UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
 
(Mark One)
xQUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2018
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: 001-35727
 
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  x    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  x    No   o  
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filerx Accelerated filero
Non-accelerated filero(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)Smaller reporting companyo
   Emerging growth companyo
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  o    No  x
As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, there were 432,731,130434,657,303 shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.001, outstanding.

Table of Contents
 
  Page
 Part I. Financial Information 
Item 1.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
 Part II. Other Information
Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 6.
 
 


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

Three Months Ended Nine Months EndedThree Months Ended
September 30,
2017
 September 30,
2016
 September 30,
2017
 September 30,
2016
March 31,
2018
 March 31,
2017
Revenues$2,984,859
 $2,290,188
 $8,406,958
 $6,353,128
$3,700,856
 $2,636,635
Cost of revenues1,992,980
 1,532,844
 5,552,312
 4,375,482
2,196,075
 1,657,024
Marketing312,490
 282,043
 858,083
 706,082
479,222
 271,270
Technology and development255,236
 216,099
 779,427
 626,907
300,730
 257,108
General and administrative215,526
 153,166
 623,760
 418,798
278,251
 194,291
Operating income208,627
 106,036
 593,376
 225,859
446,578
 256,942
Other income (expense):          
Interest expense(60,688) (35,536) (162,912) (106,528)(81,219) (46,742)
Interest and other income (expense)(31,702) 8,627
 (76,473) 50,907
(65,743) 13,592
Income before income taxes116,237
 79,127
 353,991
 170,238
299,616
 223,792
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes(13,353) 27,610
 (19,421) 50,308
Provision for income taxes9,492
 45,570
Net income$129,590
 $51,517
 $373,412
 $119,930
$290,124
 $178,222
Earnings per share:          
Basic$0.30
 $0.12
 $0.87
 $0.28
$0.67
 $0.41
Diluted$0.29
 $0.12
 $0.84
 $0.27
$0.64
 $0.40
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:          
Basic432,404
 428,937
 431,473
 428,514
434,174
 430,600
Diluted447,362
 438,389
 446,367
 438,180
450,359
 445,458












See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

NETFLIX, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(unaudited)
(in thousands)
Three Months Ended Nine Months EndedThree Months Ended
September 30,
2017
 September 30,
2016
 September 30,
2017
 September 30,
2016
March 31,
2018
 March 31,
2017
Net income$129,590
 $51,517
 $373,412
 $119,930
$290,124
 $178,222
Other comprehensive income (loss):       
Other comprehensive income:   
Foreign currency translation adjustments
5,678
 2,357
 22,604
 5,453
24,821
 2,579
Change in unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax of $212, $(412), $378, and $810, respectively328
 (676) 599
 1,325
Change in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, net of tax of $0, $77, respectively
 127
Total other comprehensive income6,006
 1,681
 23,203
 6,778
24,821
 2,706
Comprehensive income$135,596
 $53,198
 $396,615
 $126,708
$314,945
 $180,928
























See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

NETFLIX, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited)
(in thousands)
Three Months Ended Nine Months EndedThree Months Ended
September 30,
2017
 September 30,
2016
 September 30,
2017
 September 30,
2016
March 31,
2018
 March 31,
2017
Cash flows from operating activities:          
Net income$129,590
 $51,517
 $373,412
 $119,930
$290,124
 $178,222
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:          
Additions to streaming content assets(2,315,017) (2,442,080) (7,328,104) (6,550,445)(2,986,747) (2,348,666)
Change in streaming content liabilities(34,587) 529,885
 846,560
 1,674,125
378,885
 366,257
Amortization of streaming content assets1,627,477
 1,224,108
 4,483,954
 3,457,990
1,748,844
 1,305,683
Amortization of DVD content assets13,259
 19,284
 48,368
 59,746
11,134
 18,598
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and intangibles19,238
 14,410
 52,838
 43,339
19,041
 15,049
Stock-based compensation expense44,763
 43,495
 133,679
 130,029
68,395
 44,888
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
 (12,762) 
 (37,401)
Other non-cash items9,896
 9,682
 43,081
 31,479
8,209
 21,666
Foreign currency remeasurement loss on long-term debt50,830
 
 115,050
 
41,080
 
Deferred taxes(57,090) 14,338
 (104,556) (20,141)(22,049) (26,764)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:          
Other current assets(41,399) 10,250
 (147,000) 48,649
(55,905) (25,402)
Accounts payable34,029
 27,810
 10,590
 16,707
74,083
 (11,000)
Accrued expenses74,006
 28,957
 119,506
 72,288
119,049
 93,542
Deferred revenue32,947
 30,230
 94,777
 80,485
55,270
 15,221
Other non-current assets and liabilities(7,549) (11,065) (40,146) (43,604)13,830
 8,850
Net cash used in operating activities(419,607) (461,941) (1,297,991) (916,824)(236,757) (343,856)
Cash flows from investing activities:          
Acquisitions of DVD content assets(10,217) (17,249) (43,213) (58,380)
Acquisition of DVD content assets(10,796) (25,372)
Purchases of property and equipment(33,963) (27,366) (151,717) (46,605)(37,170) (52,523)
Change in other assets(1,107) 125
 (2,940) 676
(1,786) (769)
Purchases of short-term investments(2,799) (128,136) (74,819) (181,590)
 (57,774)
Proceeds from sale of short-term investments250,278
 171,747
 320,154
 198,687

 55,748
Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments
 24,855
 22,705
 112,555

 5,100
Net cash provided by investing activities202,192
 23,976
 70,170
 25,343
Net cash used in investing activities(49,752) (75,590)
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Proceeds from issuance of debt
 
 1,420,510
 
Issuance costs(312) 
 (15,325) 
Proceeds from issuance of common stock34,669
 3,819
 73,673
 11,587
56,335
 24,178
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
 12,762
 
 37,401
Other financing activities65
 58
 189
 170
(321) 61
Net cash provided by financing activities34,422
 16,639
 1,479,047
 49,158
56,014
 24,239
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents10,685
 (441) 27,667
 2,151
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents(172,308) (421,767) 278,893
 (840,172)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period1,918,777
 1,390,925
 1,467,576
 1,809,330
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period$1,746,469
 $969,158
 $1,746,469
 $969,158
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash7,177
 5,455
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash(223,318) (389,752)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period2,822,795
 1,467,576
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period$2,599,477
 $1,077,824
Supplemental disclosure:          
Change in investing activities included in liabilities$(6,876) $17,243
 $(27,041) $15,486
Increase (decrease) in investing activities included in liabilities$3,917
 $(16,672)
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

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

As ofAs of
September 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
March 31,
2018
 December 31,
2017
(unaudited)  (unaudited)  
Assets      
Current assets:      
Cash and cash equivalents$1,746,469
 $1,467,576
$2,593,666
 $2,822,795
Short-term investments
 266,206
Current content assets, net4,223,387
 3,726,307
4,626,522
 4,310,934
Other current assets415,492
 260,202
597,388
 536,245
Total current assets6,385,348
 5,720,291
7,817,576
 7,669,974
Non-current content assets, net9,739,704
 7,274,501
11,314,803
 10,371,055
Property and equipment, net322,421
 250,395
341,932
 319,404
Other non-current assets504,067
 341,423
678,486
 652,309
Total assets$16,951,540
 $13,586,610
$20,152,797
 $19,012,742
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity      
Current liabilities:      
Current content liabilities$4,142,086
 $3,632,711
$4,466,081
 $4,173,041
Accounts payable301,443
 312,842
436,183
 359,555
Accrued expenses331,723
 197,632
429,431
 315,094
Deferred revenue535,425
 443,472
673,892
 618,622
Total current liabilities5,310,677
 4,586,657
6,005,587
 5,466,312
Non-current content liabilities3,296,504
 2,894,654
3,444,476
 3,329,796
Long-term debt4,888,783
 3,364,311
6,542,373
 6,499,432
Other non-current liabilities128,215
 61,188
139,631
 135,246
Total liabilities13,624,179
 10,906,810
16,132,067
 15,430,786
Commitments and contingencies (Note 6)

 



 

Stockholders’ equity:      
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 4,990,000,000 shares authorized at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016; 432,731,130 and 430,054,212 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively1,807,123
 1,599,762
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(25,362) (48,565)
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 4,990,000,000 shares authorized at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017; 434,657,303 and 433,392,686 issued and outstanding at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively1,995,225
 1,871,396
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)4,264
 (20,557)
Retained earnings1,545,600
 1,128,603
2,021,241
 1,731,117
Total stockholders’ equity3,327,361
 2,679,800
4,020,730
 3,581,956
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$16,951,540
 $13,586,610
$20,152,797
 $19,012,742




See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

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

1. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
The accompanying interim consolidated financial statements of Netflix, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (the “Company”) have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S.”) and are consistent in all material respects with those applied in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended by Form 10-K/A, for the year ended December 31, 20162017 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on January 27, 2017.February 5, 2018. The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the streaming content asset amortization policy;policy and the recognition and measurement of income tax assets and liabilities; and the valuation of stock-based compensation.liabilities. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. On a regular basis, the Company evaluates the assumptions, judgments and estimates. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The interim financial information is unaudited, but reflects all normal recurring adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to fairly present the information set forth herein. The interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended by Form 10-K/A, for the year ended December 31, 2016.2017. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results for a full year.
The Company has three reportable segments: Domestic streaming, International streaming and Domestic DVD, all of which derive revenue from monthly membership fees. See Note 10 for further detail on the Company's segments.
There have been no material changes in the Company’s significant accounting policies, other than the adoption of Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-09 described below and in Note 9 and ASU 2017-01 describedaccounting pronouncements below, as compared to the significant accounting policies described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2017.

Recently adopted accounting pronouncements
In March 2016,May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which amends Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation. ASU 2016-09 simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. Under the new standard, all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies are recorded as a component of the provision for income taxes in the reporting period in which they occur. Additionally, ASU 2016-09 requires that the Company present excess tax benefits on the Statement of Cash Flows as an operating activity. ASU 2016-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company adopted ASU 2016-09 in the first quarter of 2017 and elected to apply this adoption prospectively. Prior periods have not been adjusted. See Note 9 for information regarding the impact on the Company’s financial statements.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805):Clarifying the Definition of a Business. The standard provides guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. If substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired (or disposed of) is concentrated in a single asset or a group of similar assets, the assets acquired (or disposed of) are not considered a business. ASU 2017-01 is effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (including interim periods within those periods) with early adoption permitted. The Company early adopted the standard in the third quarter of 2017 on a prospective basis and the impact on its consolidated financial statements was not material.

Recently issued accounting pronouncements not yet adopted
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) which amended the existing accounting standards for revenue recognition. ASU 2014-09 establishes principles for recognizing revenue upon the transfer of promised goods or services to customers, in an amount that reflects the expected consideration received in exchange for those goods or services. In July 2015, the FASB deferred the effective date for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (including interim reporting periods within those periods). Early adoption is permitted to the original effective date for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 (including interim reporting periods within those periods). The amendments may be applied retrospectively to each prior period (full retrospective) or retrospectively with the cumulative effect recognized as of the date of initial application (modified retrospective). The Company will adoptadopted ASU 2014-09 in the first quarter of 2018 using the modified retrospective approach. Because the Company's primary source of revenues is from monthly membership fees which are recognized ratably over each monthly membership period, the impact on its consolidated financial statements is not material.
In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Restricted Cash, which requires amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the total beginning and ending amounts for the periods shown on the statement of cash flows. The Company does not expectadopted ASU 2016-18 in the first quarter of 2018 and the impact on its consolidated financial statements is not material as the Company's restricted cash balances are immaterial.
In January 2018, the FASB released guidance on the accounting for tax on the global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”) provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”). The GILTI provisions impose a tax on foreign income in excess of a deemed return on tangible assets of foreign corporations. In the first quarter of 2018, the Company elected to be material.treat any potential GILTI inclusions as a period cost.

Recently issued accounting pronouncements not yet adopted
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) in order to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for those leases classified as operating leases under previous

GAAP. ASU 2016-02 requires that a lessee should recognize a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term on the balance sheet. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 (including interim periods within those periods) using a modified retrospective approach and early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt ASU 2016-02 in the first quarter of 2019. Although the Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of the ASU on its consolidated financial statements, the Company currently believes the most significant changeschange will be related to the recognition of new right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on the Company's balance sheet for real estate operating leases.
In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Restricted Cash, which requires amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the total beginning and ending amounts for the periods shown on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-18 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 (including interim periods within those periods) using a retrospective transition method to each period presented and early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt ASU 2016-18 in the first quarter of 2018 and does not expect the impact on its consolidated financial statements to be material.


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 common shares outstanding during the period. Potential common shares consist of incremental shares issuable upon the assumed exercise of stock options. The computation of earnings per share is as follows:
Three Months Ended Nine Months EndedThree Months Ended
September 30,
2017
 September 30,
2016
 September 30,
2017
 September 30,
2016
March 31,
2018
 March 31,
2017
(in thousands, except per share data)(in thousands, except per share data)
Basic earnings per share:          
Net income$129,590
 $51,517
 $373,412
 $119,930
$290,124
 $178,222
Shares used in computation:          
Weighted-average common shares outstanding432,404
 428,937
 431,473
 428,514
434,174
 430,600
Basic earnings per share$0.30
 $0.12
 $0.87
 $0.28
$0.67
 $0.41
          
Diluted earnings per share:          
Net income$129,590
 $51,517
 $373,412
 $119,930
$290,124
 $178,222
Shares used in computation:          
Weighted-average common shares outstanding432,404
 428,937
 431,473
 428,514
434,174
 430,600
Employee stock options14,958
 9,452
 14,894
 9,666
16,185
 14,858
Weighted-average number of shares447,362
 438,389
 446,367
 438,180
450,359
 445,458
Diluted earnings per share$0.29
 $0.12
 $0.84
 $0.27
$0.64
 $0.40

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:These anti-dilutive stock options were immaterial for each period presented.
3. Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
 Three Months Ended Nine months ended
 September 30,
2017
 September 30,
2016
 September 30,
2017
 September 30,
2016
 (in thousands)
Employee stock options187
 2,559
 213
 1,942
 As of March 31, 2018
 Cash and cash equivalents Non-current Assets (1)
 (in thousands)
Cash$1,867,506
 $4,531
Level 1 securities:   
Money market funds726,160
 1,280



3. Short-term Investments
In July 2017, the Company sold all short-term investments. As of September 30, 2017, $13.9 million and $1.3 million of money market funds, classified as Level 1 securities, were included in Cash and cash equivalents and Non-current assets, respectively, on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet. Additionally, $3.6 million of restricted cash is included in Non-current assets on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet.
The following table summarizes, by major security type, the Company’s assets at December 31, 2016 that were measured at fair value, the category using the fair value hierarchy and where they are classified on the Consolidated Balance Sheets:
 As of December 31, 2016
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 Cash and cash equivalents Short-term investments Non-current assets (1)
 (in thousands)
Cash$1,267,523
 $
 $
 $1,267,523
 $1,264,126
 $
 $3,397
Level 1 securities:             
Money market funds204,967
 
 
 204,967
 203,450
 
 1,517
Level 2 securities:             
Corporate debt securities199,843
 110
 (731) 199,222
 
 199,222
 
Government securities35,944
 
 (128) 35,816
 
 35,816
 
Certificates of deposit9,833
 
 
 9,833
 
 9,833
 
Agency securities21,563
 
 (228) 21,335
 
 21,335
 
Total$1,739,673
 $110
 $(1,087) $1,738,696
 $1,467,576
 $266,206
 $4,914

 As of December 31, 2017
 Cash and cash equivalents Non-current Assets (1)
 (in thousands)
Cash$2,072,296
 $4,367
Level 1 securities:   
Money market funds449,734
 1,276
Level 2 securities:   
Time Deposits300,765
 
(1) Primarily restrictedRestricted cash that is related to workers compensation deposits and letter of credit agreements.
Fair value Balance as of March 31, 2018 is a market-based measurement that is determined basedincluded in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash 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 assessmentConsolidated Statements of the transparency and reliability of the inputs used in the valuation of such instrument at the measurement date. The fair value of available-for-sale securities and cash equivalents included in the Level 1 category is based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market. The fair value of available-for-sale securities included in the Level 2 category is based on observable inputs, such as quoted prices for similar assets at the measurement date; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly. These values were obtained from an independent pricing service and were evaluated using pricing models that vary by asset class and may incorporate available trade, bid and other market information and price quotes from well-established independent pricing vendors and broker-dealers. The Company's procedures include controls to ensure that appropriate fair values are recorded, such as comparing prices obtained from multiple independent sources. See Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements for further information regarding the fair value of the Company’s senior notes.Cash Flows.
There were no material gross realized gains or losses in the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, respectively.


4. Balance Sheet Components
Content Assets
Content assets consisted of the following:
As ofAs of
September 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
March 31,
2018
 December 31,
2017
(in thousands)(in thousands)
Licensed content, net$11,462,217
 $9,595,315
$12,508,344
 $11,771,778
      
Produced content, net

 



 

Released, less amortization984,945
 335,400
1,643,252
 1,427,256
In production1,338,208
 1,010,463
1,613,898
 1,311,137
In development and pre-production163,393
 34,215
161,497
 158,517
2,486,546
 1,380,078
3,418,647
 2,896,910
DVD, net14,328
 25,415
14,334
 13,301
Total$13,963,091
 $11,000,808
$15,941,325
 $14,681,989
      
Current content assets, net$4,223,387
 $3,726,307
$4,626,522
 $4,310,934
Non-current content assets, net$9,739,704
 $7,274,501
$11,314,803
 $10,371,055
Produced
On average, over 90% of a licensed or produced streaming content asset is included in "Non-current content assets, net" onexpected to be amortized within four years after its month of first availability.

As of March 31, 2018, over 30% of the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Certain original content$15.9 billion unamortized cost is licensedexpected to be amortized within one year and therefore not included in produced content. Of29%, 79% and over 80% of the $1.6 billion unamortized cost of the produced content that has been released approximately 29%, 79% and over 80% of the unamortized cost is expected to be amortized overwithin one year, three years and four years, respectively.

As of March 31, 2018, the next twelve, thirty-six and forty-eight months, respectively. The amount of accrued participations and residuals iswas not material.
Property and Equipment, Net
Property and equipment and accumulated depreciation consisted of the following:
 As of  As of 
 September 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
 
Estimated Useful Lives

 March 31,
2018
 December 31,
2017
 
Estimated Useful Lives

 (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Information technology assets $225,988
 $185,345
 3 years $226,652
 $223,850
 3 years
Furniture and fixtures 47,312
 32,185
 3 years 49,507
 49,217
 3 years
Buildings 40,681
 40,681
 30 years 40,681
 40,681
 30 years
Leasehold improvements 218,242
 107,945
 Over life of lease 233,119
 229,848
 Over life of lease
DVD operations equipment 68,196
 70,152
 5 years 59,016
 59,316
 5 years
Corporate aircraft 29,391
 
 8 years 57,938
 30,039
 8 years
Capital work-in-progress 14,412
 108,296
 
 12,885
 8,267
 
Property and equipment, gross 644,222
 544,604
  679,798
 641,218
 
Less: Accumulated depreciation (321,801) (294,209)  (337,866) (321,814) 
Property and equipment, net $322,421
 $250,395
  $341,932
 $319,404
 

Deferred Revenue

The decreaseCompany’s primary source of revenues are from monthly membership fees. Members are billed in capital work-in-progressadvance of the start of their monthly membership and revenues are recognized ratably over each monthly membership period. Revenues are presented net of the taxes that are collected from members and remitted to governmental authorities. The Company is the principal in all its relationships where partners, including consumer electronics (“CE”) manufacturers, multichannel video programming distributors (“MVPDs”), mobile operators and internet service providers (“ISPs”), provide access to the service as the Company retains control over service delivery to its members. Typically, payments made to the partners, such as for marketing, are expensed, but in the case where the price that the member pays is established by the partners and there is no standalone price for the Netflix service (for instance, in a bundle), these payments are recognized as a reduction of revenues.

Deferred revenue consists of membership fees billed that have not been recognized, as well as gift and other prepaid memberships that have not been fully redeemed. As of March 31, 2018, total deferred revenue was $673.9 million, the vast majority of which was related to membership fees billed that are expected to be recognized as revenue within the next month. The remaining deferred revenue balance, which is related to gift cards and other prepaid memberships, will be recognized as revenue over the period of service after redemption, which is expected to occur over the next 12 months. The $55.3 million increase in deferred revenue as compared to the year ended December 31, 20162017 is primarilya result of the increase in membership fees billed due to leasehold improvements for the Company's expanded Los Gatos, California headquartersincreased members and the Company's new Los Angeles, California facility, both of which were placed into operation in the first quarter of 2017.average monthly revenue per paying member.



5. Long-term Debt

As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, the Company had aggregate outstanding long-term debtnotes of $4,888.8$6,542.4 million, net of $46.8$60.0 million of issuance costs, with varying maturities (the "Notes"). Each of the Notes were issued at par and are senior unsecured obligations of the Company. Interest is payable semi-annually at fixed rates.
The following table provides a summary of the Company's Notesoutstanding long-term debt and the fair values based on quoted market prices in less active markets as of September 30, 2017March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2016:2017:
  Level 2 Fair Value as of   Level 2 Fair Value as of
Principal Amount at Par Issuance Date Maturity Interest Payment Dates September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Principal Amount at Par Issuance Date Maturity Interest Payment Dates March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017
(in millions) (in millions) (in millions) (in millions)
5.375% Senior Notes $500
 February 2013 February 2021 February 1 and August 1 $519
 $530
5.750% Senior Notes 400
 February 2014 March 2024 March 1 and September 1 417
 427
5.875% Senior Notes 800
 February 2015 February 2025 April 15 and October 15 839
 856
5.50% Senior Notes 700
 February 2015 February 2022 April 15 and October 15 727
 739
4.375% Senior Notes 1,000
 October 2016 November 2026 May 15 and November 15 946
 983
3.625% Senior Notes (1)$1,535.6
 May 2017 2027 May 15 and November 15 $1,563
 $
 1,602
 May 2017 May 2027 May 15 and November 15 1,579
 1,575
4.375% Senior Notes1,000.0
 October 2016 2026 May 15 and November 15 1,006
 975
5.50% Senior Notes700.0
 February 2015 2022 April 15 and October 15 765
 758
5.875% Senior Notes800.0
 February 2015 2025 April 15 and October 15 879
 868
5.750% Senior Notes400.0
 February 2014 2024 March 1 and September 1 436
 431
5.375% Senior Notes500.0
 February 2013 2021 February 1 and August 1 539
 539
4.875% Senior Notes 1,600
 October 2017 April 2028 April 15 and October 15 1,539
 1,571
$4,935.6
     $6,602
    
(1) Debt is denominated in euro with a €1,300 million aggregate principal amount and is remeasured into U.S. dollars at each balance sheet date. Total proceeds were $1,420.5 million
The expected timing of principal and remeasurement loss on long-term debt was $50.8 million and $115.1 millioninterest payments for the three and nine months ending September 30, 2017, respectively.these Senior Notes are as follows:
 As of 
 March 31,
2018
 December 31, 2017
 (in thousands)
Less than one year$312,828
 $311,339
Due after one year and through three years1,130,423
 627,444
Due after three years and through five years1,251,006
 1,761,465
Due after five years6,384,861
 6,348,580
Total debt obligations$9,079,118
 $9,048,828

Each of the Notes are repayable in whole or in part upon the occurrence of a change of control, at the option of the holders, at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal plus accrued interest. The Company may redeem the Notes prior to maturity in whole or in part at an amount equal to the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and an applicable premium. The Notes include, among other terms and conditions, limitations on the Company's ability to create, incur or allow certain liens; enter into sale and lease-back transactions; create, assume, incur or guarantee additional indebtedness of certain of the Company's subsidiaries; and consolidate or merge with, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of the Company's and its subsidiaries assets, to another person. As of September 30, 2017March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2016,2017, the Company was in compliance with all related covenants.
Revolving Credit Facility

In July 2017, the Company entered into a $500.0 million unsecured revolving credit facility (“Revolving Credit Agreement”), with an uncommitted incremental facility to increase the amount of the revolving credit facility by up to an additional $250.0 million, subject to certain terms and conditions. Revolving loans may be borrowed, repaid and reborrowed until July 27, 2022, at which time all amounts borrowed must be repaid. The Company may use the proceeds of future borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement for working capital and general corporate purposes. As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, no amounts have been borrowed under the Revolving Credit Agreement.

The borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement bear interest, at the Company’s option, of either a floating rate equal to a base rate (the “Alternate Base Rate”) or (ii) a rate equal to an adjusted London interbank offered rate (the “Adjusted LIBO Rate”), plus a margin of 0.75%. The Alternate Base Rate is defined as the greatest of (A) the rate of interest published by the Wall Street Journal, from time to time, as the prime rate, (B) the federal funds rate, plus 0.500% and (C) the Adjusted LIBO Rate for a one-month interest period, plus 1.00%. The Adjusted LIBO Rate is defined as the London interbank offered rate for deposits in U.S. dollars, for the relevant interest period, adjusted for statutory reserve requirements, but in no event shall the Adjusted LIBO Rate be less than 0.00% per annum.

The Company is also obligated to pay a commitment fee on the undrawn amounts of the Revolving Credit Agreement at a rate of 0.10%. The Revolving Credit Agreement requires the Company to comply with certain covenants, including covenants that limit or restrict the ability of the Company’s subsidiaries to incur debt and limit or restrict the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to grant liens and enter into sale and leaseback transactions; and, in the case of the Company or a guarantor, merge, consolidate, liquidate, dissolve or sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole. As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, the Company was in compliance with all related covenants.

6. Commitments and Contingencies

Streaming Content
As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, the Company had $17.0$17.9 billion of obligations comprised of $4.1$4.5 billion included in "Current content liabilities" and $3.3$3.4 billion of "Non-current content liabilities" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and $9.6$10.0 billion of obligations that are not reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as they did not yet meet the criteria for asset recognition.
As of December 31, 2016,2017, the Company had $14.5$17.7 billion of obligations comprised of $3.6$4.2 billion included in "Current content liabilities" and $2.9$3.3 billion of "Non-current content liabilities" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and $8.0$10.2 billion of obligations that are not reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as they did not yet meet the criteria for asset recognition.
The expected timing of payments for these streaming content obligations is as follows:
As of As of 
September 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
March 31,
2018
 December 31,
2017
(in thousands)(in thousands)
Less than one year$6,984,360
 $6,200,611
$7,949,544
 $7,446,947
Due after one year and through three years7,918,009
 6,731,336
8,015,837
 8,210,159
Due after three years and through five years1,918,123
 1,386,934
1,849,029
 1,894,001
Due after five years171,438
 160,606
123,272
 143,535
Total streaming content obligations$16,991,930
 $14,479,487
$17,937,682
 $17,694,642

Content obligations include amounts related to the acquisition, licensing and production of streaming content. Obligations that are in non-U.S. dollar currencies are translated to the U.S. dollar at period end rates. An obligation for the production of content includes non-cancelable commitments under creative talent and employment agreements.agreements as well as other production related commitments. An obligation for the acquisition and licensing of content is incurred at the time the Company enters into an agreement to obtain future titles. Once a title becomes available, a content liability is recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Certain agreements include the obligation to license rights for unknown future titles, the ultimate quantity and/or fees for which are not yet determinable as of the reporting date. Traditional film output deals, or certain TV series license agreements where the number of seasons to be aired is unknown, are examples of such license agreements. The Company does not include any estimated obligation for these future titles beyond the known minimum amount. However, the unknown obligations are expected to be significant.
Legal Proceedings
From time to time, in the normal course of its operations, the Company is subject to litigation matters and claims, including claims relating to employee relations, business practices and patent infringement. Litigation can be expensive and disruptive to normal business operations. Moreover, the results of complex legal proceedings are difficult to predict and the Company's view of these matters may change in the future as the litigation and events related thereto unfold. The Company expenses legal fees as incurred. The Company records a provision for contingent losses when it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. An unfavorable outcome to any legal matter, if material, could have an adverse effect on the Company's operations or its financial position, liquidity or results of operations.
The Company is involved in litigation matters not listed herein but does not consider the matters to be material either individually or in the aggregate at this time. The Company's view of the matters not listed may change in the future as the litigation and events related thereto unfold.
Indemnification
In the ordinary course of business, the Company has entered into contractual arrangements under which it has agreed to provide indemnification of varying scope and terms to business partners and other parties with respect to certain matters, including, but not limited to, losses arising out of the Company’s breach of such agreements and out of intellectual property infringement claims made by third parties. In these circumstances, payment may be conditional on the other party making a claim pursuant to the procedures specified in the particular contract.
The Company's obligations under these agreements may be limited in terms of time or amount, and in some instances, the Company may have recourse against third parties for certain payments. In addition, the Company has entered into indemnification agreements with its directors and certain of its officers that will require it, among other things, to indemnify them against certain liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as directors or officers. The terms of such obligations vary.

It is not possible to make a reasonable estimate of the maximum potential amount of future payments under these or similar agreements due to the conditional nature of the Company’s obligations and the unique facts and circumstances involved in each particular agreement. No amount has been accrued in the accompanying consolidated financial statements with respect to these indemnification obligations.


7. 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, 2017, 11.3March 31, 2018, 10.2 million shares were reserved for future grants under the 2011 Stock Plan.
A summary of the activities related to the Company’s stock option plans is as follows:
   Options Outstanding    
 Shares
Available
for Grant
 Number of
Shares
 
Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
(per share)
 Weighted-Average Remaining
Contractual Term
(in years)
 Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(in thousands)
Balances as of December 31, 201613,289,953
 22,437,347
 $44.83
    
Granted(1,988,266) 1,988,266
 151.82
    
Exercised
 (2,676,918) 27.53
    
Expired
 (1,561) 3.25
    
Balances as of September 30, 201711,301,687
 21,747,134
 $56.74
 6.04 $2,709,943
Vested and exercisable as of September 30, 2017  21,747,134
 $56.74
 6.04 $2,709,943
   Options Outstanding    
 Shares
Available
for Grant
 Number of
Shares
 
Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
(per share)
 Weighted-Average Remaining
Contractual Term
(in years)
 Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(in thousands)
Balances as of December 31, 201710,739,915
 21,647,350
 $61.13
    
Granted(553,220) 553,220
 252.69
    
Exercised
 (1,264,617) 43.84
    
Balances as of March 31, 201810,186,695
 20,935,953
 $67.24
 5.91 $4,775,786
Vested and exercisable as of March 31, 2018  20,935,953
 $67.24
 5.91 $4,775,786


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 thirdfirst quarter of 20172018 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options on the last trading day of the thirdfirst quarter of 2017.2018. This amount changes based on the fair market value of the Company’s common stock.
A summary of the amounts related to option exercises, is as follows:
Three Months Ended Nine Months EndedThree Months Ended
September 30,
2017
 September 30,
2016
 September 30,
2017
 September 30,
2016
March 31,
2018
 March 31,
2017
(in thousands)(in thousands)
Total intrinsic value of options exercised$142,664
 $35,443
 $351,488
 $104,168
$277,910
 $107,097
Cash received from options exercised34,669
 3,819
 73,673
 11,587
56,335
 24,178
Stock-based Compensation
Stock options granted are exercisable for the full ten year contractual term regardless of employment status. The following table summarizes the assumptions used to value option grants using the lattice-binomial model and the valuation data:
Three Months Ended Nine Months EndedThree Months Ended
September 30,
2017
 September 30,
2016
 September 30,
2017
 September 30,
2016
March 31,
2018
 March 31,
2017
Dividend yield% % % %% %
Expected volatility34% 41% 34% - 37%
 41% - 50%
40% 37%
Risk-free interest rate2.24% 1.57% 2.24% - 2.45%
 1.57% - 2.04%
2.61% 2.45%
Suboptimal exercise factor2.58
 2.48
 2.48 - 2.58
 2.48
2.80
 2.48
Weighted-average fair value (per share)$72.98
 $44.68
 $67.23
 $47.79
$123.63
 $62.36
Total stock-based compensation expense (in thousands)$44,763
 $43,495
 $133,679
 $130,029
$68,395
 $44,888
Total income tax impact on provision (in thousands)$14,428
 $16,294
 $43,606
 $48,828
$14,691
 $14,701

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

8. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

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

 Foreign currency Change in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities Total
 (in thousands)
Balance as of June 30, 2017$(31,040) $(328) $(31,368)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications5,678
 328
 6,006
Net decrease in other comprehensive loss5,678
 328
 6,006
Balances as of September 30, 2017$(25,362) $
 $(25,362)
March 31, 2018 increased $24.8 million due to cumulative translation adjustments for its non-US dollar functional currency subsidiaries.


 Foreign currency Change in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities Total
 (in thousands)
Balances as of December 31, 2016$(47,966) $(599) $(48,565)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications22,604
 599
 23,203
Net decrease in other comprehensive loss22,604
 599
 23,203
Balances as of September 30, 2017$(25,362) $
 $(25,362)
The amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss were immaterial for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017.



9. Income Taxes

The effective tax rates for the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2018 and 2017 were 3% and 2016 were (11)% and 35%, respectively. The effective tax rates for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 were (5)% and 30%20%, respectively. The effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2018 differed from the Federal statutory rate primarily due to the recognition of excess tax benefits of stock-based compensation and Federal and California research and development credits (“R&D”), partially offset by state taxes, foreign taxes, non-deductible expenses, and the international provisions from the U.S. tax reform enacted in December 2017. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2017 differed from the Federal statutory rate primarily due to the recognition of excess tax benefits as a component of the provision for income taxes attributable to the adoption of ASU 2016-09 and Federal and California research and development ("R&D") credits, partially offset by state taxes, foreign taxes, and non-deductible expenses. The effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 differed from the Federal statutory rate primarily due to Federal and California R&D credits partially offset by state taxes, foreign taxes and non-deductible expenses. The decrease in effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2018 as compared to the same period in 20162017 was due primarily to the recognitionreduction of the U.S. corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% as a result of the U.S. tax reform

enacted in December 2017. For the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company recognized a discrete tax benefit related to the excess tax benefits attributablefrom stock-based compensation of $60.7 million and $36.0 million, respectively.
In December 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Act”) was signed into law making significant changes to the adoptionInternal Revenue Code. Changes include, but are not limited to, a corporate tax rate decrease from 35% to 21% effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, the transition of ASU 2016-09U.S. international taxation from a worldwide tax system to a territorial system, and a one-time transition tax on the mandatory deemed repatriation of cumulative foreign earnings as of December 31, 2017.
On December 22, 2017, Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”) was issued to address the application of U.S. GAAP in situations when a registrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed (including computations) in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for certain income tax effects of the Act. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company obtained additional information affecting the provisional amount initially recorded for the transition tax for the three months ended December 31, 2017. As a result, the Company recorded an increaseimmaterial adjustment to the transition tax. Additional work is still necessary for a more detailed analysis of the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities and its historical foreign earnings as well as potential correlative adjustments. Any subsequent adjustment to these amounts will be recorded to current tax expense in foreign income taxed at rates lower than the US statutory rate.quarter of 2018 when the analysis is complete.
Gross unrecognized tax benefits were $37.2$47.8 million and $19.7$42.9 million as of September 30, 2017March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2016,2017, respectively. The gross unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized by the Company, will result in a reduction of approximately $33.3$44.5 million to the provision for income taxes thereby favorably impacting the Company’s effective tax rate. As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, gross unrecognized tax benefits of $15.8$25.4 million was classified as “Other non-current liabilities” and $21.4$22.4 million as a reduction to deferred tax assets which was classified as "Other non-current assets" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company includes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within the "Provision (benefit) for income taxes" on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and “Other non-current liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Interest and penalties included in the Company’s “Provision (benefit) for income taxes” were not material in any of the periods presented.
Deferred tax assets of $374.0$500.6 million and $227.2$478.3 million were classified as “Other non-current assets” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2017March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2016,2017, 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, 2017, theThe Company has a valuation allowance of $33.1$71.0 million and $49.4 million as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. The valuation allowance is primarily duerelated to certain foreign tax credit carryovers. As of December 31, 2016, it was considered morecarryovers that are not likely than not that substantially all deferred tax assets wouldto be realized.
As a result of the adoption of ASU 2016-09 in the first quarter of 2017, the Company recorded a cumulative effect adjustment to increase retained earnings by $43.6 million with a corresponding increase to deferred tax assets for the Federal and state net operating losses attributable to excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation which had not been previously recognized. All excess tax benefits and deficiencies in the current and future periods will be recognized as income tax expense in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Operations in the reporting period in which they occur. This will result in increased volatility in the Company’s effective tax rate. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company recognized a discrete tax benefit related to the excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation of $41.7 million and $110.5 million, respectively.
The Company files U.S. Federal, state and foreign tax returns. The Company is currently under examination by the IRS and the state of California for 2014 and 2015. The 20082016 Federal tax return remains subject to examination by the IRS. The 2009 through 20152016 state tax returns are subject to examination by state tax authorities. The Company has no significant foreign jurisdiction audits underway. The years 20112012 through 20162017 remain subject to examination by foreign tax authorities.
Given the potential outcome of the current examinations as well as the impact of the current examinations on the potential expiration of the statute of limitations, it is reasonably possible that the balance of unrecognized tax benefits could significantly change within the next twelve months. At this time, an estimate of the range of reasonably possible adjustments to the balance of unrecognized tax benefits cannot be made.

10. Segment Information
The Company has three reportable segments: Domestic streaming, International streaming and Domestic DVD. Segment information is presented in the same manner that the Company’s chief operating decision maker ("CODM"(“CODM”) reviews the operating results in assessing performance and allocating resources. The Company’s CODM reviews revenues and contribution profit (loss) for each of the reportable segments. Contribution profit (loss) is defined as revenues less cost of revenues and marketing expenses incurred by the segment. The Company has aggregated the results of the International operating segments into one reportable segment because these operating segments share similar long-term economic and other qualitative characteristics.
The Domestic streaming segment derives revenues from monthly membership fees for services consisting solely of streaming content to members in the United States. The International streaming segment derives revenues from monthly membership fees for services consisting solely of streaming content to members outside of the United States. The Domestic DVD segment derives revenues from monthly membership fees for services consisting solely of DVD-by-mail. Revenues and the related payment card fees are attributed to the operating segment based on the nature of the underlying membership (streaming or DVD) and the geographic region from which the membership originates. There are no internal revenue transactions between the Company’s segments.
The vast majority of the cost of revenues relate to content expenses, which include the amortizationAmortization of streaming content assets and other costs associated withmakes up the licensing and acquisitionvast majority of streaming content. In connection with the Company's global expansion, content acquired, licensed, and produced increasingly includes global rights.cost of revenues. The Company obtains multi-territory or global rights for its streaming content and allocates this contentthese rights between theDomestic and International and Domestic streaming segments based on estimated fair market value. ContentAmortization of content assets and other expenses associated with the acquisition, licensing, and production of streaming content for each streaming segment thus includeincludes both expenses directly incurred by the segment as well as an allocation of expenses incurred for global or multi-territory rights. Other costs of revenues such as

delivery costs are primarily attributed to the operating segment based on amounts directly incurred by the segment. Marketing expenses consist primarily of advertising expenses and certain payments made to

marketing partners, including consumer electronics ("CE"(“CE”) manufacturers, multichannel video programming distributors ("MVPDs"(“MVPDs”), mobile operators and internet service providers ("ISPs"(“ISPs”), which are generally included in the segment in which the expenditures are directly incurred.
The Company's long-lived tangible assets were located as follows:
As ofAs of
September 30,
2017
 December 31, 2016March 31,
2018
 December 31, 2017
(in thousands)(in thousands)
United States$293,733
 $236,977
$309,050
 $289,875
International28,688
 13,418
32,882
 29,529
The following tables representtable represents segment information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017:March 31, 2018:
 
 As of/ Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
 Domestic
Streaming
 International
Streaming
 Domestic
DVD
 Consolidated
 (in thousands)
Total memberships at end of period (1)52,772
 56,476
 3,569
 

Revenues$1,547,210
 $1,327,435
 $110,214
 $2,984,859
Cost of revenues864,408
 1,081,485
 47,087
 1,992,980
Marketing128,901
 183,589
 
 312,490
Contribution profit$553,901
 $62,361
 $63,127
 $679,389
Other operating expenses      470,762
Operating income      208,627
Other income (expense)      (92,390)
Benefit from income taxes      (13,353)
Net income      $129,590
As of/ Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017As of/ Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
Domestic
Streaming
 International
Streaming
 Domestic
DVD
 ConsolidatedDomestic
Streaming
 International
Streaming
 Domestic
DVD
 Consolidated
(in thousands)(in thousands)
Total memberships at end of period (1)52,772
 56,476
 3,569
 

56,705
 68,290
 3,167
  
Revenues$4,522,751
 $3,538,862
 $345,345
 $8,406,958
$1,820,019
 $1,782,086
 $98,751
 $3,700,856
Cost of revenues2,445,858
 2,946,414
 160,040
 5,552,312
894,873
 1,258,809
 42,393
 2,196,075
Marketing357,547
 500,536
 
 858,083
228,022
 251,200
 
 479,222
Contribution profit$1,719,346
 $91,912
 $185,305
 $1,996,563
$697,124
 $272,077
 $56,358
 $1,025,559
Other operating expenses      1,403,187
      578,981
Operating income      593,376
      446,578
Other income (expense)      (239,385)      (146,962)
Benefit from income taxes      (19,421)
Provision for income taxes      9,492
Net income      $373,412
      $290,124
The following tables representtable represents segment information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016:March 31, 2017:
As of/ Three Months Ended September 30, 2016As of/ Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
Domestic
Streaming
 International
Streaming
 Domestic
DVD
 ConsolidatedDomestic
Streaming
 International
Streaming
 Domestic
DVD
 Consolidated
(in thousands)(in thousands)
Total memberships at end of period (1)47,497
 39,246
 4,273
 

50,854
 47,894
 3,944
 

Revenues$1,304,333
 $853,480
 $132,375
 $2,290,188
$1,470,042
 $1,046,199
 $120,394
 $2,636,635
Cost of revenues720,658
 748,515
 63,671
 1,532,844
749,488
 847,317
 60,219
 1,657,024
Marketing108,495
 173,548
 
 282,043
115,038
 156,232
 
 271,270
Contribution profit (loss)$475,180
 $(68,583) $68,704
 $475,301
$605,516
 $42,650
 $60,175
 $708,341
Other operating expenses      369,265
      451,399
Operating income      106,036
      256,942
Other income (expense)      (26,909)      (33,150)
Provision for income taxes      27,610
      45,570
Net income      $51,517
      $178,222
 As of/ Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
 Domestic
Streaming
 International
Streaming
 Domestic
DVD
 Consolidated
 (in thousands)
Total memberships at end of period (1)47,497
 39,246
 4,273
 

Revenues$3,673,845
 $2,263,429
 $415,854
 $6,353,128
Cost of revenues2,094,310
 2,076,576
 204,596
 4,375,482
Marketing277,243
 428,839
 
 706,082
Contribution profit (loss)$1,302,292
 $(241,986) $211,258
 $1,271,564
Other operating expenses      1,045,705
Operating income      225,859
Other income (expense)      (55,621)
Provision for income taxes      50,308
Net income      $119,930

The following table represents the amortization of content assets:
 
Domestic
Streaming
 
International
Streaming
 
Domestic
DVD
 Consolidated
 (in thousands)
Three months ended September 30,       
2017$727,832
 $899,645
 $13,259
 $1,640,736
2016597,039
 627,069
 19,284
 1,243,392
Nine months ended September 30,       
20172,033,268
 2,450,686
 48,368
 4,532,322
20161,709,168
 1,748,822
 59,746
 3,517,736
 
Domestic
Streaming
 
International
Streaming
 
Domestic
DVD
 Consolidated
 (in thousands)
Three months ended March 31,       
2018$730,272
 $1,018,572
 $11,134
 $1,759,978
2017608,748
 696,935
 18,598
 1,324,281

(1)A membership (also referred to as a subscription) is defined as the right to receive Netflix service following sign-up and a method of payment being provided. Memberships are assigned to territories based on the geographic location used at time of sign-up as determined by the Company's internal systems, which utilize industry standard geo-location technology. The Company offers free-trial memberships to certain new and rejoining members. Total members include those who are on a free-trial as long as a method of payment has been provided. A membership is canceled and ceases to be reflected in the above metrics as of the effective cancellation date. Voluntary cancellations become effective at the end of the prepaid membership period, while involuntary cancellation of the service, as a result of a failed method of payment, becomes effective immediately.


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; the impact of, and the Company’s response to, new accounting standards; content amortization; pricing changes; dividends; impact of foreign currency and exchange rate fluctuations, including on net income, revenues and average revenues per paying member; investments in global streaming, including original content; impact of content on membership growth; cash use in connection with the acquisition, licensing and production of content; liquidity and free cash flow; unrecognized tax benefits; deferred tax assets; effective tax rate; accessing and obtaining additional capital, including future debt financing; accounting treatment for changes related to content assets; and future contractual obligations, including unknown streaming content obligations and timing of payments. 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. 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, as amended by Form 10-K/A, for the year ended December 31, 20162017 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on January 27, 2017,February 5, 2018, 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.
Investors and others should note that we announce material financial information to our investors using our investor relations Web site (http://ir.netflix.com), SEC filings, press releases, public conference calls and webcasts. We use these channels, as well as social media, to communicate with our members and the public about our company, our services and other issues. It is possible that the information we post on social media could be deemed to be material information. Therefore, we encourage investors, the media, and others interested in our company to review the information we post on the United States ("U.S.") social media channels listed on our investor relations Web site.

Overview
We are the world’s leading internet television network with over 109125 million streaming membersmemberships in over 190 countries enjoying more than 125140 million hours of TV shows and movies per day, including original series, documentaries and feature films. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on nearly any internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments. Additionally, in the U.S., our members can receive DVDs delivered quickly to their homes.
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 for internet-connected screens and have added increasing amounts of content that enable consumers to enjoy TV shows and movies directly on their internet-connected screens. 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. Historically, the first and fourth quarters (October through March) represent our greatest membership growth across our Domestic and International streaming segments. OurIncreasingly, our membership growth may beis impacted by the release of certain high-profile original content, which may affect historical seasonal patterns. Internationally, we expect each market to demonstrate more predictable seasonal patterns as our service offering in each market becomes more established and we have a longer history to assess such patterns.
Our core strategy is to grow our streaming membership business globally within the parameters of our profit margin targets. We are continuously improving our members' experience by expanding our streaming content with a focus on a programming mix of content that delights our members. In addition, we are perpetuallycontinuously enhancing our user interface and extending our streaming service to more internet-connected screens. Our members can also download a selection of titles for offline viewing.


Results of Operations

The following represents our consolidated performance highlights:

As of/ Three Months Ended ChangeAs of/ Three Months Ended Change
September 30,
2017
 September 30,
2016
 Q3'17 vs. Q3'16March 31,
2018
 March 31,
2017
 Q1'18 vs. Q1'17
(in thousands, except revenue per membership and percentages)

(in thousands, except revenue per membership and percentages)

Global streaming memberships at end of period109,248
 86,743
 22,505
 26%124,995
 98,748
 26,247
 27%
Global streaming average monthly revenue per paying membership$9.44
 $8.82
 $0.62
 7%$10.46
 $9.14
 $1.32
 14%
Revenues2,984,859
 2,290,188
 694,671
 30%3,700,856
 2,636,635
 1,064,221
 40%
Global operating income208,627
 106,036
 102,591
 97%446,578
 256,942
 189,636
 74%
Global operating margin7.0% 4.6% 2.4% 52%12.1% 9.7% 2.4% 25%
Net income129,590
 51,517
 78,073
 152%290,124
 178,222
 111,902
 63%

Consolidated revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2018 increased $694.7 million40%, including an increase of 24% and 70% in revenues in the Domestic streaming and International streaming segments, respectively as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016 dueMarch 31, 2017. International revenues accounted for 48% of consolidated revenue for the period ended March 31, 2018 as compared to 40% of consolidated revenue for the period ended March 31, 2017. The increase in consolidated revenues was primarily driven by the growth in the average number of paid streaming memberships globally, the majority of which was growth in our international memberships. Average paid international streaming memberships accounted for 53% of total average paid streaming memberships as of March 31, 2018, as compared to 47% of total average paid streaming memberships for the same period in 2017. In addition, the average monthly revenue per paying streaming membership increased primarily due to price changes and plan mix.
The increase in operating income for the three months ended September 30, 2017 as compared to the same period in 2016 wasis due primarily to increased revenues partially offset by increased content expenses as we continue to acquire, license and produce content, including more Netflix originals, as well as increased headcount costs to support continued improvements in our streaming service, our international expansion, and increasedour growing content production activities. The increase in net income was comprised of an increase in operating income, and an increase in the tax benefit primarily due to the adoption of ASU 2016-09 in the first quarter of 2017, partially offset by an increase in interest expense primarily due to the higher principal of senior notes outstanding and an increase in foreign exchange losses primarily due to the remeasurement of our euro denominated senior notes.
We offer three types of streaming membership plans. In the U.S. our "basic"Our “basic” plan is priced at $7.99 per month and includes access to standard definition quality streaming on a single screen at a time. Our "standard"“standard” plan is our most popular streaming plan and is priced at $10.99 per month and includes access to high definition quality streaming on two screens concurrently. Our "premium"“premium” plan is priced at $13.99 per month and includes access to high definition and ultra-high definition quality content on four screens concurrently. Internationally, the membershipAs of March 31, 2018, pricing on our plans are structured similarly toranged in the U.S. from $7.99 to $13.99 per month and range in priceinternationally from the U.S. dollar equivalent of approximately $5.00$4 to $21 per month to $21.00 per month.
We expect that from time to time the prices of our membership plans in each country may change. For instance, in May 2014, in the U.S., we increased the price of our standard plan from $7.99 per month to $8.99 per month with existing memberships grandfathered for a two year period. In October 2015, in the U.S., we increased the price of this same standard plan from $8.99 per month to $9.99 per month with existing memberships grandfathered for a one year period. In 2016, we phased out grandfathered pricing, giving members the option of electing the basic streaming plan at $7.99 per month, continuing on the standard streaming plan at the higher price of $9.99 per month, or electing the premium plan at $11.99 per month. In October 2017, in the U.S., we increased the price of our standard streaming plan from $9.99 to $10.99 per month and our premium plan from $11.99 to $13.99 per month.increase.
The following represents the key elements to our segment results of operations:
We define contribution profit (loss) as revenues less cost of revenues and marketing expenses incurred by the segment. We believe this is an important measure of our operating segment performance as itIt represents each segment's performance before global corporate costs. As markets within our International streaming segment become profitable, we increasingly focus on our global operating margin as a measure of profitability.
For the Domestic and International streaming segments, content expenses, which include the amortization of the streaming content assets and other expenses associated with the licensing and acquisition of streaming content, representmakes up the vast majority of cost of revenues. Streaming content rights were generally obtained for our current geographic regions. AsIncreasingly, we expanded internationally, we obtained additional rights for new geographies. With our global expansion, we now aspire to obtain multi-territory or global rights for our content. Westreaming content and allocate this contentthese rights between the Domestic and International streaming segments based on estimated fair market value. Other costExpenses associated with the acquisition, licensing and production of revenues such asstreaming content, streaming delivery expenses, customer servicecosts and payment processing fees, including those we pay to our integrated payment partners, tend to be lower as a percentageother operations costs make up the remainder of total cost of revenues. We have built our own global content delivery network ("(“Open Connect"Connect”) to help us efficiently stream a high volume of content to our members over the internet. Streaming delivery expenses, therefore, include equipment costs related to Open Connect and all third-party costs, such as cloud computing costs, associated with delivering streaming content over the internet. Cost of revenues in the Domestic DVD segment consist primarily of delivery expenses, content expenses, including amortization of DVD content assets and revenue sharing expenses, and other expenses associated with our DVD processing andOther operations costs include customer service centers. Delivery expenses for the Domestic DVD segment consist of the postageand payment processing fees, including those we pay to our integrated payment partners, as well as other costs incurred in making our content available to mail DVDs to and from our members and the packaging and label costs for the mailers.members.
For the Domestic and International streaming segments, marketing expenses consist primarily of advertising expenses and certain payments made to our marketing partners, including CEconsumer electronics manufacturers, MVPDs,MVPD's, mobile operators and ISPs.ISP's. Advertising expenses include promotional activities such as digital and television advertising. Marketing expenses are incurred by our Domestic and

International streaming segments given our focus on building consumer awareness of the streaming offerings, and in particular our original content. Marketing expenses incurred by our International streaming segment have been significant and fluctuate dependent upon the number of international territories in which our streaming service is offered, the timing of the launch of new territories and the timing of content releases.
We have demonstrated our ability to grow domestic streaming contribution margin as evidenced by the increase in contribution margin from 17% in 2012 to 36% in the third quarter of 2017. 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.



Domestic Streaming Segment
Three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2018 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016March 31, 2017
 As of/ Three Months Ended Change As of/ Three Months Ended Change
 September 30,
2017
 September 30,
2016
 Q3'17 vs. Q3'16 March 31,
2018
 March 31,
2017
 Q1'18 vs. Q1'17
 (in thousands, except revenue per membership and percentages) (in thousands, except revenue per membership and percentages)
Memberships:                
Net additions 851
 368
 483
 131% 1,955
 1,423
 532
 37%
Memberships at end of period 52,772
 47,497
 5,275
 11% 56,705
 50,854
 5,851
 12%
Paid memberships at end of period 51,345
 46,479
 4,866
 10% 55,087
 49,375
 5,712
 12%
Average monthly revenue per paying membership $10.15
 $9.40
 $0.75
 8% $11.25
 $10.07
 $1.18
 12%
                
Contribution profit:                
Revenues $1,547,210
 $1,304,333
 $242,877
 19% $1,820,019
 $1,470,042
 $349,977
 24%
Cost of revenues 864,408
 720,658
 143,750
 20% 894,873
 749,488
 145,385
 19%
Marketing 128,901
 108,495
 20,406
 19% 228,022
 115,038
 112,984
 98%
Contribution profit 553,901
 475,180
 78,721
 17% 697,124
 605,516
 91,608
 15%
Contribution margin 36% 36%     38% 41%    

In the Domestic streaming segment, we derive revenues from monthly membership fees for services consisting solely of streaming content to our members in the United States. The increase in our domestic streaming revenues was primarily due to the 10%11% growth in the average number of paid memberships, as well as an 8%a 12% increase in the average monthly revenue per paying membership, resulting from our price changes and plan mix. In the second half of 2016, we phased out grandfathered pricing and cancellations by members whose grandfathered pricing expired were not material. Our standard plan continues to be the most popular plan choice for new memberships.
The increase in domestic streaming cost of revenues was primarily due to a $136.5$121.5 million increase in content expensesamortization relating to our existing and new streaming content, including more exclusive and original programming.
Domestic marketing expenses increased primarily due to increased advertising and public relations.
Our Domestic streaming segment In addition, we had a contribution margin of 36% for the three months ended September 30, 2017, which is flat compared to the contribution margin of 36% for the three months ended September 30, 2016.

Nine months ended September 30, 2017 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016

  As of/ Nine Months Ended Change
  September 30,
2017
 September 30,
2016
 YTD'17 vs. YTD'16
  (in thousands, except revenue per membership and percentages)
Memberships:        
Net additions 3,341
 2,759
 582
 21%
Memberships at end of period 52,772
 47,497
 5,275
 11%
Paid memberships at end of period 51,345
 46,479
 4,866
 10%
Average monthly revenue per paying membership $10.10
 $8.96
 $1.14
 13%
         
Contribution profit:        
Revenues $4,522,751
 $3,673,845
 $848,906
 23%
Cost of revenues 2,445,858
 2,094,310
 351,548
 17%
Marketing 357,547
 277,243
 80,304
 29%
Contribution profit 1,719,346
 1,302,292
 417,054
 32%
Contribution margin 38% 35%    
The increase in our domestic streaming revenues was primarily due to the 9% growth in the average number of paid memberships, as well as a 13% increase in average monthly revenue per paying membership, resulting from our price changes and plan mix.
The increase in domestic streaming cost of revenues was primarily due to a $331.5$23.9 million increase in content expenses relatingother costs, such as payment processing fees and customer service call centers, due to our existing and new streaming content, including more exclusive and original programming.growing member base.
Domestic marketing expenses increased primarily due to increased advertising and public relations.
Our Domestic streaming segment had a contribution margin of 38% for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017, which increasedMarch 31, 2018 and decreased as compared to the contribution margin of 35%41% for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2016 due toMarch 31, 2017 as the growth in paid memberships andmarketing spend outpaced revenue which continued to outpace content spending.growth.

International Streaming Segment
Three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2018 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016March 31, 2017
 As of/ Three Months Ended Change As of/ Three Months Ended Change
 September 30,
2017
 September 30,
2016
 Q3'17 vs. Q3'16 March 31,
2018
 March 31,
2017
 Q1'18 vs. Q1'17
 (in thousands, except revenue per membership and percentages) (in thousands, except revenue per membership and percentages)
Memberships:                
Net additions 4,445
 3,198
 1,247
 39% 5,458
 3,529
 1,929
 55%
Memberships at end of period 56,476
 39,246
 17,230
 44% 68,290
 47,894
 20,396
 43%
Paid memberships at end of period 52,678
 36,799
 15,879
 43% 63,815
 44,988
 18,827
 42%
Average monthly revenue per paying membership $8.73
 $8.05
 $0.68
 8% $9.77
 $8.09
 $1.68
 21%
                
Contribution profit (loss):        
Contribution profit:        
Revenues $1,327,435
 $853,480
 $473,955
 56% $1,782,086
 $1,046,199
 $735,887
 70%
Cost of revenues 1,081,485
 748,515
 332,970
 44% 1,258,809
 847,317
 411,492
 49%
Marketing 183,589
 173,548
 10,041
 6% 251,200
 156,232
 94,968
 61%
Contribution profit (loss) 62,361
 (68,583) 130,944
 191%
Contribution profit 272,077
 42,650
 229,427
 538%
Contribution margin 5% (8)%   

 15% 4%   



In the International streaming segment, we derive revenues from monthly membership fees for services consisting solely of streaming content to our members outside the United States. We launched our streaming service in Canada in September 2010 and have expanded our services internationally as shown below.


internationaltimelinea02.jpg
The increase in our international revenues was due to the 43%41% growth in the average number of paid international memberships, in addition to an 8%a 21% increase in the average monthly revenue per paying membership. The increase in the average monthly revenue per paying membership was due to price changes and plan mix coupled with favorable fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. We estimate that international revenues in the thirdfirst quarter of 20172018 would have been approximately $13.3$114.2 million lower if foreign exchange rates had remained consistent with the foreign exchange rates from the thirdfirst quarter of 2016.2017. If foreign currency exchange rates fluctuate more than expected, revenues and average revenue per paying membership may differ from our expectations. Average paid international streaming memberships accounted for 50% of global average paid streaming memberships for the three months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to 43% of global average paid streaming memberships for the same period in 2016.
The increase in international cost of revenues was primarily due to a $298.3$321.6 million increase in content expensesamortization relating to our existing and new streaming content, including more exclusive and original programming. Other costs increased $34.7$89.9 million primarily due to increases in our streaming delivery expenses, costs associated with our customer service call centers and payment processing fees, all driven by our growing member base.
International marketing expenses increased mainly due to increased advertising and public relations as well as increased payments to our partners.
International contribution profit for the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2018 was $62.4$272.1 million as compared to a contribution lossprofit of $68.6$42.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016March 31, 2017 as profit growth in our more mature markets offset investments in newer markets.

Nine months ended September 30, 2017 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016
  As of/ Nine Months Ended Change
  September 30,
2017
 September 30,
2016
 YTD'17 vs. YTD'16
  (in thousands, except revenue per membership and percentages)
Memberships:        
Net additions 12,111
 9,222
 2,889
 31%
Memberships at end of period 56,476
 39,246
 17,230
 44%
Paid memberships at end of period 52,678
 36,799
 15,879
 43%
Average monthly revenue per paying membership $8.39
 $7.70
 $0.69
 9%
         
Contribution profit (loss):        
Revenues $3,538,862
 $2,263,429
 $1,275,433
 56%
Cost of revenues 2,946,414
 2,076,576
 869,838
 42%
Marketing 500,536
 428,839
 71,697
 17%
Contribution profit (loss) 91,912
 (241,986) 333,898
 138%
Contribution margin 3% (11)%    
The increase in our international revenues was due to the 44% growth in our average number of paid international memberships, in addition to a 9% increase in the average monthly revenue per paying membership. The increase in the average monthly revenue per paying membership was due to price changes and plan mix, partially offset by unfavorable fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. We estimate that international revenues in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 would have been approximately $21.0 million higher if foreign exchange rates had remained consistent with the foreign exchange rates for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.
The increase in international cost of revenues was primarily due to a $769.7 million increase in content expenses relating to our existing and new streaming content, including more exclusive and original programming. Other costs increased $100.2 million primarily due to

increases in our streaming delivery expenses, costs associated with our customer service call centers and payment processing fees, all driven by our growing member base, partially offset by decreases resulting from exchange rate fluctuations.
International marketing expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 increased mainly due to increased advertising and public relations, as well as increased payments to our partners.
International contribution profit grew to $91.9 million as opposed to a $242.0 million loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016 as profit growth in our more mature markets offset investments in newer markets.


Domestic DVD Segment
Three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2018 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016March 31, 2017
 As of/ Three Months Ended Change As of/ Three Months Ended Change
 September 30,
2017
 September 30,
2016
 Q3'17 vs. Q3'16 March 31,
2018
 March 31,
2017
 Q1'18 vs. Q1'17
 (in thousands, except revenue per membership and percentages) (in thousands, except revenue per membership and percentages)
Memberships:                
Net losses (189) (257) 68
 26 % (216) (170) (46) (27)%
Memberships at end of period 3,569
 4,273
 (704) (16)% 3,167
 3,944
 (777) (20)%
Paid memberships at end of period 3,520
 4,194
 (674) (16)% 3,138
 3,867
 (729) (19)%
Average monthly revenue per paying membership $10.19
 $10.23
 $(0.04)  % $10.18
 $10.16
 $0.02
  %
                
Contribution profit:                
Revenues $110,214
 $132,375
 $(22,161) (17)% $98,751
 $120,394
 $(21,643) (18)%
Cost of revenues 47,087
 63,671
 (16,584) (26)% 42,393
 60,219
 (17,826) (30)%
Contribution profit 63,127
 68,704
 (5,577) (8)% 56,358
 60,175
 (3,817) (6)%
Contribution margin 57% 52%     57% 50%    

In the Domestic DVD segment, we derive revenues from our DVD-by-mail membership services. The price per plan for DVD-by-mail varies from $4.99 to $14.99 per month according to the plan chosen by the member. DVD-by-mail plans differ by the number of DVDs that a member may have out at any given point. Members electing access to high definition Blu-ray discs, in addition to standard definition DVDs, pay a surcharge ranging from $2 to $3 per month for our most popular plans. Cost of revenues in the Domestic DVD segment consist primarily of delivery expenses such as packaging and postage costs, content expenses, and other expenses associated with our DVD processing and customer service centers. The number of memberships to our DVD-by-mail offering is declining, and we anticipate that this decline will continue.
Our Domestic DVD segment contribution margin was 57% for the three months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, as compared to 52%50% for the three months ended September 30, 2016, due to the decreased DVD usage by paying members and decreased DVD content expenses.

Nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2017, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016
  As of/ Nine Months Ended Change
  September 30,
2017
 September 30,
2016
 YTD'17 vs. YTD'16
  (in thousands, except revenue per membership and percentages)
Memberships:        
Net losses (545) (631) 86
 14 %
Memberships at end of period 3,569
 4,273
 (704) (16)%
Paid memberships at end of period 3,520
 4,194
 (674) (16)%
Average monthly revenue per paying membership $10.16
 $10.21
 $(0.05)  %
         
Contribution profit:        
Revenues $345,345
 $415,854
 $(70,509) (17)%
Cost of revenues 160,040
 204,596
 (44,556) (22)%
Contribution profit 185,305
 211,258
 (25,953) (12)%
Contribution margin 54% 51%    
Our Domestic DVD segment contribution margin was 54% for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to 51% for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, due to the decreased DVD usage by paying members and decreased DVD content expenses.


Consolidated Operating Expenses
Technology and Development
Technology and development expenses consist of payroll and related expenses for all technology personnel, as well as other costs incurred in making improvements to our service offerings, including testing, maintaining and modifying our user interface, our recommendation, merchandising and streaming delivery technology and infrastructure. Technology and development expenses also include costs associated with computer hardware and software.
Three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2018 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016March 31, 2017
 
Three Months Ended ChangeThree Months Ended Change
September 30,
2017
 September 30,
2016
 Q3'17 vs. Q3'16March 31,
2018
 March 31,
2017
 Q1'18 vs. Q1'17
(in thousands, except percentages)(in thousands, except percentages)
Technology and development$255,236
 $216,099
 $39,137
 18%$300,730
 $257,108
 $43,622
 17%
As a percentage of revenues9% 9%    8% 10%    

The increase in technology and development expenses was primarily due to a $22.9$37.8 million increase in personnel-related costs, including stock-based compensation expense, resulting from an increase in compensation for existing employees and a 2% growth in average headcount supporting continued improvements in our streaming service and our international expansion. In addition, third party expenses, including costs associated with cloud computing, increased $8.7$3.8 million.

Nine months ended September 30, 2017 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016
 Nine Months Ended Change
 September 30,
2017
 September 30,
2016
 YTD'17 vs. YTD'16
 (in thousands, except percentages)
Technology and development$779,427
 $626,907
 $152,520
 24%
As a percentage of revenues9% 10%    

The increase in technology and development expenses was primarily due to a $101.2 million increase in personnel-related costs, including stock-based compensation expense, resulting from an increase in compensation for existing employees and a 3% growth in average headcount supporting continued improvements in our streaming service and our international expansion. In addition, third party expenses, including costs associated with cloud computing, increased $30.6 million.


General and Administrative
General and administrative expenses consist of payroll and related expenses for corporate personnel, as well as for personnel that support global functions related to content, marketing, public relations and operations other than customer service. General and administrative expenses also includes professional fees and other general corporate expenses.
Three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2018 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016March 31, 2017

Three Months Ended ChangeThree Months Ended Change
September 30,
2017
 September 30,
2016
 Q3'17 vs. Q3'16March 31,
2018
 March 31,
2017
 Q1'18 vs. Q1'17
(in thousands, except percentages)(in thousands, except percentages)
General and administrative$215,526
 $153,166
 $62,360
 41%$278,251
 $194,291
 $83,960
 43%
As a percentage of revenues7% 7%    8% 7%    

General and administrative expenses increased primarily due to a $37.6$68.1 million increase in personnel-related costs, including stock-based compensation expense, resulting from a 50%an increase in average headcount primarily to support our international and original content expansion, and an increase in compensation for existing employees. In addition, facilities-related costs increased $8.2$5.4 million, primarily driven by costs for our expanded Los Gatos, California headquarters and new Los Angeles, California facility, both of which were placed into operation in the first quarter of 2017. In addition, thirdfacility. Third party expenses, including costs for contractors and consultants, also increased $14.1$5.7 million.


Nine months ended September 30, 2017 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016

 Nine Months Ended Change
 September 30,
2017
 September 30,
2016
 YTD'17 vs. YTD'16
 (in thousands, except percentages)
General and administrative$623,760
 $418,798
 $204,962
 49%
As a percentage of revenues7% 7%    

General and administrative expenses increased primarily due to a $135.0 million increase in personnel-related costs, including stock-based compensation expense, resulting from a 54% increase in average headcount primarily to support our international and original content expansion, and an increase in compensation for existing employees. In addition, facilities-related costs increased $36.2 million, primarily driven by costs for our expanded Los Gatos, California headquarters and new Los Angeles, California facility, both of which were placed into operation in the first quarter of 2017. In addition, third party expenses increased $31.0 million.


Interest Expense
Interest expense consists primarily of the interest associated with our outstanding long-term debt obligations, including the amortization of debt issuance costs, as well as interest on our lease financing obligations.
Three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2018 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016March 31, 2017
  Three Months Ended Change
  September 30,
2017
 September 30,
2016
 Q3'17 vs. Q3'16
  (in thousands, except percentages)
Interest expense $(60,688) $(35,536) $(25,152) (71)%
As a percentage of revenues (2)% (2)%    

Nine months ended September 30, 2017 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016
 Nine Months Ended Change Three Months Ended Change
 September 30,
2017
 September 30,
2016
 YTD'17 vs. YTD'16 March 31,
2018
 March 31,
2017
 Q1'18 vs. Q1'17
 (in thousands, except percentages) (in thousands, except percentages)
Interest expense $(162,912) $(106,528) $(56,384) (53)% $(81,219) $(46,742) $34,477
 74%
As a percentage of revenues (2)% (2)%     (2)% (2)%    
Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018 consists primarily consistedof $78.6 million of interest on our Notes of $58.4 million and $156.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017.notes. The increase in interest expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2018 as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 was primarilyMarch 31, 2017 is due to the higher average aggregate principal of interest bearing notes outstanding.increase in long-term debt.
Interest and Other Income (Expense)
Interest and other income (expense) consists primarily of foreign exchange gains and losses on foreign currency denominated balances and interest earned on cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments.
Three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2018 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016March 31, 2017
 
  Three Months Ended Change
  September 30,
2017
 September 30,
2016
 Q3'17 vs. Q3'16
  (in thousands, except percentages)
Interest and other income (expense) $(31,702) $8,627
 $(40,329) (467)%
As a percentage of revenues (1)% %    

Nine months ended September 30, 2017 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016
 Nine Months Ended Change Three Months Ended Change
 September 30,
2017
 September 30,
2016
 YTD'17 vs. YTD'16 March 31,
2018
 March 31,
2017
 Q1'18 vs. Q1'17
 (in thousands, except percentages) (in thousands, except percentages)
Interest and other income (expense) $(76,473) $50,907
 $(127,380) (250)% $(65,743) $13,592
 $(79,335) (584)%
As a percentage of revenues (1)% 1%     (2)% 0.5%    

Interest and other income (expense) decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,primarily due to foreign exchange losses of $35.3 million and $84.7 million, respectively, compared to gains of $6.4 million and $44.6 million, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2016.losses. In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, the foreign exchange losses wereloss was $71.6 million as compared to an $11.3 million foreign exchange gain for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The increase in the foreign exchange loss was primarily driven by the $50.8$41.1 million and $115.1 million, respectively, loss from the remeasurement of our €1,300.0 million Senior Notes partially offset byand the remeasurement of cash and content liability positions in currencies other than the functional currencies of our European and U.S. entities.

Provision for Income Taxes

The effective tax rates for the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2018 and 2017 were 3% and 2016 were (11)% and 35%20%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2018 differed from the Federal statutory rate primarily due to the recognition of excess tax benefits of stock-based compensation and Federal and California research and development credits (“R&D”), partially offset by state taxes, foreign taxes, non-deductible expenses, and the international provisions from the U.S. tax reform enacted in December 2017. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2017 differed from the Federal statutory rate primarily due to the recognition of excess tax benefits as a component of the provision for income taxes attributable to the adoption of ASU 2016-09 and Federal and California research and development ("R&D") credits partially offset by state taxes, foreign taxes, and non-deductible expenses. The effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2016, differed from the Federal statutory rate primarily due to the Federal and California R&D credits partially offset by state taxes, foreign taxes and non-deductible expenses. The decrease in our effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, as compared to the same period in 20162017 was due primarily to the recognitionreduction of the excesscorporate tax benefits attributablerate from 35% to 21% as a result of the U.S. tax reform enacted in December 2017.
In December 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Act”) was signed into law making significant changes to the adoptionInternal Revenue Code. Changes include, but are not limited to, a corporate tax rate decrease from 35% to 21% effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, the transition of ASU 2016-09U.S international taxation from a worldwide tax system to a territorial system, and an increasea one-time transition tax on the mandatory deemed repatriation of cumulative foreign earnings as of December 31, 2017.
On December 22, 2017, Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 ("SAB 118") was issued to address the application of U.S. GAAP in foreignsituations when a registrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed (including computations) in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for certain income taxed at rates lower thantax effects of the U.S. statutory rate.
The effective tax ratesAct. For the quarter ended March 31, 2018, we obtained additional information affecting the provisional amount initially recorded for the nine monthstransition tax in the quarter ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 were (5)% and 30%, respectively. The effective tax rates for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, differed from the Federal statutory rate primarily dueDecember 31, 2017. As a result, we have recorded an immaterial adjustment to the recognitiontransition tax. Additional work is still necessary for a more detailed analysis of excessour deferred tax benefits attributableassets and

liabilities and our historical foreign earnings as well as potential correlative adjustments. Any subsequent adjustment to these amounts will be recorded to current tax expense in the adoptionquarter of ASU 2016-09 and Federal and California R&D credits, partially offset by state taxes, foreign taxes and non-deductible expenses. The effective tax rate for2018 when the nine months ended September 30, 2016, differed from the Federal statutory rate primarily due to the Federal and California research and development credits partially offset by state taxes, foreign taxes and non-deductible expenses. The decrease in our effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 as compared to the same period in 2016 was attributable primarily due to the recognition of the excess tax benefits attributable to the adoption of ASU 2016-09 and an increase in foreign income taxed at rates lower than the U.S. statutory rate.analysis is complete.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
 As of
 March 31,
2018
 December 31,
2017
 (in thousands)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash$2,599,477
 2,822,795
Long-term debt6,542,373
 6,499,432

Cash, and cash equivalents was $1,746.5 million as of September 30, 2017, which increased $12.7 million as compared to cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $1,733.8restricted cash decreased $223.3 million as of December 31, 2016. The increase in the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017 wasMarch 31, 2018 primarily due to cash used in operations.
Long-term debt, net of debt issuance costs, increased $42.9 million primarily due to the proceeds from the issuanceremeasurement of our euro denominated notes. The earliest maturity date for our outstanding long-term debt partially offset by cash used in operations.
Our primary uses of cash include the acquisition, licensing and production of content, streaming delivery, marketing programs and personnel-related costs. Investments in original content, and in particular content that we produce and own, require more cash upfront relative to licensed content. We expect to significantly increase our investments in global streaming content, particularly in original content, which will impact our liquidity and result in future negative free cash flows for many years. We currently anticipate that cash flows from operations, available funds and access to financing sources, including our revolving credit facility, will continue to be sufficient to meet our cash needs for at least the next twelve months.
In July 2017, we entered into a $500.0 million unsecured revolving credit facility (“Revolving Credit Agreement”), with an uncommitted incremental facility to increase the amount of the revolving credit facility by up to an additional $250.0 million subject to certain terms and conditions.is February 2021.  As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, no amounts had been borrowed under the $500.0 million Revolving Credit Agreement. See Note 5 Long-term Debt in the accompanying notes to theour consolidated financial statements for additional information.
In May 2017, we issued €1,300.0 million of long-term debt. Long-term debt, net of debt issuance costs, was $4,888.8 million and $3,364.3 million as of September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, respectively. See Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.statements. We anticipate financing our capital needs in the debt market, as our after-tax cost of debt is lower than our cost of equity. Our ability to obtain this or any additional financing that we may choose to, or need to, obtain will depend on, among other things, our development efforts, business plans, operating performance 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 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.
AsOur primary uses of September 30, 2017, cash include the acquisition, licensing and production of content, streaming delivery, marketing programs and personnel-related costs. Cash payment terms for non-original content have historically been in line with the amortization period. Investments in original content, and in particular content that we produce and own, require more cash equivalents held by our foreign subsidiaries amountedupfront relative to $443.7 million. If these fundslicensed content. For example, production costs are needed for our operationspaid as the content is created, well in advance of when the U.S., we would be required to accrue and pay U.S. income taxes and foreign withholding taxescontent is available on the portion associated with undistributed earningsservice and amortized. We expect to significantly increase our investments in global streaming content, particularly in original content, which will impact our liquidity and result in future negative free cash flows for certain foreign subsidiaries.many years. We currently anticipate that cash flows from operations, available funds and access to financing sources, including our revolving credit facility, will continue to be sufficient to meet our cash needs for at least the next twelve months.
Free Cash Flow
We define free cash flow as cash provided by (used in) 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 and for certain other activities or the amount of cash used in operations, including investments in global streaming content. 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 (used in) provided byused in operating activities, or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP.
In assessing liquidity in relation to our results of operations, we compare free cash flow to net income, noting that the three major recurring differences are excess content payments over expense,amortization, non-cash stock-based compensation expense and other working capital differences. The excess content payments over expense is variable based on the payment terms of our content agreements and is expected to increase as we enter into more agreements with upfront cash payments, such as licensing and production of original content. Working capital differences include deferred revenue, taxes and semi-annual interest payments on our outstanding debt. Our receivables from members generally settle quickly and deferred revenue is a source of cash flow.

Three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2018 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016March 31, 2017
 
Three Months EndedThree Months Ended
September 30,
2017
 September 30,
2016
March 31,
2018
 March 31,
2017
(in thousands)(in thousands)
Net cash used in operating activities$(419,607) $(461,941)$(236,757) $(343,856)
Net cash provided by investing activities202,192
 23,976
Net cash used in investing activities(49,752) (75,590)
Net cash provided by financing activities34,422
 16,639
56,014
 24,239
      
Non-GAAP free cash flow reconciliation:      
Net cash used in operating activities(419,607) (461,941)(236,757) (343,856)
Acquisition of DVD content assets(10,217) (17,249)(10,796) (25,372)
Purchases of property and equipment(33,963) (27,366)(37,170) (52,523)
Change in other assets(1,107) 125
(1,786) (769)
Non-GAAP free cash flow$(464,894) $(506,431)$(286,509) $(422,520)

CashNet cash used in operating activities decreased $42.3$107.1 million to $419.6$236.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, compared to the same period of 2016.March 31, 2018. The decreased use of cash was due primarily todriven by a $694.7$1,064.2 million or 30%40% increase in revenues partially offset by the increase in investments in streaming content that requiresrequire more upfront payments. The payments for streaming content assets increased $437.4$625.5 million, from $1,982.4 million to $2,607.9 million, or 23%32% as compared to the increase in the amortization of streaming content assets of $443.1 million, from $1,305.7 million to $1,748.8 million, or 34%. In addition, we had increased payments associated with higher operating expenses.expenses, primarily related to increased headcount to support our continued improvements in our streaming service, our international expansion and increased content production activities.
Cash provided byNet cash used in investing activities increased $178.2decreased $25.8 million, primarily due to a $179.0$15.4 million increasedecrease in purchases of property and equipment for our Los Gatos and Los Angeles headquarter offices and a $14.6 million decrease in the proceeds from the saleacquisition of short-term investments. In July 2017, the Company sold all short-term investments.DVD content assets.
CashNet cash provided by financing activities increased $17.8$31.8 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, due to an increase in cash received from the issuance of common stock, partially offset by a decrease in excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation due to the adoption of ASU 2016-09 in the first quarter of 2017.stock.
FreeNon-GAAP free cash flow was $594.5$576.6 million lower than net income for the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2018 primarily due to $722.1$859.0 million of cash payments for streaming content assets over streaming amortization expense partially offset by $44.8$68.4 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expense and $82.8$214.0 million of favorable other working capital differences.
FreeNon-GAAP free cash flow was $557.9$600.7 million lower than net income for the three months ended September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, primarily due to $688.1$676.7 million of cash payments for streaming content assets over streaming amortization expense partially offset by $43.5$44.9 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expense and $86.7$31.1 million favorable other working capital differences.

Nine months ended September 30, 2017 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016
 Nine Months Ended
 September 30,
2017
 September 30,
2016
 (in thousands)
Net cash used in operating activities$(1,297,991) $(916,824)
Net cash provided by investing activities70,170
 25,343
Net cash provided by financing activities1,479,047
 49,158
    
Non-GAAP free cash flow reconciliation:   
Net cash used in operating activities(1,297,991) (916,824)
Acquisition of DVD content assets(43,213) (58,380)
Purchases of property and equipment(151,717) (46,605)
Change in other assets(2,940) 676
Non-GAAP free cash flow$(1,495,861) $(1,021,133)

Cash used in operating activities increased $381.2 million to $1,298.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared to the same period of 2016. The significant net cash used in operations is due primarily to the increase in investments in streaming content that requires more upfront payments. The payments for streaming content assets increased $1,605.2 million or 33%. In addition, we had increased payments associated with higher operating expenses. The increased use of cash was partially offset by a $2,053.8 million or 32% increase in revenues.
Cash provided by investing activities increased $44.8 million, primarily due to an increase in the proceeds from the sale and maturities of short-term investments of $138.4 million, net of purchases, coupled with an increase in the purchases of property and equipment of $105.1 million, primarily related to the expansion of our Los Gatos, California headquarters and our new Los Angeles, California facility.
Cash provided by financing activities increased $1,429.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2017, due to the proceeds from the issuance of debt of $1,405.2 million, net of $15.3 million of issuance costs.
Free cash flow was $1,869.3 million lower than net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 primarily due to $1,997.6 million of cash payments for streaming content assets over streaming amortization expense coupled with $5.4 million non-favorable other working capital differences, partially offset by $133.7 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expenses.
Free cash flow was $1,141.1 million lower than net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, primarily due to $1,418.3 million of cash payments for streaming content assets over streaming amortization expense partially offset by $130.0 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expense and $147.2 million favorable other working capital differences.

Contractual Obligations

For the purpose 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 the payment of the obligations discussed below is estimated based on information available to us as of September 30, 2017.March 31, 2018. 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 as of September 30, 2017:March 31, 2018:

Payments due by PeriodPayments due by Period
Contractual obligations (in thousands):Total Less than
1 year
 1-3 years 3-5 years More than
5 years
Total Less than
1 year
 1-3 years 3-5 years More than
5 years
Streaming content obligations (1)$16,991,930
 $6,984,360
 $7,918,009
 $1,918,123
 $171,438
$17,937,682
 $7,949,544
 $8,015,837
 $1,849,029
 $123,272
Debt (2)6,708,200
 237,108
 469,578
 1,622,849
 4,378,665
9,079,118
 312,828
 1,130,423
 1,251,006
 6,384,861
Lease obligations (3)727,508
 96,224
 184,905
 157,762
 288,617
790,453
 109,732
 201,831
 175,073
 303,817
Other purchase obligations (4)642,821
 368,214
 198,418
 46,560
 29,629
621,881
 303,561
 241,441
 57,100
 19,779
Total$25,070,459

$7,685,906
 $8,770,910
 $3,745,294
 $4,868,349
$28,429,134

$8,675,665
 $9,589,532
 $3,332,208
 $6,831,729

(1)As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, streaming content obligations were comprised of $4.1$4.5 billion included in "Current content liabilities" and $3.3$3.4 billion of "Non-current content liabilities" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and $9.6$10.0 billion of obligations that are not reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as they did not then meet the criteria for recognition.
Streaming content obligations increased $2.5$0.2 billion from $14.5$17.7 billion as of December 31, 20162017 to $17.0$17.9 billion as of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, primarily due to multi-year commitments associated with the continued expansion of our exclusive and original programming.
Streaming content obligations include amounts related to the acquisition, licensing and production of streaming content. An obligation for the production of content includes non-cancelable commitments under creative talent and employment agreements.agreements and other production related commitments. An obligation for the acquisition and licensing of content is incurred at the time we enter into an agreement to obtain future titles. Once a title becomes available, a content liability is recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Certain agreements include the obligation to license rights for unknown future titles, the ultimate quantity and/or fees for which are not yet determinable as of the reporting date. Traditional film output deals, or certain TV series license agreements where the number of seasons to be aired is unknown, are examples of these types of agreements. The contractual obligations table above does not include any estimated obligation for the unknown future titles, payment for which could range from less than one year to more than five years. However, these unknown obligations are expected to be significant and we believe could include approximately $3 billion to $5 billion over the next three years, with the payments for the vast majority of such amounts expected to occur after the next twelve months. The foregoing range is based on considerable management judgments and the actual amounts may differ. Once we know the title that we will receive and the license fees, we include the amount in the contractual obligations table above.

(2)Long-term debt obligations include our Notes consisting of principal and interest payments. See Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements for further details.

(3)Lease obligations include lease financing obligations of $16.4$14.6 million related to a portion of our current Los Gatos, California headquarters for which we are the deemed owner for accounting purposes, commitments of $519.3$503.3 million for our expanded headquarters in Los Gatos, California, and our new office space in Los Angeles, California and other commitments of $191.8$272.6 million for facilities under non-cancelable operating leases. These leases have expiration dates varying through approximately 2028.

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


As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, we had gross unrecognized tax benefits of $37.2$47.8 million which was classified in “Other non-current liabilities” and a reduction to deferred tax assets which was classified as "Other non-current assets" in the consolidated balance sheets.  At this time, an estimate of the range of reasonably possible adjustments to the balance of unrecognized tax benefits cannot be made.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have transactions with unconsolidated entities, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, whereby we have financial guarantees, subordinated retained interests, derivative instruments, or other contingent arrangements that expose us to material continuing risks, contingent liabilities, or any other obligation under a variable interest in an unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk, or credit risk support to us.

Indemnification
The information set forth under Note 6 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 of America 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 consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported periods. The Securities and Exchange Commission ("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.


Streaming Content
We acquire, license and produce content, including original programing, in order to offer our members unlimited viewing of TV shows and films. The content licenses are for a fixed fee and specific windows of availability. Payment terms for certain content licenses and the production of content require more upfront cash payments relative to the amortization expense. Payments for content, including additions to streaming assets and the changes in related liabilities, are classified within "Net cash used in operating activities" on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
For licenses, we capitalize the fee per title and record a corresponding liability at the gross amount of the liability when the license period begins, the cost of the title is known and the title is accepted and available for streaming. The portion available for streaming within one year is recognized as “Current content assets, net” and the remaining portion as “Non-current content assets, net” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
For productions, we capitalize costs associated with the production, including development cost, direct costs and production overhead. We include these amounts in "Non-current content assets, net" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Participations and residuals are expensed in line with the amortization of production costs.
Based on factors including historical and estimated viewing patterns, we amortize the content assets (licensed and produced) in “Cost of revenues” on the Consolidated Statements of Operations, over the shorter of each title's contractual window of availability or estimated period of use or ten years, beginning with the month of first availability. The amortization periodis on an accelerated basis as we typically ranges from six months to five years. For content where we expect more upfront viewing, for instance due to the additional merchandising and marketing efforts, we amortize on an accelerated basis.efforts. We review factors that impact the amortization of the content assets on a regular basis. Our estimates related to these factors require considerable management judgment.
Our business model is subscription based as opposed to a model generating revenues at a specific title level. Therefore, content assets, both licensed and produced, are reviewed in aggregate at the operating segment level when an event or change in circumstances indicates a change in the expected usefulness or that the fair value may be less than amortized cost.usefulness. To date, we have not identified any such event or changes in circumstances. If such changes are identified in the future, these aggregated content assets will be stated at the lower of unamortized cost, net realizable value or fair value. In addition, unamortized costs for assets that have been, or are expected to be, abandoned are written off. No material write-down from unamortized cost was recorded in any of the periods presented.

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 applicable to future years to differences between the consolidated 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. As of September 30, 2017, there was a valuation allowance of $33.1 million primarily related to foreign tax credit carryovers. There was no valuation allowance as of September 30, 2016.
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. In the eventHowever, we were to determinebelieve that we wouldit is more likely than not be able to realize all or partthat most of our net deferred tax assets in the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax assets wouldrecorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets will ultimately be chargedrealized. We record a valuation allowance to earnings inreduce our deferred tax assets to the period in whichnet amount that we make such determination.believe is more likely than not to be realized. As of March 31, 2018, the valuation allowance of $71.0 million was related to foreign tax credits that we are not expected to realize.
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 consolidated 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, 2017,March 31, 2018, our estimated gross unrecognized tax benefits were $37.2$47.8 million of which $33.3$44.5 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 9 to the consolidated financial statements for further information regarding income taxes.

Stock-Based Compensation
We grant fully vested non-qualified stock options to our employees on a monthly basis. As a result of immediate vesting, stock-based compensation expense is fully recognized on the grant date, and no estimate is required for post-vesting option forfeitures. 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.

We calculate the fair value of our stock option grants using a lattice-binomial model. This model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions. 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: The Company calculates expected volatility based solely on implied volatility. We believe that implied volatility of publicly traded options in our common stock is more reflective of market conditions and, given consistently high trade volumes of the options, can reasonably be expected to be a better indicator of expected volatility than historical volatility of our common stock. An increase/decrease of 10% in our computation of expected volatility would increase/decrease the total stock-based compensation expense by approximately $5.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017.
Suboptimal Exercise Factor: Our computation of the suboptimal exercise factor is based on historical and estimated option exercise behavior. An increase/decrease in the suboptimal exercise factor of 10% would increase/decrease the total stock-based compensation expense by approximately $1.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The information set forth under Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements under the caption “Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” is incorporated herein by reference.


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, 2016.2017. Our exposure to market risk has not changed significantly since December 31, 2016.2017.
Foreign Currency Risk
International revenues and cost of revenues account for 42%48% and 53%57%, respectively, of consolidated amounts for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017.March 31, 2018. The majority of international revenues and a smaller portion of expenses are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar and we therefore have foreign currency risk related to these currencies, which are primarily the euro, the British pound, the Canadian dollar, the Australian dollar, the Japanese yen and the Brazilian real.
Accordingly, changes in exchange rates, and in particular a weakening of foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar may negatively affect our revenue and contribution profit (loss) of our International streaming segment as expressed in U.S. dollars. In the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, we believe our international revenues would have been approximately $21.0$114.2 million higherlower had foreign currency exchange rates remained consistent with those in same period of 2016.2017.
We have also experienced and will continue to experience fluctuations in our net income as a result of gains (losses) on the settlement and the remeasurement of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies that are not the functional currency. In the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, we recognized an $84.7a $71.6 million foreign exchange loss which resulted primarily from the remeasurement of our €1,300.0 million Senior Notes and was partially offset by the remeasurement of cash and content liability positions in currencies other than the functional currencies of our European and U.S. entities.
In addition, the effect of exchange rate changes on cash, and cash equivalents and restricted cash in the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2018 was $27.7$7.2 million.
We do not use foreign exchange contracts or derivatives to hedge any foreign currency exposures. The volatility of exchange rates depends on many factors that we cannot forecast with reliable accuracy. Our continued international expansion increases our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations and as a result such fluctuations could have a significant impact on our future results of operations.

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

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 the Company 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, 2017,March 31, 2018, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.



PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.Legal Proceedings
The information set forth under Note 6 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, 2016.2017.

Item 6.Exhibits
(a) Exhibits:

See Exhibit Index immediately following the signature page of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 


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:OctoberApril 18, 20172018By:/s/ REED HASTINGS
   
Reed Hastings
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal executive officer)
    
Dated:OctoberApril 18, 20172018By:/s/ DAVID WELLS
   
David Wells
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal financial and accounting officer)


EXHIBIT INDEX
 
Exhibit Number Exhibit Description Incorporated by Reference Filed
Herewith
    Form File No. Exhibit Filing Date  
        
 

   001-35727 10.14 July 19, 2017  
             
 

         X
             
          X
        
          X
        
          X
        
101 
The following financial information from Netflix, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2017 filed with the SEC on October 18, 2017, formatted in XBRL includes: (i) Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (iii) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 and (v) the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
         X
Exhibit NumberExhibit DescriptionIncorporated by ReferenceFiled
Herewith
FormFile No.ExhibitFiling Date
X
X
X
101
The following financial information from Netflix, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 filed with the SEC on April 18, 2018, formatted in XBRL includes: (i) Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (iii) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 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.


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