid are classified on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as current "Content liabilities” for the amounts due within one year and as “Non-current content liabilities” for the amounts due beyond one year. Changes in these liabilities are classified in the line item “Change in streaming content liabilities” within net cash provided by operating activities on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. We record the streaming content library assets and their related liability on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at the gross amount of the liability. Payments for the titles not yet available for streaming are not yet recognized in the content library but in prepaid content. Minimum commitments for the titles not yet available for streaming are not yet recognized in the content library and are included in Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements.
When the streaming license fee is not known or reasonably determinable for a specific title, the title does not meet the criteria for asset recognition in the content library. Titles do not meet the criteria for asset recognition in the content library because the underlying license agreement does not specify the number of titles or the license fee per title or the windows of availability per title, so that the license fee is not known or reasonably determinable for a specific title. Typical payment terms for these agreements, which can range from three to five years, require us to make equal fixed payments at the beginning of each quarter of the license term. To the extent that cumulative payments exceed cumulative amortization, prepaid content is recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. We amortize the license fees on a straight-line basis over the term of each license agreement. The amortization is classified in “Cost of revenues—Subscription” on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and in the line item “Net income” within net cash provided by operating activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Changes in prepaid content are classified within net cash provided by operating activities in the line item “Prepaid content” on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Commitments for licenses that do not meet the criteria for asset recognition in the content library are included in Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements.
Streaming content licenses (including both those that are recorded in the streaming content library and those that do not meet the criteria for asset recognition) are reviewed in aggregate at the geographic region level for impairment when an event or change in circumstances indicates a change in the expected usefulness of the content. The level of geographic aggregation is determined based on the streaming content rights which are generally specific to a geographic region inclusive of several countries (such as Latin America). An impairment would be recorded as necessary to adjust the streaming content library to the lower of unamortized cost or estimated net realizable value. No material write down from unamortized cost to a lower net realizable value was recorded in any of the periods presented.
We acquire DVD content for the purpose of renting such content to our subscribers and earning subscription rental revenues, and, as such, we consider our direct purchase DVD library to be a productive asset. Accordingly, we classify our DVD library in “Non-current content library” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The acquisition of DVD content library, net of changes in related liabilities, is classified in the line item “Acquisitions of DVD content library” within cash used in investing activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows because the DVD content library is considered a productive asset. Other companies in the in-home entertainment video industry classify these cash flows as operating activities. We amortize our direct purchase DVDs, less estimated salvage value, on a “sum-of-the-months” accelerated basis over their estimated useful lives. The useful life of the new release DVDs and back-catalog DVDs is estimated to be one year and three years, respectively. The amortization of the DVD content library is classified in “Cost of revenues—Subscription” on the Consolidated Statement of Operations and in the line item “Amortization of DVD content library” within net cash provided by operating activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. We also obtain DVD content through revenue sharing agreements with studios and distributors. Revenue sharing obligations incurred based on utilization are classified in “Cost of revenues—Subscription” on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and in the line item “Net income” within net cash provided by operating activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The terms of some revenue sharing agreements obligate us to make a low initial payment for certain titles, representing a minimum contractual obligation under the agreement. The low initial payment is in exchange for a commitment to share a percentage of our subscription revenues or to pay a fee, based on utilization, for a defined period of time. The initial payment may be in the form of an upfront non-refundable payment which is classified in content library or in the form of a prepayment of future revenue sharing obligations which is classified as prepaid content.

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Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-based compensation expense at the grant date is based on the total number of options granted and an estimate of the fair value of the awards expected to vest and is recognized as expense ratably over the requisite service period, which is the vesting period.
We calculate the fair value of new stock-based compensation awards under our stock option plans using a lattice-binomial model. This model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including price volatility of the underlying stock. Changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the estimate of fair value of options granted and our results of operations could be impacted.
 
Expected Volatility: Our computation of expected volatility is based on a blend of historical volatility of our common stock and implied volatility of tradable forward call options to purchase shares of our common stock. Our decision to incorporate implied volatility was based on our assessment that implied volatility of publicly traded options in our common stock is more reflective of market conditions and, therefore, can reasonably be expected to be a better indicator of expected volatility than historical volatility of our common stock. We include the historical volatility in our computation due to low trade volume of our tradable forward call options in certain periods thereby precluding sole reliance on implied volatility. An increase of 10% in our computation of expected volatility would increase the total stock-based compensation expense by approximately $0.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012.
Suboptimal Exercise Factor: Our computation of the suboptimal exercise factor is based on historical option exercise behavior and the terms and vesting periods of the options granted and is determined for both executives and non-executives. An increase in the suboptimal exercise factor of 10% would increase the total stock-based compensation expense by approximately $0.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012.
Income Taxes
We record a provision for income taxes for the anticipated tax consequences of our reported results of operations using the asset and liability method. Deferred income taxes are recognized by applying enacted statutory tax rates to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, as well as net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The measurement of deferred tax assets is reduced, if necessary, by a valuation allowance for any tax benefits for which future realization is uncertain.
Although we believe our assumptions, judgments and estimates are reasonable, changes in tax laws or our interpretation of tax laws and the resolution of any tax audits could significantly impact the amounts provided for income taxes in our consolidated financial statements.
In evaluating our ability to recover our deferred tax assets, in full or in part, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including our past operating results, and our forecast of future earnings, future taxable income and prudent and feasible tax planning strategies. The assumptions utilized in determining future taxable income require significant judgment and are consistent with the plans and estimates we are using to manage the underlying businesses. Actual operating results in future years could differ from our current assumptions, judgments and estimates. However, we believe that it is more likely than not that substantially all deferred tax assets recorded on our balance sheet will ultimately be realized. In the event we were to determine that we would not be able to realize all or part of our net deferred tax assets in the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax assets would be charged to earnings in the period in which we make such determination.
We did not recognize certain tax benefits from uncertain tax positions within the provision for income taxes. We may recognize a tax benefit only if it is more likely than not the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such positions are then measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement. At September 30, 2012, our estimated gross unrecognized tax benefits were $29.2 million of which $23.0 million, if recognized, would favorably impact our future earnings. Due to uncertainties in any tax audit outcome, our estimates of the ultimate settlement of our unrecognized tax positions may change and the actual tax benefits may differ significantly from the estimates. See Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements for further information regarding income taxes.

Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
For financial market risks related to changes in interest rates, reference is made to Item 7A “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” contained in Part II of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. Our exposure to market risk has not changed significantly since December 31, 2011.

Item 4.Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

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Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q were effective in providing reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal controls will prevent all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within Netflix have been detected.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2012 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.



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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.Legal Proceedings
The information set forth under Note 8 in the notes to the consolidated financial statements under the caption “Legal Proceedings” is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 1A.Risk Factors
There have been no material changes from the risk factors as previously disclosed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Item 6.Exhibits
(a) Exhibits:
ExhibitNumber Exhibit Description Incorporated by Reference Filed
Herewith
    Form File No. Exhibit Filing Date  
        
    3.1 Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation 10-Q 000-49802 3.1 August 2, 2004  
        
    3.2 Amended and Restated Bylaws 8-K 000-49802 3.1 March 20, 2009  
        
    3.3 Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation 10-Q 000-49802 3.3 August 2, 2004  
        
    4.1 Form of Common Stock Certificate S-1/A 333-83878 4.1 April 16, 2002  
        
    4.2 Indenture, dated November 6, 2009, among Netflix, Inc., the guarantors from time to time party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, relating to the 8.50% Senior Notes due 2017. 8-K 000-49802 4.1 November 9, 2009  
        
    4.3 Indenture, dated November 28, 2011, among Netflix, Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, relating to the Zero Coupon Senior Convertible Notes due 2018. 8-K 000-49802 4.1 November 28, 2011  
    4.4 Registration Rights Agreement dated November 28, 2011, by and among Netflix, Inc., TCV VII, L.P., TCV VII(A), L.P. and TCV Member Fund, L.P. 8-K 000-49802 10.1 November 28, 2011  
  10.1† Form of Indemnification Agreement entered into by the registrant with each of its executive officers and directors S-1/A 333-83878 10.1 March 20, 2002  
        
  10.2† 2002 Employee Stock Purchase Plan Def 14A 000-49802 A April 8, 2010  
        
  10.3† Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Plan S-1/A 333-83878 10.3 May 16, 2002  
        
  10.4† Amended and Restated 2002 Stock Plan Def 14A 000-49802 A March 31, 2006  
        
  10.5 Amended and Restated Stockholders’ Rights Agreement S-1 333-83878 10.5 March 6, 2002  
        
  10.6† 2011 Stock Plan Def 14A 000-49802 A April 20, 2011  
        
  10.8† Description of Director Equity Compensation Plan 8-K 000-49802 99.1 June 16, 2010  
        
  10.9† Description of Director Equity Compensation Plan 8-K 000-49802 10.1 December 28, 2009  
        
  10.10† Amended and Restated Executive Severance and Retention Incentive Plan 10-Q 000-49802 10.10 May 7, 2009  
        
  31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002         X
        
  31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002         X
        
  32.1* Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002         X
        
101 The following financial information from Netflix, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2012 filed with the SEC on October 29, 2012, formatted in XBRL includes: (i) Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 (iii) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 and (v) the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.         X

*These certifications are not deemed filed by the SEC and are not to be incorporated by reference in any filing we make under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, irrespective of any general incorporation language in any filings.
Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan.

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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 NETFLIX, INC.
Dated: October 29,30, 2012By:
/s/    REED HASTINGS        
  
Reed Hastings
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal executive officer)
   
Dated: October 29,30, 2012By:
/s/    DAVID WELLS        
  
David Wells
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal financial and accounting officer)


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EXHIBIT INDEX
 
Exhibit
Number
 Exhibit Description Incorporated by Reference Filed
Herewith
    Form File No. Exhibit Filing Date  
        
    3.1 Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation 10-Q 000-49802 3.1 August 2, 2004  
        
    3.2 Amended and Restated Bylaws 8-K 000-49802 3.1 March 20, 2009  
        
    3.3 Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation 10-Q 000-49802 3.3 August 2, 2004  
        
    4.1 Form of Common Stock Certificate S-1/A 333-83878 4.1 April 16, 2002  
        
    4.2 Indenture, dated November 6, 2009, among Netflix, Inc., the guarantors from time to time party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, Nation Association, relating to the 8.50% Senior Notes due 2017. 8-K 000-49802 4.1 November 9, 2009  
        
    4.3 Indenture, dated November 28, 2011, among Netflix, Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, relating to the Zero Coupon Senior Convertible Notes due 2018. 8-K 000-49802 4.1 November 28, 2011  
    4.4 Registration Rights Agreement dated November 28, 2011, by and among Netflix, Inc., TCV VII, L.P., TCV VII(A), L.P. and TCV Member Fund, L.P. 8-K 000-49802 10.1 November 28, 2011  
  10.1† Form of Indemnification Agreement entered into by the registrant with each of its executive officers and directors S-1/A 333-83878 10.1 March 20, 2002  
        
  10.2† 2002 Employee Stock Purchase Plan Def 14A 000-49802 A April 8, 2010  
        
  10.3† Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Plan S-1/A 333-83878 10.3 May 16, 2002  
        
  10.4† Amended and Restated 2002 Stock Plan Def 14A 000-49802 A March 31, 2006  
        
  10.5 Amended and Restated Stockholders’ Rights Agreement S-1 333-83878 10.5 March 6, 2002  
        
  10.6† 2011 Stock Plan Def 14A 000-49802 A April 20, 2011  
        
  10.8† Description of Director Equity Compensation Plan 8-K 000-49802 99.1 June 16, 2010  
        
  10.9† Description of Director Equity Compensation Plan 8-K 000-49802 10.1 December 28, 2009  
        
  10.10† Amended and Restated Executive Severance and Retention Incentive Plan 10-Q 000-49802 10.10 May 7, 2009  
        
  31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002         X
        
  31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002         X
        
  32.1* Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002         X
        
101 
The following financial information from Netflix, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2012 filed with the SEC on October 29, 2012, formatted in XBRL includes: (i) Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 (iii) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 and (v) the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
         X
Exhibit
Number
Exhibit DescriptionIncorporated by ReferenceFiled
Herewith
FormFile No.ExhibitFiling Date
  31.1Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002X
  31.2Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002X
  32.1*Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002X
 


*These certifications are not deemed filed by the SEC and are not to be incorporated by reference in any filing we make under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, irrespective of any general incorporation language in any filings.
Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan.


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