UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Filed by the Registrant                              Filed by a Party other than the Registrant 

Check the appropriate box:

 Preliminary Proxy Statement
 Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
 Definitive Proxy Statement
 Definitive Additional Materials
 Soliciting Material under Rule 14a-12

NETFLIX, INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

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Letter from Our Lead

Independent Director

 

 


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PRELIMINARY PROXY STATEMENT-SUBJECT TO COMPLETION


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Letter from Our Lead

Independent Director

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Jay HoagFellow Stockholders,    

FELLOW STOCKHOLDERS,

We hope you and your families are healthy and safe. TheDespite the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges and 2020 was a year marked with extraordinary loss for many. Throughout the year,in 2021, we were fortunate to be able to adapt our business operations to protect the well-being of our employees and partners while also ensuring business continuity. We are grateful that we have been able to provide ourcontinue providing members with a source of escape, connection and comfort during these challenging times.

  This past year also brought issues of racial and social injustice to the forefront. As a global company with a broad member base, we believe that talented employees with diverse backgrounds, cultures, perspectives, and experiences unlock and drive innovation, creativity, and the variety of our storytelling. We believe that more diversity in our company leads to more diversity behind the camera and more diversity on screen, and we published our first Inclusion Report in January 2021, providing a snapshot of representation within the company, and how we plan to increase it and cultivate a community of belonging. We followed that with a groundbreaking study, from the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, examining diversity in our US original series and films, which we shared publicly to benchmark our progress and hold ourselves accountable for our goals of ongoing improvement.comfort.

We are humbled by our talented and dedicated teams who continuedcontinue to create and deliver world class entertainment during these extraordinary times.across a variety of genres and languages, demonstrating that great stories come from anywhere and are enjoyed by audiences everywhere. Our original stories deeply resonated with audiences and, within the prior year, we were honored to have been nominated for 129 Emmys and won 44 - matching the record for most in a single year set by CBS in 1974. We were nominated for 160 Emmys and an industry-leading 3627 Academy Award nominations within the last year.Awards, and won Best Director, and we were nominated for 24 British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) awards, winning Best Picture, Best Director, and Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer.

In 2020,2021, we had approximately 204222 million paid memberships, achieved approximately $25$30 billion in revenue, representing 24%19% year-over-year growth, and approximately $4.6over $6 billion of operating income, representing 76%35% year-over-year growth, as well as improved our cash flows from operations. We prioritize creating long-term value foralso added mobile games to our stockholders, demonstrated by our strong total stockholder return. As of December 31, 2020, we delivered 67% in annualized total stockholder return over the prior one-year period and 40% since our initial public offering in 2002 through December 31, 2020.service.

We believe we are in the early stages of the transition to streaming entertainment all around the world. To support continued growth, we evolved the management team with the appointment of Ted Sarandos as Co-Chief Executive Officer, in addition to his role as Chief Content Officer,made progress on our Environmental, Social and Greg Peters as Chief Operating Officer, in addition to his role as Chief Product Officer. Ted was also appointed to the Board. Reed Hastings continues to serve as Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. Ted is instrumental to the innovation and success of Netflix, particularly in driving the content strategy. Both Co-Chief Executive Officers collaborate closely on corporate strategy and are involved in all aspects of management. Greg oversees global operations and our team responsible for product, ensuring that Netflix stays aligned, productive and able to improve rapidly. We believe this is an effective leadership model and mostly formalized the prior working relationship between Reed and Ted.

Governance (“ESG”) initiatives. The Board, alongside management, continued to actively engage with stockholdersshareholders to seek their input and provide perspective on our policies and practices. This year, the discussions were focused on environmental, socialLast fall, we held a virtual ESG Investor Day where members of our Board and governance matters; diversity, equity and inclusion;management team engaged with a number of our shareholders. In addition to discussing our sustainability efforts and our executive compensation program.approach to diversity and inclusion, we had meaningful and candid

discussions about our corporate governance practices. This shareholder feedback continues to inform our regular review of our corporate governance practices, and the Board has decided to evolve to a more standard large-cap governance structure. At our annual meeting, we will present management proposals to declassify our board, remove supermajority voting provisions in our charter and bylaws, and enable shareholders to call special meetings. We will also change the voting standard for our directors in uncontested elections. We believe that these changes are appropriate given that we’ve proven the streaming business model, we are self-funding and expect sustained positive annual free cash flow, and we have substantially scaled our revenues, operating profit and margin. More details on the proposals and these changes are provided in the following pages.

We recently published our third ESG Report and our second Inclusion Report. These reports provide updates on our important efforts to support the diversity of our employee base as we seek to better serve our members, advance our sustainability efforts and, most importantly, reinforce our commitment to transparency that is central to how we at Netflix operate.

On behalf of the Board, we thank you for your investment and wish you and your families good health.

Warm regards,

 

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Jay C. Hoag

Lead Independent Director

 

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Notice of Annual Meeting

 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

TO BE HELD ON JUNE 3, 2021

To the Stockholders of Netflix, Inc.:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Netflix, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), will be held on June 3, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. Pacific Time. You can attend the Annual Meeting via the internet and vote your shares electronically by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/NFLX2021

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Notice

Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be Held on June 2, 2022

To the Stockholders of Netflix, Inc.:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the annual meeting of stockholders of Netflix, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), will be held on June 2, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. Pacific Time (“Annual Meeting”). You can attend the Annual Meeting via the internet and vote your shares electronically by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/NFLX2022 (there is no physical location for the Annual Meeting). You will need to have your 16-Digit Control Number included on your Notice or your proxy card (if you received a printed copy of the proxy materials) to join the Annual Meeting.

THE ANNUAL MEETING WILL BE HELD FOR THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES:

1.

To elect four Class II directors to hold office until the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders;

2.

To consider a management proposal to declassify our Board of Directors;

3.

To consider a management proposal to eliminate supermajority voting provisions;

4.

To consider a management proposal to create a new stockholder right to call a special meeting;

5.

To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the Annual Meeting). You will need to have your 16-Digit Control Number included on your Notice or your proxy card (if you received a printed copy of the proxy materials) to join the Annual Meeting.

The Annual Meeting will be held for the following purposes:

1.

To elect four Class I directors to hold office until the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders;year ending December 31, 2022;

2.

To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2021;

3.
6.

Advisory approval of the Company’s named executive officer compensation;

4.

To consider three

7.

To consider two stockholder proposals, if properly presented at the Annual Meeting; and

5.

8.

To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the meeting.

These business items are described more fully in the Proxy Statement accompanying this Notice. Only stockholders who owned our common stock at the close of business on April 8, 2021 can vote at this meeting or any adjournments that may take place.

All stockholders are cordially invited to attend the meeting via the internet.

For ten days prior to the Annual Meeting, a complete listadjournment or postponement of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting will be available for examination by any stockholder for any purpose germane to the meeting. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, please email board@netflix.com to make arrangements to examine the stockholder list. The stockholder list will also be available during the annual meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/NFLX2021

These business items are described more fully in the Proxy Statement accompanying this Notice. Only stockholders who owned our common stock at the close of business on April 4, 2022 can vote at this meeting or any adjournments that may take place.

ALL STOCKHOLDERS ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING VIA THE INTERNET.

For ten days prior to the Annual Meeting, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting will be available for examination by any stockholder for any purpose germane to the meeting. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, please email board@netflix.com to make arrangements to examine the stockholder list. The stockholder list will also be available during the Annual Meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/NFLX2022 and entering your 16-Digit Control Number.

By order of the Board of Directors

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David Hyman

Chief Legal Officer and Secretary

April     , 2022

Los Gatos, California

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YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. PLEASE VOTE OVER THE INTERNET, WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING VIA THE INTERNET. IF YOU RECEIVED A PAPER PROXY CARD AND VOTING INSTRUCTIONS BY MAIL, PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE, WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING VIA THE INTERNET.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON JUNE 2, 2022: THIS PROXY STATEMENT, THE NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS AND THE ANNUAL REPORT ARE AVAILABLE AT WWW.PROXYVOTE.COM.

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Contents

Information Concerning Solicitation and Voting3
Netflix 2021 Year in Review6

Proposal 1: Our Board of Directors

Election of Directors

8
Who We Are10
How We are Selected, Elected and Evaluated20
How We Govern and are Governed21
How We are Organized24
How to Communicate with Us27
How We are Paid28
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions30

Proposal 2: Management Proposal

Declassification of the Board of Directors

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David Hyman

Chief Legal Officer and Secretary

April 23, 2021

Los Gatos, California

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Table of Contents

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INFORMATION CONCERNING                    

SOLICITATION AND VOTING                    


GENERAL

The attached proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors (the “Board”)

43

Our Company

Executive Officers

44

Proposal 6: Our Pay

Advisory Approval of Executive Officer Compensation

49
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
A Message from the Compensation Committee Chair52
Our Company and 2021 Performance52
Stockholder Engagement and the 2021 Say-on-Pay Vote Result53
2021 Named Executive Officers53
Compensation Philosophy54
Compensation Program Overview54
Dilution, Burn Rate and Equity Overhang55
Determining Executive Compensation Magnitude56
Elements of Executive Compensation57
Executive Compensation in 202159
Named Executive Officer Compensation for 202261
Termination-Based Compensation and Change
in Control Retention Incentives
61
Tax Considerations62
Prohibition on Hedging62
Clawback of Performance-Based Awards63
Compensation Risk63
Code of Ethics63
Compensation Committee Report64
Compensation of Named Executive Officers and Other Matters65
Summary Compensation Table66
Grants of Plan-Based Awards67
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End69
Option Exercises79
Potential Payments upon Termination or Change-in-Control79
Pay Ratio Disclosure79

Proposal 7

Stockholder Proposal

81

Proposal 8

Stockholder Proposal

84
Other Information88

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners

and Management

89
Equity Compensation Plan Information91
Stockholders Sharing an Address91
Other Matters92

Appendix A

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Netflix, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company,” “Netflix,” “we,” “us” or “our”), for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on June 3, 2021, at 3:00 p.m. Pacific Time (the “Annual Meeting”), or at any adjournment or postponement of this meeting, for the purposes set forth in this Proxy Statement and in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and form of proxy. This year’s Annual Meeting will be held entirely via the internet and will be conducted by our Chief Legal Officer and Secretary. Stockholders may participate in the Annual Meeting by visiting the following website: www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/NFLX2021. To participate in the Annual Meeting, you will need the

16-digit93

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INFORMATION CONCERNING SOLICITATION AND VOTING


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Information Concerning

Solicitation and Voting

General

The attached proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Netflix, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company,” “Netflix,” “we,” “us” or “our”), for use at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held on June 2, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. Pacific Time (the “Annual Meeting”), or at any adjournment or postponement of this meeting, for the purposes set forth in this Proxy Statement and in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and form of proxy. This year’s Annual Meeting will be held entirely via the internet and will be conducted by our Chief Legal Officer and Secretary. Stockholders may participate in the Annual Meeting by visiting the following website: www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/NFLX2022. To participate in the Annual Meeting, you will need the 16-digit control number included on your Notice, on your proxy card or on the instructions that accompanied your proxy materials. We encourage you to access the Annual Meeting webcast prior to the start time. Online check-in will begin at 2:45 p.m. Pacific Time, and you should allow ample time for the check-in procedures. If you encounter any difficulties accessing the virtual meeting during the check-in or meeting time, please call the technical support number that will be posted on the virtual shareholder meeting log in page.

Hosting the Annual Meeting via the internet provides expanded access, reduced environmental impact and cost savings for our stockholders and the Company. Hosting a virtual meeting enables increased stockholder attendance and participation. In addition, we intend for the virtual meeting format to provide stockholders a similar level of transparency to the traditional in person meeting format. As a longstanding practice for many years, our stockholders are able to submit questions four times a year as part of our quarterly earnings interview, and answers to top investors’ questions are available on our Investor Relations website at https://ir.netflix.net. As such, questions at our Annual Meeting will be limited to those for our auditors, if any. Instructions on how to ask questions for our quarterly earnings interviews are found in the press release announcing the date on which we will release each quarter’s earnings results.

Pursuant to rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), we have elected to provide access to our proxy materials over the internet. Accordingly, we will mail, on or about April     , 2022, a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials to stockholders of record and beneficial owners as of the close of business on April 4, 2022, referred to as the Record Date. On the date of mailing of the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, all stockholders will have the ability to access all of the proxy materials at https://ir.netflix.net/financials/annual-reports-and-proxies/default.aspx. Should you request it, we will make paper copies of these proxy materials available free of charge. To request a copy, please send your request to our Secretary at the address listed below.

Our principal executive offices are located at 100 Winchester Circle, Los Gatos, California 95032, and our telephone number is (408) 540-3700. Our internet website address is www.netflix.com. You may find our SEC filings, including our annual reports on Form 10-K, on our Investor Relations website at https://ir.netflix.net/financials/sec-filings/default.aspx.

Revocability of Proxies will begin at 2:45 p.m. Pacific Time, and you should allow ample time for the check-in procedures. If you encounter any difficulties accessing the virtual meeting during the check-in or meeting time, please call the technical support number that will be posted on the virtual shareholder meeting log in page.

Hosting the Annual Meeting via the internet provides expanded access, reduced environmental impact and cost savings for our stockholders and the Company. Hosting a virtual meeting enables increased stockholder attendance and participation. In addition, we intend that the virtual meeting format provides stockholders a similar level of transparency to the traditional in person meeting format. As a longstanding practice for many years, our stockholders are able to submit questions four times a year as part of our quarterly earnings interview, and answers to top investors questions are available on our Investor Relations website at https://ir.netflix.net. As such, questions at our Annual Meeting will be limited to those for our auditors, if any. Instructions on how to ask questions for our quarterly earnings interviews are found in the press release announcing the date on which we will release each quarter’s earnings results.

Pursuant to rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), we have elected to provide access to our proxy materials over the internet. Accordingly, we will mail, on or about April 23, 2021, a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials to stockholders of record and beneficial owners as of the close of business on April 8, 2021, referred to as the Record Date. On the date of mailing of the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, all stockholders will have the ability to access all of the proxy materials at https://ir.netflix.net/financials/annual-reports-and-proxies/default.aspx. Should you request it, we will make paper copies of these proxy materials available free of charge. To request a copy, please send your request to our Secretary at the address listed below.

Our principal executive offices are located at 100 Winchester Circle, Los Gatos, California 95032, and our telephone number is (408) 540-3700. Our internet website address is www.netflix.com. You may find our SEC filings, including our annual reports on Form 10-K, on our Investor Relations website at https://ir.netflix.net/financials/sec-filings/default.aspx.

REVOCABILITY OF PROXIES

You may change your vote at any time prior to the vote at the Annual Meeting. If you are a stockholder of record as of the Record Date, you may change your vote by granting a new proxy bearing a later date (which automatically revokes the earlier proxy), by providing a written notice of revocation to our Secretary at the address above prior to your shares being voted, or by attending the Annual Meeting and voting via the internet. Attendance at the Annual Meeting will not cause your previously granted proxy to be revoked unless you specifically make that request. For shares you hold beneficially in the name of a broker, trustee or other nominee, you may change your vote by submitting new voting instructions to your broker, trustee or nominee, or, if you have obtained a legal proxy from your broker or nominee giving you the right to vote your shares, by attending the Annual Meeting and voting via the internet.

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Voting and Solicitation

Only stockholders of record at the close of business on the Record Date will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. At the close of business on the Record Date, there were 444,273,850 shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote. Each holder of record of shares of common stock on that date will be entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters to be voted upon at the Annual Meeting.

You may vote via the internet by going to www.proxyvote.com and following the instructions on the screen. As explained in greater detail in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, to vote your shares, you may vote via the internet by visiting www.proxyvote.com and having available your 16-digit control number(s) contained on your Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials. If you received your proxy materials by mail, you may vote by completing the enclosed proxy card, dating and signing it and returning it in the postage-paid envelope provided, or you may vote by phone by following the instructions on your proxy card. You may vote via the internet or by phone up until 8:59 p.m. Pacific Time on June 1, 2022. If you vote by mail, your proxy card must be received by June 1, 2022. If you are a stockholder of record on the Record Date, you can participate in the Annual Meeting online at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/NFLX2022 and vote your shares during the Annual Meeting.

Properly delivered proxies will be voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with the specifications made. Where no specifications are given, such proxies will be voted “FOR” all nominees, “FOR” proposals Two through Six, and “AGAINST” proposals Seven and Eight. It is not expected that any matters other than those referred to in this Proxy Statement will be brought before the Annual Meeting. If, however, any matter not described in this Proxy Statement is properly presented for action at the Annual Meeting, the persons named as proxies in the enclosed form of proxy will have authority to vote according to their own discretion.

The required quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting is the presence via the internet or by proxy of holders of a majority of the stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting as of the Record Date. Shares that are voted “FOR,” “AGAINST,” “WITHHOLD” or “ABSTAIN,” referred to as the Votes Cast, are treated as being present at the Annual Meeting for purposes of establishing a quorum. An abstention will have the same effect as a vote against proposals Two through Eight. Broker non-votes will be counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum for the transaction of business, but such non-votes will not be counted for purposes of determining the number of Votes Cast with respect to any proposal. Thus, a broker non-vote will not affect the outcome of the voting on proposals One through Eight. A “broker non-vote” occurs when a nominee holding shares for a beneficial owner does not vote on a particular proposal because the nominee does not have discretionary voting power with respect to that proposal and has not received instructions with respect to that proposal from the beneficial owner.

If you hold your shares through a broker, bank or other nominee (“street name”) it is critical that you cast your vote if you want it to count in the election of directors (Proposal One of this Proxy Statement), any of the management proposals (Proposals Two, Three, Four and Five of this Proxy Statement), advisory approval of executive officer compensation (Proposal Six of this Proxy Statement), or any of the stockholder proposals (Proposals Seven and Eight of this Proxy Statement). Thus, if you hold your shares in “street name” and you do not instruct your bank or broker how to vote in the election of directors, no vote will be cast on your behalf on these proposals.

The cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by us. We may reimburse banks and brokers and other persons representing beneficial owners for their reasonable out-of-pocket costs. Our officers, directors and others may solicit proxies, personally or by telephone, facsimile or electronic mail, without additional compensation. If you vote using the internet or by phone, you may incur data or telephone usage charges from internet access providers or phone companies. We will not reimburse those costs.

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Stockholder Proposals

Stockholder proposals that are intended to be presented at our 2023 annual meeting of stockholders in our proxy materials for such meeting must comply with the requirements of SEC Rule 14a-8 and must be received by our Secretary no later than December 23, 2022 in order to be included in our Proxy Statement and proxy materials relating to our 2023 annual meeting of stockholders.

Stockholder nominations for director that are intended to be presented at our 2023 annual meeting of stockholders in our proxy materials for such meeting must comply with our bylaws and must be received by our Secretary no earlier than November 23, 2022 and no later than December 23, 2022 in order to be considered for inclusion in our Proxy Statement and proxy materials relating to our 2023 annual meeting of stockholders. A stockholder proposal or a nomination for director or any other matter that will not be included in our Proxy Statement and proxy materials, but that a stockholder intends to present via the internet at the meeting, must generally be submitted to our Secretary no earlier than February 6, 2023, and no later than March 8, 2023. Such proposal or nomination must also comply with the requirements set forth in our bylaws. Proposals and nominations should be mailed to: Netflix, Inc., 100 Winchester Circle, Los Gatos, California 95032, Attention: Secretary. Our bylaws have been filed with the SEC and are available at www.sec.gov.

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Netflix 2021 Year in

Review

Business Highlights

We achieved several milestones in 2021: we had the biggest TV show of the year (Squid Game), our two biggest film releases of all time (Red Notice and Don’t Look Up) and Netflix was the most Emmy-winning and most nominated TV network and the most Oscar-winning and nominated movie studio of 2021. In 2021, we had approximately 222 million paid memberships, and financial highlights for 2021 included achieving approximately $30 billion in annual revenue, representing 19% year-over-year growth, and over $6 billion in operating income, representing 35% year-over-year growth.

Executive Leadership

We have had a Co-Chief Executive Officer structure since 2020, when Ted Sarandos was named Co-Chief Executive Officer along with Reed Hastings. This change mostly formalized the prior working relationship between Ted and Reed, who have had a long history of collaboration on corporate strategy, planning and all aspects of company management. We believe the Co-CEO structure provides broad expertise and deep leadership at the highest level of the Company, and provides an efficient and effective leadership model to support our future growth.

In September 2021, we hired Sergio Ezama as our Chief Talent Officer to lead our talent organization. Mr. Ezama brings over 20 years of experience scaling global talent teams. His truly global perspective is critical as Netflix continues to build teams around the world to support the growth of our business and organization. In March 2022, Marian Lee became Netflix’s Chief Marketing Officer. Ms. Lee previously served as Vice President of Marketing for Netflix in the United States and Canada (“UCAN”) region. She has deep experience in entertainment having previously served as Spotify’s Vice President, Global Co-Head of Music. Additionally, Ms. Lee worked at various companies, including J.Crew, Gilt, Conde Nast, and Vogue.

Board Composition

Ambassador Susan Rice resigned from the Board effective January 20, 2021. More information on each Board member can be found in the section titled, “Proposal 1: Our Board of Directors—Election of Directors—Who We Are.”

Response to COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic continued to significantly impact the media and entertainment industry, including our business and operations. We were able to adapt our business operations to resume most of our productions, though certain of our productions continue to experience disruption, as do the productions of our third-party content suppliers. The Board and management team continue to actively monitor the situation and alter our business operations as may be required by federal, state, local or foreign authorities, or that we determine are in the best interests of our employees, customers, partners and shareholders. Our hope is that with increasing accessibility to vaccines in our major production locations that the worst of the pandemic is behind us.

Inclusion and Diversity

Our company culture remains an important aspect of our operations. As we have expanded our offices globally, we have also become mindful of cultural differences across and within regions. Fostering a work environment that is culturally diverse and inclusive is a major focus for us. Our Talent Organization, with the support of a dedicated team, works on building diversity and inclusion into all aspects of our operations globally. We want more people and cultures to see themselves reflected on screen—so it’s important that our employee base is as diverse as the communities we serve.

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We published our second annual Inclusion Report on our website that provides a snapshot of representation within the Company, how we plan to increase it, and how we cultivate a community of belonging and allyship. We also published our U.S. Employer Equal Opportunity data (EEO-1 data) reaching back to our 2014 filing.

We support a broad range of employee resource groups (ERGs), representing employees from many historically underrepresented and/or marginalized communities. Our ERGs are important in creating a more inclusive environment for all employees, allowing space to connect on shared experiences, and providing mentoring, career development and volunteering opportunities. Each ERG is supported by senior leaders across the Company.

Environment

In 2021, Netflix advanced its public corporate sustainability goals through a variety of initiatives. We (a) committed to short-term and long-term science-based emissions reduction targets for our operations and suppliers, (b) made good progress reducing energy use and decarbonizing our electrical supply, (c) piloted clean technology and transport on productions, and (d) invested in the protection of nature-based carbon sinks and removals. More details are available in our most recent ESG Report published in March 2022 on our Investor Relations website.

Transparency

We are committed to continued stockholder engagement and transparency and provide comprehensive information about our ESG initiatives and activities on our Investor Relations website. In response to input from our stockholders, we began publishing in 2020 an Environmental Social Governance report that covers our ESG performance for the prior year. We use the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) reporting framework for the “Internet & Media Services” and “Media & Entertainment” industries. In 2022, in response to a stockholder proposal and interest from stockholders for more information about our political activities, we began publishing a report about our political contributions, which to date, have been limited. The ESG Reports, Inclusion Reports, EEO-1 data and other ESG information are available at ir.netflix.net.

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Directors Standing for Election

Four Class II directors, Timothy Haley, Leslie Kilgore, Strive Masiyiwa and Ann Mather, are to be elected at the Annual Meeting. Unless otherwise instructed, the proxy holders will vote the proxies received by them for Mr. Haley, Ms. Kilgore, Mr. Masiyiwa and Ms. Mather, each of whom is currently a director of the Company. If any of Mr. Haley, Ms. Kilgore, Mr. Masiyiwa and Ms. Mather is unable or declines to serve as a director at the time of the Annual Meeting, the proxies will be voted for a substitute nominee designated by the Board to fill the vacancy. Each of Mr. Haley, Ms. Kilgore, Mr. Masiyiwa and Ms. Mather has agreed to serve as a director of the Company if elected. The term of the office of directors elected at this Annual Meeting will continue until the annual meeting of stockholders held in 2025 or until such director’s successor has been duly elected or appointed and qualified, or until their earlier resignation or removal.

We are also presenting a proposal to declassify the Board (management proposal 2). If that proposal receives sufficient stockholder support, starting in 2023, directors will stand for one-year terms, with the full Board standing for annual election starting in 2025.

Nominee

AgePrincipal Occupation

Timothy Haley

67Managing Director, Redpoint Ventures

Leslie Kilgore

56Former Chief Marketing Officer of Netflix, Inc.

Strive Masiyiwa

61Chairman and founder of Econet Global

Ann Mather

62Former Chief Financial Officer of Pixar

Each nominee has extensive business experience, education and personal skills that qualifies him or her to serve as an effective Board member. The specific experience, qualifications and skills of Mr. Haley, Ms. Kilgore, Mr. Masiyiwa and Ms. Mather are set forth below. The Nominating and Governance Committee evaluates potential candidates for service on the Board. Mr. Masiyiwa was recommended by executive officers of the Company.

Required Vote

The four nominees receiving the highest number of affirmative Votes Cast will each be elected as Class II directors.

Netflix Recommendation

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The Board unanimously recommends that the stockholders vote “FOR” the nominees listed above.

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                2022 Proxy Statement

9


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 Who We Are

Board Overview

Our Board is composed of 12 highly experienced, talented, and qualified directors with experience as board members and executives at some of the world’s most successful companies. We believe that the Board is well situated to navigate the changing competitive terrain that Netflix operates within. The Board has led Netflix through its evolution from a US DVD-by-mail company to a global streaming company to one of the leading entertainment companies in the world, while effectively managing risk and overseeing management performance.

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BOARD TENURE

Board balances fresh thinking, new perspectives, and emerging skill needs with institutional knowledge and stability

GENDER DIVERSITY

A quarter of directors are women.

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STRATEGY ALIGNMENT

Our Board has the experience and

expertise that aligns with these important

facets of our long-term strategy

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    10

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Our Directors

Directors standing for election:

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DIRECTOR SINCE: 1998

AGE: 67

COMMITTEES:

    COMPENSATION (CHAIR)

CLASS: II

Timothy Haley

INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

Why this director is valuable to Netflix

As a venture capital investor, Mr. Haley brings strategic and financial experience to the Board. He has evaluated, invested in and served as a board member on numerous companies. His executive recruiting background also provides the Board with insight into talent selection and management.

Also...

Mr. Haley was President of Haley Associates, an executive recruiting firm serving the high technology industry from 1986 -1998, and serves on the boards of several private companies. Mr. Haley holds a B.A. from Santa Clara University.

Career Snapshot:

•  Managing Director, Redpoint Ventures, a venture capital firm (since 1999)

•  Managing Director, Institutional Venture Partners, a venture capital firm (since 1998)

Other Public Company Boards

•  2U, Inc.

•  ThredUp, Inc.

•  Zuora, Inc.

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    DIRECTOR SINCE: 2012

    (INDEPENDENT SINCE

    2015)

AGE: 56

COMMITTEES: AUDIT

CLASS: II

Leslie Kilgore

INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

Why this director is valuable to Netflix

Ms. Kilgore’s experience as a marketing executive with internet retailers and consumer product companies provides a unique business perspective and her numerous managerial positions provide strategic and operational experience to the Board.

Also...

As our former Chief Marketing Officer, Ms. Kilgore deeply understands the Netflix business and is able to bring years of marketing experience to the Board. She holds an M.B.A. from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business and a B.S. from The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. She previously served on the board of LinkedIn Corp., and she currently serves on the boards of several other companies.

Career Snapshot:

•  Chief Marketing Officer of Netflix (2000-2012)

•  Director of Marketing at Amazon (1999-2000)

•  Brand manager at The Procter & Gamble Company (1992-1999)

Other Public Company Boards

•  Pinterest, Inc.

•  Nextdoor Holdings, Inc.

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2022 Proxy Statement

11


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DIRECTOR SINCE: 2020

AGE: 61

COMMITTEES:

    NOMINATING AND

    GOVERNANCE1

CLASS: II

Strive Masiyiwa

INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

Why this director is valuable to Netflix

As the Chairman and founder of Econet Global, a telecommunications and technology group with operations and investments in 29 countries in Africa and Europe, Mr. Masiyiwa provides a unique international perspective to the Board. In addition, his experience in building businesses across Africa and the world provides the Company with valuable insight as it expands globally.

Also...

Mr. Masiyiwa serves on several international boards including Unilever Plc, National Geographic Society, Asia Society, and the Global Advisory boards of Bank of America, the Council on Foreign Relations (in the US), Stanford University, and the Prince of Wales Trust for Africa, and is a longstanding board member of the United States Holocaust Museum’s Committee on Conscience. A former board member of the Rockefeller Foundation for 15 years, he is Chairman Emeritus of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and African Union Special Envoy to the continent’s COVID response. He received a BSc in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Wales. Mr. Masiyiwa has received honorary doctorates from Morehouse College, Yale University, Nelson Mandela University and Cardiff University.

Career Snapshot:

•  Founder and Executive Chairman of Econet Global (1993-Present)

Other Public Company Boards

•  Unilever Plc

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DIRECTOR SINCE: 2010

AGE: 62

COMMITTEES: AUDIT

    (CHAIR, FINANCIAL

    EXPERT)

CLASS: II

Ann Mather

INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

Why this director is valuable to Netflix

Ms. Mather’s experience as an executive with several major media companies provides a unique business perspective. As a former CFO and senior finance executive at major corporations, she brings more than 20 years of financial and accounting expertise to the Board. Additionally, Ms. Mather’s numerous managerial positions and service on public company boards provides strategic, operational and corporate governance experience.

Also...

Ms. Mather previously served on the board of Shutterfly, Inc., a photography and image-sharing company (2013-2019), Glu Mobile Inc., a publisher of mobile games (2005-2021) and Airbnb, Inc., a vacation rental online marketplace company (2018-2021). She has also been an independent trustee to the board of trustees of Dodge & Cox Funds, a mutual fund, since May 2011. She received her M.A. from Cambridge University, and is an Honorary Fellow of Sidney Sussex College Cambridge.

Career Snapshot:

•  Executive Vice President and CFO of Pixar (1999-2004)

•  Executive Vice President and CFO of Village Roadshow Pictures (1999)

•  Various executive positions at The Walt Disney Company (1993-1999)

Other Public Company Boards

•  Alphabet Inc.

•  Arista Networks, Inc. (Ms. Mather has announced that she will not stand for re-election and intends to resign from the board of directors of Arista Networks effective as of its 2022 annual meeting.)

•  Blend Labs, Inc.

•  Bumble Inc.

1

Mr. Masiyiwa was appointed to the Nominating and Governance Committee in March 2022.

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Directors not standing for election:

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DIRECTOR SINCE: 2002

AGE: 54

COMMITTEES: AUDIT

CLASS: I (EXPIRES 2024)

Richard Barton

INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

Why this director is valuable to Netflix

Having founded successful internet-based companies (including Zillow, Expedia and GlassDoor), Mr. Barton provides strategic and technical insight to the Board. In addition, Mr. Barton brings experience with respect to marketing products to consumers through the internet.

 

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Mr. Barton was a venture partner at Benchmark, a venture capital firm that has been an early-stage investor in companies like Twitter, Instagram, Uber and Zillow, from 2005 until 2018. He has served on many public company boards, including Altimeter Growth Corp. from 2020-2021 and Altimeter Growth Corp. 2 from 2021-2022. Mr. Barton holds a B.S. in general engineering: industrial economics from Stanford University.

Career Snapshot:

•  Co-founder and Chief Executive of Zillow-Group (2005-2011 and 2019-present)

•  Co-founder and Chairman of GlassDoor (2007-2018)

•  Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Expedia (1996-2003)

Other Public Company Boards

•  Qurate Retail, Inc. (formerly Liberty Interactive Corporation)

•  Zillow Group, Inc.

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DIRECTOR SINCE: 2018

AGE: 52

COMMITTEES:

    COMPENSATION

CLASS: I (EXPIRES 2024)

Rodolphe Belmer

INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

Why this director is valuable to Netflix

As a media executive located in France, Mr. Belmer brings a unique international perspective to the Board. In addition, his media experience and business acumen provide the Board with valuable insight as it expands its global operations.

Also...

Mr. Belmer began his career in the marketing department of Procter & Gamble France before joining McKinsey in 1998. He is a graduate of France’s HEC business school.

Career Snapshot:

•  CEO and director of Atos SE, global leader in digital transformation (since 2022)

•  CEO and director of Eutelsat, the leading satellite operator in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (2016-2021)

•  CEO of Canal + Group (2012-2015); various additional roles since joining in 2001

Other Public Company Boards

•  None

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2022 Proxy Statement

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DIRECTOR SINCE: 2018

AGE: 59

COMMITTEES:

    COMPENSATION

CLASS: III (EXPIRES 2023)

Mathias Döpfner

INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

Why this director is valuable to Netflix

As a media executive located in Germany, Mr. Döpfner brings international perspective, media experience and business acumen to the Board.

Also...

Mr. Döpfner has extensive experience in media and digital transformation and a strong track record of increasing revenues related to digital activities. He previously served on the boards of Vodafone Group plc (2015-2018) and Time Warner Inc. (2006-2018). Additionally, his relationships and honorary offices at entities including the American Academy, the American Jewish Committee and the European Publishers Council among many others provide him with relevant insight and perspective in international media. He studied Musicology, German and Theatrical Arts in Frankfurt and Boston.

Career Snapshot:

•  Chairman and CEO, Axel Springer SE, Europe’s leading digital publishing house (since 2002)

•  His former roles at Axel Springer SE include editor-in-chief of Die Welt (1998-2000) and as a member of the Management Board (starting in 2000)

•  Visiting Professor in media at University of Cambridge, St. John’s College (2010)

Other Public Company Boards

•  Warner Music Group Corp.

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DIRECTOR AND

CHAIRPERSON

SINCE:1997

AGE: 61

COMMITTEES: NONE

CLASS: III (EXPIRES 2023)

Reed Hastings

CO-CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND PRESIDENT OF THE COMPANY, AND CHAIRPERSON OF THE BOARD

Why this director is valuable to Netflix

Mr. Hastings, as co-founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer, deeply understands the technology and business of Netflix and brings strategic and operational insight to the Board. He is also a software engineer, holds an MSCS in Artificial Intelligence from Stanford University, and has unique management and industry insights.

Also...

Mr. Hastings is an active educational philanthropist: he served on the California State Board of education from 2000 to 2004, and after receiving his B.A. from Bowdoin College in 1983 served in the Peace Corps as a high school math teacher in Swaziland. Mr. Hastings previously served on the board of Facebook, Inc. from 2011-2019.

Career Snapshot:

•  Founder, Co-Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairperson of Netflix (since 1997)

•  Founder, Pure Software (1991) through IPO (1995) and ultimate sale to Rational Software

Other Public Company Boards

•  None

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2021 PROXY STATEMENT          3


VOTING AND SOLICITATIONLOGO

Only stockholders

DIRECTOR SINCE:1999

AGE: 63

COMMITTEES:

    NOMINATING AND

    GOVERNANCE (CHAIR)

CLASS: III (EXPIRES 2023)

Jay C. Hoag

LEAD INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

Why this director is valuable to Netflix

As a venture capital investor, Mr. Hoag brings strategic insights and financial experience to the Board. He has evaluated, invested in and served as a board member on numerous companies, both public and private, and is familiar with a full range of recordcorporate and board functions. His many years of experience in helping companies shape and implement strategy provide the Board with unique perspectives on matters such as risk management, corporate governance, talent selection and management.

Also...

Mr. Hoag has been a technology investor and venture capitalist for more than 39 years, involved in numerous technology investments including Altiris (acquired by Symantec), CNET, Expedia, Facebook, Fandango (acquired by Comcast), Intuit, Sybase, Ascend Communications (acquired by Lucent Technologies), Airbnb, Peloton, and Zillow. Mr. Hoag is on the Investment Advisory Committee at the closeUniversity of businessMichigan, the Board of Trustees of Northwestern University, and the Board of Trust at Vanderbilt University. Previously, Mr. Hoag served on the Record Date will be entitled to noticeboard of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. At the close of business on the Record Date, there were 443,402,736 shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote. Each holder of record of shares of common stock on that date will be entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters to be voted upon at the Annual Meeting.

You may vote via the internet by going to www.proxyvote.com and following the instructions on the screen. As explained in greater detail in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, to vote your shares, you may vote via the internet by visiting www.proxyvote.com and having available your 16-digit control number(s) contained on your Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials. If you received your proxy materials by mail, you may vote by completing the enclosed proxy card, dating and signing it and returning it in the postage-paid envelope provided, or you may vote by phone by following the instructions on your proxy card. You may vote via the internet or by phone up until 8:59 p.m. Pacific Time on June 2, 2021. If you vote by mail, your proxy card must be received by June 2, 2021. If you are a stockholder of record on the Record Date, you can participate in the Annual Meeting online at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/NFLX2021 and vote your shares during the Annual Meeting.

Properly delivered proxies will be voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with the specifications made. Where no specifications are given, such proxies will be voted “FOR” all nominees, “FOR” proposals Two and Three, and “AGAINST” proposals Four through Six. It is not expected that any matters other than those referred to in this Proxy Statement will be brought before the Annual Meeting. If, however, any matter not described in this Proxy Statement is properly presented for action at the Annual Meeting, the persons named as proxies in the enclosed form of proxy will have authority to vote according to their own discretion.

The required quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting is the presence via the internet or by proxy of holdersdirectors of a majority of the stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting as of the Record Date. Shares that are voted “FOR,” “AGAINST,” “WITHHOLD” or “ABSTAIN,” referred to as the Votes Cast, are treated as being present at the Annual Meeting for purposes of establishing a quorum. An abstention will have the same effect as a vote against proposals Two through Six. Broker non-votes will be counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum for the transaction of business, but such non-votes will not be counted for purposes of determining the number of Votes Cast with respect to any proposal. Thus, a broker non-vote will not affect the outcome of the voting on proposals One through Six. A “broker non-vote” occurs when a nominee holding shares for a beneficial owner does not vote on a particular proposal because the nominee does not have discretionary voting power with respect to that proposalother public and has not received instructions with respect to that proposalprivate companies, including TechTarget, Inc. from 2004-2016, Electronic Arts from 2011-2021, and Prodege from 2014-2021. Mr. Hoag holds an M.B.A. from the beneficial owner.

If you hold your shares throughUniversity of Michigan and a broker, bank or other nominee (“street name”) it is critical that you cast your vote if you want it to count in the election of directors (Proposal One of this Proxy Statement), advisory approval of executive officer compensation (Proposal Three of this Proxy Statement), or any of the stockholder proposals (Proposals Four, Five and Six of this Proxy Statement). Thus, if you hold your shares in “street name” and you do not instruct your bank or broker how to vote in the election of directors, no vote will be cast on your behalf on these proposals.

The cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by us. We may reimburse banks and brokers and other persons representing beneficial owners for their reasonable out-of-pocket costs. Our officers, directors and others may solicit proxies, personally or by telephone, facsimile or electronic mail, without additional compensation. If you vote using the internet or by phone, you may incur data or telephone usage chargesB.A. from internet access providers or phone companies. We will not reimburse those costs.Northwestern University.

 

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Career Snapshot:


STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

Stockholder proposals that are intended to be presented at our 2022 Annual Meeting•  Founding General Partner of Stockholders in our proxy materials for such meeting must comply with the requirements of SEC Rule 14a-8 and must be received by our Secretary no later than December 24, 2021 in order to be included in our Proxy Statement and proxy materials relating to our 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Stockholder nominations for director that are intended to be presented at our 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders in our proxy materials for such meeting must comply with our bylaws and must be received by our Secretary no earlier than November 24, 2021 and no later than December 24, 2021 in order to be considered for inclusion in our Proxy Statement and proxy materials relating to our 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. A stockholder proposal orTCV (Technology Crossover Ventures), a nomination for director or any other matter that will not be included in our Proxy Statement and proxy materials, but that a stockholder intends to present via the internet at the meeting, must generally be submitted to our Secretary no earlier than February 7, 2022, and no later than March 9, 2022. Such proposal or nomination must also comply with the requirements set forth in our bylaws. Proposals and nominations should be mailed to: Netflix, Inc., 100 Winchester Circle, Los Gatos, California 95032, Attention: Secretary. Our bylaws have been filed with the SEC and are available at www.sec.gov.venture capital firm (since 1995)

 

LOGOOther Public Company Boards

•  Peloton Interactive, Inc.

•  TCV Acquisition Corp.

•  TripAdvisor, Inc.

•  Zillow Group, Inc.

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2021 PROXY STATEMENT          5

2022 Proxy Statement


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Netflix

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DIRECTOR SINCE: 2020 Year in Review

BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTSAGE: 57

In a profoundly challenging year, we were grateful to present TV series, documentaries and feature films in more than 30 languages and 190 countries that resonated so deeply with audiences and earned a record 160 Emmy nominations and 36 Academy Award nominations within the last year. In 2020, we had approximately 204 million paid memberships, and financial highlights for 2020 included achieving approximately $25 billion in annual revenue, representing 24% year-over-year growth, and approximately $4.6 billion in operating income, representing 76% year-over-year growth. Our cash provided by operating activities also improved in 2020. We prioritize creating long-term value for our stockholders demonstrated by our strong stockholder return. As of December 31, 2020, we delivered 67%, 41%, 36% and 36% in annualized total stockholder returns over the prior    one-,COMMITTEES: three-, five- andNONE

    ten-yearCLASS: periods, respectively, and 40% since our initial public offering in 2002.III (EXPIRES 2023)

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP CHANGES

In July 2020, Ted Sarandos was appointed

CO-CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CHIEF CONTENT OFFICER OF THE COMPANY

Why this director is valuable to the Board and promoted to the role of Co-Chief Executive Officer, in addition to his role as Chief Content Officer. Reed Hastings continues to serve as Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. Netflix

Mr. Sarandos, has served as the Chief Content Officer since 2000, and this promotion formalized the evolution and growth of his duties and responsibilities. Messrs. Hastings and Sarandos have a long history of collaboration and will continue to work closely on corporate strategy and planning and are involved in all aspects of management.

Also in July 2020, Greg Peters was appointed as Chief Operating Officer, in addition to his role as Chief Product Officer, in which he has served since 2017. Mr. Peters has been with Netflix since 2008, holding positions of increasing responsibility, bringing strategic and analytical strength to the executive team. In his role as Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Peters oversees global operations and our team responsible for product – anything a member or non-member touches when they come to our service, ensuring that we stay aligned, productive and able to improve rapidly.

We believe the Co-Chief Executive Officer leadership structure and the addition of the Chief Operating Officer role provide an efficient and effective leadership model to support our future growth.

BOARD COMPOSITION

In 2020, we added two new members to the Board, Ted Sarandos, our Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Content Officer, who was appointedis integral to developing corporate strategy and oversees the teams responsible for the acquisition, creation and promotion of all Netflix content including original series from around the world. His in-depth knowledge about Netflix and experience in the entertainment industry provide a unique business perspective to the Board.

Also...

Mr. Sarandos has been responsible for all content operations since 2000, and led the Company’s transition into original content production that began in 2013 with the launch of series such as House of Cards, Arrested Development and Orange is the New Black. With more than 20 years’ experience in home entertainment, he is recognized in the industry as an innovator in film acquisition and distribution and was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2013. He is a Henry Crown Fellow at the Aspen Institute and serves on the board of Exploring The Arts, a nonprofit focused on arts in schools. Mr. Sarandos also serves on the Film Advisory Board infor the Tribeca and Los Angeles Film Festivals, is an American Cinematheque board member, an Executive Committee Member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and is a trustee of the American Film Institute.

Career Snapshot:

•  Co-Chief Executive Officer (since July 20202020) and Strive Masiyiwa, who was appointedChief Content Officer of Netflix (since 2000)

•  Executive at video distributor ETD and Video City/West Coast video, a video rental retail chain

•  Producer/Executive Producer for award-winning and critically acclaimed documentaries and independent films including the Emmy-nominated Outrage and Tony Bennett: The Music Never Ends.

Other Public Company Boards

•  Spotify Technology S.A.

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DIRECTOR SINCE: 2015

AGE: 63

COMMITTEES:

    NOMINATING AND

    GOVERNANCE

CLASS: I (EXPIRES 2024)

Brad Smith

INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

Why this director is valuable to Netflix

With a leading role at Microsoft, Mr. Smith brings broad business and international experience on a variety of issues, including government affairs and public policy to the BoardBoard. Mr. Smith also brings experience playing a key role in December 2020. Ambassador Susan Rice resigned fromrepresenting Microsoft externally and in leading Microsoft’s work on a number of critical issues, including privacy, security, accessibility, environmental sustainability and digital inclusion, among others, which provides additional expertise to the Board effective January 20, 2021. More information on each Board member can be found in the section titled, “Proposal One: Our Board of Directors—Election of Directors—Who We Are.”

RESPONSE TO COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic and precautions to mitigate the spread of the virus significantly impacted the media and entertainment industry, including our business and operations. In an effort to protect the health and safety of ourBoard.

 

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Also...


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Mr. Smith has led a push for diversity within Microsoft’s legal division, advocating for increasing employment of diverse employees our workforce has had, and continues in most instances, to spend a significant amount of time working from home. While we and our partners have resumed productions and related operations in most parts of the world, certain of our productions continue to experience disruption, as do the productions of our third-party content suppliers. As a result, our ability to produce content remains affected by the pandemic. The Board and management team continue to actively monitor the situation and alter our business operations as may be required by federal, state, local or foreign authorities, or that we determine are in the best interests of our employees, customers, partners and stockholders.

At the onset of the pandemic, most filming stopped globally, with the exception of a few countries. Recognizing the devastating impact on hundreds of thousands of crew and cast members, many of whom are paid hourly wages and work project-to-project, we established a $150 million hardship fund to directly support the hardest hit workers in the creative community. While most of the fund supports members of our own productions, $30 million of the fund will go to third parties and non-profits, providing emergency relief to out-of-work crew and cast across the broader TV and film industry in countries where we have a large production base.

INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY

Our company culture remains an important aspect of our operations. As we have expanded our offices globally, we have also become mindful of cultural differences across and within regions. Fostering a work environment that is culturally diverse, inclusive and equitable is a major focus for us. We employ a team reporting to our VP of Inclusion Strategy who works to build diversity, inclusion and equity into all aspects of our operations globally, with the goal of having diversity and inclusion function as a critical lens through which each Netflix employee carries out their role. We want more people and cultures to see themselves reflected on screen—so it’s important that our employees are diverse like the communities we serve. We strive to increase representation by training our recruiters on how to hire more inclusively, and to helpat the company and senior leaders diversify their networks.

We publishedassociated law firms. Mr. Smith holds a B.A. in January 2021 an Inclusion Report on our website that providesinternational relations and economics from Princeton, a snapshotJ.D. from Columbia University School of representation withinLaw and also studied international law and economics at the company, how we plan to increase it, and how we cultivate a communityGraduate Institute of belonging and allyship. We have also published our U.S. Employer Equal Opportunity data (EEO-1 data) reaching back to our 2014 filing.

We also support numerous employee resource groups (ERGs), representing employees and allies from a broad array of historically underrepresented and/or marginalized communities. Our ERGs are importantInternational Studies in creating a more inclusive environment for all employees, allowing space to connect on shared experiences, providing mentoring, career development and volunteering opportunities, and to provide the Company with insight into the perspectives, needs and lived experiences of the communities. Each ERG is supported by senior leaders across the Company.

TRANSPARENCY

We are committed to continued stockholder engagement and transparency. In response to input from our stockholders, we began publishing in 2020 an Environmental Social Governance report that covers our ESG performance for the prior year. We use the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) reporting framework for the “Internet & Media Services” and “Media & Entertainment” industries. The ESG reports for 2019 and 2020 are available at ir.netflix.net. In addition, we will continue to publish our Inclusion Report and EEO-1 data on our website annually.Geneva.

 

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2021 PROXY STATEMENT          7
Career Snapshot:


•  President and Vice Chair of Microsoft (since 2021); he originally joined Microsoft in 1993

•  Associate and then Partner, Covington & Burling (1986-1993)

 

Proposal 1

Our Board of Directors

Election of Directors

Other Public Company Boards

•  None

 

THE BOARD

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UNANIMOUSLY

RECOMMENDS THAT

THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE

“FOR” RICHARD N. BARTON,

RODOLPHE BELMER,

BRADFORD L. SMITH AND ANNE M. SWEENEY

  16

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DIRECTORS STANDING FOR ELECTION

Four Class I directors, Richard N. Barton, Rodolphe Belmer, Bradford L. Smith and Anne M. Sweeney, are to be elected at the Annual Meeting. Unless otherwise instructed, the proxy holders will vote the proxies received by them for Messrs. Barton, Belmer, and Smith and Ms. Sweeney, each of whom is currently a director of the Company. If Mr. Barton, Mr. Belmer, Mr. Smith or Ms. Sweeney is unable or declines to serve as a director at the time of the Annual Meeting, the proxies will be voted for a substitute nominee designated by the Board to fill the vacancy. Each of Mr. Barton, Mr. Belmer, Mr. Smith and Ms. Sweeney has agreed to serve as a director of the Company if elected. The term of the office of directors elected at this Annual Meeting will continue until the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held in 2024 or until such director’s successor has been duly elected or appointed and qualified, or until their earlier resignation or removal.

Nominee

AgePrincipal Occupation

Richard N. Barton

53Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Zillow-Group

Rodolphe Belmer

51Chief Executive Officer of Eutelsat S.A.

Bradford L. Smith

62President and Chief Legal Officer of Microsoft

Anne M. Sweeney

63Former Co-Chair, Disney Media Networks and President, Disney/ABC Television Group

Each nominee has extensive business experience, education and personal skills that qualifies him or her to serve as an effective Board member. The specific experience, qualifications and skills of Messrs. Barton, Belmer, and Smith and Ms. Sweeney are set forth below. The Nominating and Governance Committee evaluates potential candidates for service on the Board.

Required Vote

The four nominees receiving the highest number of affirmative Votes Cast will each be elected as Class I directors.

Netflix Recommendation

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The Board unanimously recommends that the stockholders vote “FOR” the nominees listed above.

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2021 PROXY STATEMENT          9


Who We Are

BOARD OVERVIEW

Our Board is composed of 12 highly experienced, talented, and qualified directors with experience as board members and executives at some of the world’s most successful companies. We believe that the Board is well situated to navigate the changing competitive terrain that Netflix operates within. The Board has led Netflix through its evolution from a US DVD-by-mail company to a global streaming company to one of the leading entertainment companies in the world, while effectively managing risk and overseeing management performance. By successfully navigating this evolution, our annualized total stockholder return since our initial public offering in 2002 through December 31, 2020 was 40%.

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Board Tenure

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Gender Diversity

Board balances fresh thinking, new perspectives, and emerging skill needs with institutional knowledge and stability

A quarter of directors are women.

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OUR DIRECTORS

Directors standing for election:

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RICHARD BARTON

INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

DIRECTOR SINCE: 2002 CLASS: I AGE: 53

COMMITTEES: AUDIT

Why this director is valuable to Netflix

Having founded successful internet-based companies (including Zillow, Expedia and GlassDoor), Mr. Barton provides strategic and technical insight to the Board. In addition, Mr. Barton brings experience with respect to marketing products to consumers through the internet.

Also...

Mr. Barton was a venture partner at Benchmark, a venture capital firm that has been an early-stage investor in companies like Twitter, Instagram, Uber and Zillow, from 2005 until 2018. He has served on many public company boards. Mr. Barton holds a B.S. in general engineering: industrial economics from Stanford University.

Career Snapshot:

•  Chief Executive and co-founder of Zillow-Group (since 2010)

•  Co-founder and Chairman of GlassDoor (2007-2018)

•  Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Expedia (1996-2003)

Other Public Company Boards

•  Qurate (formerly Liberty Interactive)

•  Zillow Group

•  Altimeter Growth Corp.

•  Altimeter Growth Corp. 2

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RODOLPHE BELMER

INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

DIRECTOR SINCE: 2018 CLASS: I AGE: 51

COMMITTEES: COMPENSATION

Why this director is valuable to Netflix

As a media executive located in France, Mr. Belmer brings a unique international perspective to the Board. In addition, his media experience and business acumen provide the Board with valuable insight as it expands its global operations.

Also...

Mr. Belmer began his career in the marketing department of Procter & Gamble France before joining McKinsey in 1998. He is a graduate of France’s HEC business school.

Career Snapshot:

•  CEO and director of Eutelsat, the leading satellite operator in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (since 2016)

•  CEO of Canal + Group (2012-2015); various additional roles since joining in 2001

Other Public Company Boards

•  None

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2021 PROXY STATEMENT          11


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BRAD SMITH

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DIRECTOR SINCE: 2015

AGE: 64

COMMITTEES:

    COMPENSATION

CLASS: I (EXPIRES 2024)

Anne Sweeney

INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

Why this director is valuable to Netflix

Ms. Sweeney has held various senior positions with large entertainment companies, which provided her with broad strategic and operational experience. Her experience in the entertainment industry provides a unique business perspective to the Board as Netflix builds its global internet TV network.

Also...

Ms. Sweeney’s entertainment experience spans more than three decades, including her oversight of Disney’s cable, broadcast and satellite properties globally for 18 years. During that time, she was charged with launching and running over 118 Disney Channels in 164 countries in 34 languages, and had oversight over various ABC properties including ABC Television Network, ABC Studios and the Disney ABC Cable Networks Group. Prior to Disney, she was CEO of FX Networks, Inc. from 1993 to 1996 and spent more than 12 years at Viacom’s Nickelodeon Network. She holds an Ed. M. From Harvard University and a B.A. from the College of New Rochelle.

Career Snapshot:

•  Co-chair of Disney Media Networks and President of Disney/ABC Television Group (1996-2015)

•  Chairman and CEO of FX Networks, part of the Fox Entertainment Group/21st Century Fox (1993-1996)

Other Public Company Boards

•  None

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INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

DIRECTOR SINCE: 2015 CLASS: I AGE: 62

2022 Proxy Statement

COMMITTEES: NOMINATING AND GOVERNANCE

Why this director is valuable to Netflix

With a leading role at Microsoft, Mr. Smith brings broad business and international experience on a variety of issues, including government affairs and public policy to the Board. Mr. Smith also brings experience playing a key role in representing Microsoft externally and in leading Microsoft’s work on a number of critical issues, including privacy, security, accessibility, environmental sustainability and digital inclusion, among others, which provides additional expertise to the Board.

Also...

Mr. Smith has led a push for diversity within Microsoft’s legal division, advocating for increasing employment of diverse employees at the company and associated law firms. Mr. Smith holds a B.A. in international relations and economics from Princeton, a J.D. from Columbia University School of Law and also studied international law and economics at the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva.

Career Snapshot:

•  President and Chief Legal Officer of Microsoft (since 2015); he originally joined Microsoft in 1993

•  Associate and then Partner, Covington & Burling (1986-1993)

Other Public Company Boards

•  None

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ANNE SWEENEY

INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

DIRECTOR SINCE: 2015 CLASS: I AGE: 63

COMMITTEES: COMPENSATION

Why this director is valuable to Netflix

Ms. Sweeney has held various senior positions with large entertainment companies, which provided her with broad strategic and operational experience. Her experience in the entertainment industry provides a unique business perspective to the Board as Netflix builds its global internet TV network.

Also...

Ms. Sweeney’s entertainment experience spans more than three decades, including her oversight of Disney’s cable, broadcast and satellite properties globally for 18 years. During that time, she was charged with launching and running over 118 Disney Channels in 164 countries in 34 languages, and had oversight over various ABC properties including ABC Television Network, ABC Studios and the Disney ABC Cable Networks Group. Prior to Disney, she was CEO of FX Networks, Inc. from 1993 to 1996 and spent more than 12 years at Viacom’s Nickelodeon Network. She holds an Ed. M. From Harvard University and a B.A. from the College of New Rochelle.

Career Snapshot:

•  Co-chair of Disney Media Networks and President of Disney/ABC Television Group (1996-2015)

•  Chairman and CEO of FX Networks, part of the Fox Entertainment Group/21st Century Fox (1993-1996)

Other Public Company Boards

•  None

 

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Directors not standing for election:17

 

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REED HASTINGS

 

CO-CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND PRESIDENT OF THE COMPANY, AND CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

DIRECTOR AND CHAIRMAN SINCE: 1997 CLASS: III (EXPIRES 2023) AGE: 60
COMMITTEES: NONE

Why this director is valuable to Netflix

Mr. Hastings, as co-founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer, deeply understands the technology and business of Netflix and brings strategic and operational insight to the Board. He is also a software engineer, holds an MSCS in Artificial Intelligence from Stanford University, and has unique management and industry insights.

Also...

Mr. Hastings is an active educational philanthropist: he served on the California State Board of education from 2000 to 2004, and after receiving his B.A. from Bowdoin College in 1983 served in the Peace Corps as a high school math teacher in Swaziland. Mr. Hastings previously served on the board of Facebook, Inc. from 2011-2019.

Career Snapshot:

•  Founder, Co-Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of Netflix (since 1997)

•  Founder, Pure Software (1991) through IPO (1995) and ultimate sale to Rational Software

Other Public Company Boards

•  None

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JAY C. HOAG

LEAD INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

DIRECTOR SINCE: 1999 CLASS: III (EXPIRES 2023) AGE: 62

COMMITTEES: NOMINATING AND GOVERNANCE (CHAIR)

Why this director is valuable to Netflix

As a venture capital investor, Mr. Hoag brings strategic insights and financial experience to the Board. He has evaluated, invested in and served as a board member on numerous companies, both public and private, and is familiar with a full range of corporate and board functions. His many years of experience in helping companies shape and implement strategy provide the Board with unique perspectives on matters such as risk management, corporate governance, talent selection and management.

Also...

Mr. Hoag has been a technology investor and venture capitalist for more than 38 years, involved in a large number of technology investments including Altiris (acquired by Symantec), CNET, Expedia, Facebook, Fandango (acquired by Comcast), Intuit, and Sybase. Mr. Hoag is on the Investment Advisory Committee at the University of Michigan, the Board of Trustees of Northwestern University, and the Board of Trust at Vanderbilt University. Previously, Mr. Hoag has served on the board of directors of numerous other public and private companies, including TechTarget, Inc. from 2004-2016. Mr. Hoag holds an M.B.A. from the University of Michigan and a B.A. from Northwestern University.

Career Snapshot:

•  Founding General Partner at TCV (Technology Crossover Ventures), a venture capital firm (since 1995)

Other Public Company Boards

•  Electronic Arts

•  Peloton Interactive

•  TCV Acquisition Corp.

•  TripAdvisor

•  Zillow Group

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2021 PROXY STATEMENT          13


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MATHIAS DÖPFNER

INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

DIRECTOR SINCE: 2018 CLASS: III (EXPIRES 2023) AGE: 58

COMMITTEES: COMPENSATION

Why this director is valuable to Netflix

As a media executive located in Germany, Mr. Döpfner brings international perspective, media experience and business acumen to the Board.

Also...

Mr. Döpfner has extensive experience in media and digital transformation and a strong track record of increasing revenues related to digital activities. He previously served on the boards of Vodafone Group plc (2015-2018) and Time Warner Inc. (2006-2018). Additionally, his relationships and honorary offices at entities including the American Academy, the American Jewish Committee and the European Publishers Council among many others provide him with relevant insight and perspective in international media. He studied Musicology, German and Theatrical Arts in Frankfurt and Boston.

Career Snapshot:

•  Chairman and CEO, Axel Springer SE, Europe’s leading digital publishing house (since 2002)

•  His former roles at Axel Springer SE include editor-in-chief of Die Welt (1998-2000) and as a member of the Management Board (starting in 2000)

•  Visiting Professor in media at University of Cambridge, St. John’s College (2010)

Other Public Company Boards

•  Warner Music Group

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TIMOTHY HALEY

INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

DIRECTOR SINCE: 1998 CLASS: II (EXPIRES 2022) AGE: 66
COMMITTEES: COMPENSATION (CHAIR)

Why this director is valuable to Netflix

As a venture capital investor, Mr. Haley brings strategic and financial experience to the Board. He has evaluated, invested in and served as a board member on numerous companies. His executive recruiting background also provides the Board with insight into talent selection and management.

Also...

Mr. Haley was President of Haley Associates, an executive recruiting firm serving the high technology industry from 1986 - 1998, and serves on the boards of several private companies. Mr. Haley holds a B.A. from Santa Clara University.

Career Snapshot:

•  Managing Director, Redpoint Ventures, a venture capital firm (since 1999)

•  Managing Director, Institutional Venture Partners, a venture capital firm (since 1998)

Other Public Company Boards

•  2U, Inc.

•  ThredUp

•  Zuora

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LESLIE KILGORE

DIRECTOR

DIRECTOR SINCE: 2012 (INDEPENDENT SINCE 2015) CLASS: II (EXPIRES 2022) AGE: 55
COMMITTEES: AUDIT

Why this director is valuable to Netflix

Ms. Kilgore’s experience as a marketing executive with internet retailers and consumer product companies provides a unique business perspective and her numerous managerial positions provide strategic and operational experience to the Board.

Also...

As our former Chief Marketing Officer, Ms. Kilgore deeply understands the Netflix business and is able to bring years of marketing experience to the Board. She holds an M.B.A. from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business and a B.S. from The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. She previously served on the board of LinkedIn Corp., and she currently serves on the boards of several other companies.

Career Snapshot:

•  Chief Marketing Officer of Netflix (2000-2012)

•  Director of Marketing at Amazon (1999-2000)

•  Brand manager at The Procter & Gamble Company (1992-1999)

Other Public Company Boards

•  Medallia

•  Pinterest

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STRIVE MASIYIWA

INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

DIRECTOR SINCE: 2020 CLASS: II (EXPIRES 2022) AGE: 60

Board Skills and Experience

COMMITTEES: NONE

Why this director is valuable to Netflix

As the Chairman and founder of Econet Global, a telecommunications and technology group with operations and investments in 29 countries in Africa and Europe, Mr. Masiyiwa provides a unique international perspective to the Board. In addition, his experience in building businesses across Africa and the world provides the Company with valuable insight as it expands globally.

Also...

Mr. Masiyiwa serves on several international boards including Unilever Plc, National Geographic Society, Asia Society, and the Global Advisory boards of Bank of America, the Council on Foreign Relations (in the US), Stanford University, and the Prince of Wales Trust for Africa, and is a longstanding board member of the United States Holocaust Museum’s Committee on Conscience. A former board member of the Rockefeller Foundation for 15 years, he is Chairman Emeritus of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and African Union Special Envoy to the continent’s COVID response. He received a BSc in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Wales. Mr. Masiyiwa has received honorary doctorates from Morehouse College, Yale University, Nelson Mandela University and Cardiff University.

Career Snapshot:

•  Founder and Executive Chairman of Econet Global (1993-Present)

Other Public Company Boards

•  Unilever Plc

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2021 PROXY STATEMENT          15


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ANN MATHER

INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

DIRECTOR SINCE: 2010 CLASS: II (EXPIRES 2022) AGE: 61

COMMITTEES: AUDIT (CHAIR, FINANCIAL EXPERT)

Why this director is valuable to Netflix

Ms. Mather’s experience as an executive with several major media companies provides a unique business perspective. As a former CFO and senior finance executive at major corporations, she brings more than 20 years of financial and accounting expertise to the Board. Additionally, Ms. Mather’s numerous managerial positions and service on public company boards provides strategic, operational and corporate governance experience.

Also...

Ms. Mather previously served on the board of Shutterfly, Inc., a photography and image-sharing company (2013-2019) and Glu Mobile Inc., a publisher of mobile games (2005-2021). She has also been an independent trustee to the board of trustees of Dodge & Cox Funds, a mutual fund, since May 2011. She received her M.A. from Cambridge University, and is an Honorary Fellow of Sidney Sussex College Cambridge.

Career Snapshot:

•  Executive Vice President and CFO of Pixar (1999 - 2004)

•  Executive Vice President and CFO of Village Roadshow Pictures (1999)

•  Various executive positions at The Walt Disney Company (1993-1999)

Other Public Company Boards

•  Alphabet (formerly Google)

•  Airbnb

•  Bumble

•  Arista Networks

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TED SARANDOS

CO-CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CHIEF CONTENT OFFICER OF THE COMPANY

DIRECTOR SINCE: 2020 CLASS: III (EXPIRES 2023) AGE: 56

COMMITTEES: NONE

Why this director is valuable to Netflix

Mr. Sarandos, as Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Content Officer, is integral to developing corporate strategy and oversees the teams responsible for the acquisition, creation and promotion of all Netflix content including original series from around the world. His in-depth knowledge about Netflix and experience in the entertainment industry provide a unique business perspective to the Board.

Also...

Mr. Sarandos has been responsible for all content operations since 2000, and led the Company’s transition into original content production that began in 2013 with the launch of series such as House of Cards, Arrested Development and Orange is the New Black. With more than 20 years’ experience in home entertainment, he is recognized in the industry as an innovator in film acquisition and distribution and was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2013. He is a Henry Crown Fellow at the Aspen Institute and serves on the board of Exploring The Arts, a nonprofit focused on arts in schools. Mr. Sarandos also serves on the Film Advisory Board for the Tribeca and Los Angeles Film Festivals, is an American Cinematheque board member, an Executive Committee Member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and is a trustee of the American Film Institute.

Career Snapshot:

•  Co-Chief Executive Officer (since July 2020) and Chief Content Officer of Netflix (since 2000)

•  Executive at video distributor ETD and Video City/West Coast video, a video rental retail chain

•  Producer/Executive Producer for award-winning and critically acclaimed documentaries and independent films including the Emmy-nominated Outrage and Tony Bennett: The Music Never Ends.

Other Public Company Boards

•  Spotify

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BOARD SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Our Board believes that having a diverse mix of directors with complementary skills, experience, and expertise is important to meeting its oversight responsibility. That diversity, combined with transparent and broad access to information and exposure to management beyond the executive officers, allows the Board to exercise effective management oversight and to ensure the care of our stockholders’

Our Board believes that having a diverse mix of directors with complementary skills, experience, and expertise is important to meeting its oversight responsibility. That diversity, combined with transparent and broad access to information and exposure to management beyond the executive officers, allows the Board to exercise effective management oversight and to ensure the care of our shareholders’ interests. Below are a number of skills that our Board members bring to Netflix. If an individual is not listed under a particular attribute, it does not signify a director’s lack of ability to contribute in such area.

 

Leadership

Experience leading an enterprise scale organization, resulting in a practical understanding of organizational behavior, processes, strategic planning, and risk management. Demonstrated strengths in developing talent, planning succession, and driving change and long-term growth.

Richard Barton

Rodolphe Belmer

Mathias Döpfner

Timothy Haley

Reed Hastings

Jay Hoag

Leslie Kilgore

Strive Masiyiwa

Ann Mather

Ted Sarandos

Brad Smith

Anne Sweeney

Strategy

Experience and expertise in identifying and developing opportunities for long-term value creation, including experience in driving innovation, opening markets, improving operations, identifying risks, and executing successfully.

Richard Barton

Rodolphe Belmer

Mathias Döpfner

Timothy Haley

Reed Hastings

Jay Hoag

Leslie Kilgore

Strive Masiyiwa

Ann Mather

Ted Sarandos

Brad Smith

Anne Sweeney

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Leadership

Experience and expertise in identifying and developing opportunities for long-term value creation, including experience in driving innovation, opening markets, improving operations, identifying risks, and executing successfully.

Richard Barton

Rodolphe Belmer

Mathias Döpfner

Timothy Haley

Reed Hastings

Jay Hoag

Leslie Kilgore

Strive Masiyiwa

Ann Mather

Brad Smith

Ted Sarandos

Anne Sweeney

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Strategy

Experience and expertise in identifying and developing opportunities for long-term value creation, including experience in driving innovation, opening markets, improving operations, identifying risks, and executing successfully.

Richard Barton

Rodolphe Belmer

Mathias Döpfner

Timothy Haley

Reed Hastings

Jay Hoag

Leslie Kilgore

Strive Masiyiwa

Ann Mather

Ted Sarandos

Brad Smith

Anne Sweeney

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Finance & Accounting

 

    

Management or oversight of the finance function of an enterprise, resulting in proficiency in complex financial management, capital allocation, and financial reporting processes.

  

 

Richard Barton

 

Rodolphe Belmer

 

Mathias Döpfner

 

Timothy Haley

 

Reed Hastings

 

 

 

Jay Hoag

 

Leslie Kilgore

Ann Mather

Anne Sweeney

Entertainment & Media

Experience and expertise with the entertainment and media industry, resulting in a deep understanding of consumer expectations and innovations in content and delivery.

Richard Barton

Rodolphe Belmer

Mathias Döpfner

Reed Hastings

Leslie Kilgore

Ann Mather

Ted Sarandos

Anne Sweeney

Demographic Diversity

Representation of gender, ethnic, race, geographic, cultural, or other perspectives that expand the Board’s understanding of the needs and viewpoints of our members, partners, employees, governments, and other stakeholders worldwide.

Rodolphe Belmer

Mathias Döpfner

Leslie Kilgore

Strive Masiyiwa

 

Ann Mather

 

Anne Sweeney

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Entertainment & Media

Experience and expertise with the entertainment and media industry, resulting in a deep understanding of consumer expectations and innovations in content and delivery.

Richard Barton

Rodolphe Belmer

Mathias Döpfner

Reed Hastings

Leslie Kilgore

Ann Mather

Ted Sarandos

Anne Sweeney

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Demographic Diversity

Representation of gender, ethnic, race, geographic, cultural, or other perspectives that expand the Board’s understanding of the needs and viewpoints of our members, partners, employees, governments, and other stakeholders worldwide.

Rodolphe Belmer

Mathias Döpfner

Leslie Kilgore

Strive Masiyiwa

Ann Mather

Anne Sweeney

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Global Business & Government Relations

 

    

 

Expertise in global business cultures, consumer preferences, and /or government relations gained through local experience in international markets or senior positions overseeing public policy.

  

 

Rodolphe Belmer

 

Mathias Döpfner

 

Strive Masiyiwa

 

 

Ann Mather

 

Brad Smith

Technology

Experience and expertise in technology-related business or technology functions, resulting in knowledge of how to anticipate technological trends, understand and manage technology related risks, generate disruptive innovation, and extend or create new business models.

Richard Barton

Reed Hastings

Jay Hoag

Strive Masiyiwa

Brad Smith

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Technology

Experience and expertise in technology-related business or technology functions, resulting in knowledge of how to anticipate technological trends, understand and manage technology related risks, generate disruptive innovation, and extend or create new business models.

Richard Barton

Reed Hastings

Jay Hoag

Strive Masiyiwa

Brad Smith

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Marketing

 

    

 

Experience and expertise developing strategies to grow market share, package and position product offerings, build brand awareness and equity, and enhance enterprise reputation.

  

 

Richard Barton

 

Rodolphe Belmer

 

 

 

Leslie Kilgore

Ted Sarandos

Human Capital Management

Experience and expertise related to human resource issues such as attracting and retaining talent, succession planning, engagement of employees, and the development and evolution of culture, including the alignment of culture and long-term strategy.

Timothy Haley

Reed Hastings

 

Ted Sarandos

DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The Board has determined that each of Messrs. Barton, Belmer, Döpfner, Haley, Hoag, Masiyiwa and Smith, and Mses. Kilgore, Mather, and Sweeney are independent under the applicable rules of the SEC and the listing standards of the NASDAQ Stock Market; therefore, every member of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee is an independent director in accordance with those standards. In addition, the Board determined that Ambassador Rice was independent during the time she served on the Board.

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2022 Proxy Statement

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How We are Selected,

Elected and Evaluated

Consideration of Director Nominees

Director Qualifications

In discharging its responsibilities to nominate candidates for election to the Board, the Nominating and Governance Committee has not specified any minimum qualifications for serving on the Board. However, the Nominating and Governance Committee endeavors to evaluate, propose and approve candidates with business experience, diversity, as well as personal skills and knowledge with respect to technology, finance, marketing, financial reporting and any other areas that may be expected to contribute to an effective Board. With respect to diversity, the committee may consider such factors as diversity in viewpoint, professional experience, education, international experience, skills and other individual qualifications and attributes that contribute to board heterogeneity, including characteristics such as gender, race, and national origin.

Identifying and Evaluating Nominees for Directors

The Nominating and Governance Committee utilizes a variety of methods for identifying and evaluating nominees for director. Candidates may come to the attention of the Nominating and Governance Committee through management, current Board members, stockholders or other persons. These candidates are evaluated at meetings of the Nominating and Governance Committee as necessary and discussed by the members of the Nominating and Governance Committee from time to time. Candidates may be considered at any point during the year.

The Nominating and Governance Committee considers properly submitted stockholder nominations for candidates for the Board. Following verification of the stockholder status of persons proposing candidates, recommendations are aggregated and considered by the Nominating and Governance Committee. If any materials are provided by a stockholder in connection with the nomination of a director candidate, such materials are forwarded to the Nominating and Governance Committee. The Nominating and Governance Committee also reviews materials provided by professional search firms or other parties in connection with a nominee who is not proposed by a stockholder.

Stockholder Nominees

The Nominating and Governance Committee considers properly submitted stockholder nominations for candidates for membership on the Board as described above under “Identifying and Evaluating Nominees for Directors.” Any stockholder nominations proposed for consideration by the Nominating and Governance Committee should include the nominee’s name and qualifications for Board membership. In addition, they should be submitted within the time frame as specified under “Stockholder Proposals” above and mailed to: Netflix, Inc., 100 Winchester Circle, Los Gatos, California 95032, Attention: Secretary.

Our bylaws provide a proxy access right for stockholders, pursuant to which a stockholder, or a group of up to 20 stockholders, owning at least three percent of outstanding shares of our common stock continuously for at least three years, may nominate and include in our annual meeting proxy materials director nominees constituting up to the greater of (a) two directors or (b) twenty percent of the Board, subject to certain limitations and provided that the stockholders and nominees satisfy the requirements specified in our bylaws.

Our Board Evaluation Process

Each year, our Board conducts a self-evaluation process to help assure and enhance its performance. This process is overseen by the Nominating and Governance Committee, and involves interviews of each director by our Chief Legal Officer. Feedback is sought primarily in the following areas: (a) the Board’s effectiveness, structure, culture and composition, (b) the quality of and access to information shared with the Board about our business and (c) performance of the directors and quality of Board discussions.

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How We Govern and

are Governed

Our Approach to Corporate Governance

Corporate Governance Philosophy

Netflix operates in a highly competitive industry and has been in a state of constant innovation since inception. We have redefined how people watch video entertainment—first through DVD-by-mail, then streaming video, and now as one of the world’s leading entertainment services with approximately 222 million memberships in 190 countries. We compete with a broad set of activities for consumers’ leisure time including linear TV, video games, and social media to name just a few - and that competition has only increased as this dynamic market continues to evolve and entertainment companies all around the world develop their own streaming offering.

Our corporate governance structure is built against this backdrop. Governance, in this context, means finding the right balance of rights and responsibilities among shareholders, the Board, and management, and ensuring that there are appropriate checks and balances in place. With the rapid evolution of technology and the changing media landscape, we are continually adjusting our service to meet the dynamic needs and desires of our consumers. Our governance structure is built to help us to do that.

Our current governance structure, while unconventional, has served our shareholders extraordinarily well with a sustained period of substantial growth. We have, however, clearly proven our business model: streaming is now an established business, we’re self-funding and expect sustained positive free cash flow, and we’ve substantially scaled our revenues, operating profit and margin. Additionally, we have paid attention to our shareholders and increased our accountability to them by adopting provisions such as proxy access, and have continued to consider perspectives from our shareholders to inform our ongoing evaluation of our structure. As part of the regular governance review, the Netflix Board has decided to evolve to a more standard large-cap governance structure. We are presenting a proposal to declassify the Board and, if approved, will elect directors to one-year terms starting in 2023 with the entire Board standing for annual elections in 2025 and beyond. We are also presenting proposals to remove supermajority voting provisions in our Restated Certificate of Incorporation (our “Charter”) and provide shareholders with the ability to call special meetings. This proxy contains management proposals to effectuate these matters. We will also change the voting standard for our directors in uncontested elections, to be effective after our 2022 Annual Meeting.

We are seeking to implement these changes in a timely fashion, yet in a manner that also allows a smooth transition to the new governance structure. In this regard, our directors will be elected for a three-year term this year, but assuming passage of the declassification proposal, elections beginning in 2023 will be for a one-year term. The supermajority standard will also be eliminated for subsequent elections should the proposal succeed. With respect to a shareholder right to call a special meeting, we seek to balance shareholder rights while recognizing that special meetings of shareholders can be potentially disruptive to long-term shareholders’ interests and to business operations, can be misused and can cause us to incur substantial expenses. Accordingly, we are proposing a 20% “net-long” threshold for calling special meetings of shareholders, coupled with a 1-year holding period, to help to balance these considerations, ensuring that special meetings can be called by shareholders with a significant and durationally meaningful interest in the Company but are less likely to be disruptive to the Company and its operations and be more likely to address matters that merit the unusual step of convening a meeting in advance of the regularly scheduled annual meeting process. We note that the 20% threshold is common: of the approximately 64% of S&P 500 companies that allow shareholders to call special meetings, more than two-thirds have set the threshold at 20% or higher. (FactSet financial data and analytics)

Following our 2022 Annual Meeting, the Board will amend our bylaws to provide that directors shall be elected by a majority of the votes cast in an uncontested election. The plurality vote standard will remain for contested elections. We will also adopt a market standard director resignation policy, which will permit the Board to accept or reject such resignation after taking into account any factors or information it believes are appropriate and relevant.

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We believe that the above approach will allow us to successfully transition to a more standard governance structure in a manner that benefits all Netflix shareholders.

Stockholder Engagement and 2021 Stockholder Proposals

We are dedicated to engaging with our stockholders to solicit their views on a wide variety of issues, including corporate governance, environmental and social matters, executive compensation and other matters. Over the past several years, in response to stockholder feedback, and as part of our ongoing evaluation of best practices, the Board has incorporated enhancements to our disclosures and corporate governance practices as set forth below.

2022:

January

Announced intention to make governance changes, including removal of supermajority provisions, providing stockholders the ability to call special meetings, declassification of the Board and changing the voting standard for our directors in uncontested elections

Began publishing on our Investor Relations website disclosure regarding our political activities, including our political contributions, which to date have been limited

2021:

January

Published our first Inclusion Report

Published our EEO-1 reports

2020:

March

Published our first Environmental Social Governance (“ESG”) Report using the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) reporting framework for the “Internet & Media Services” and “Media & Entertainment” industries, which is published annually

Updated our insider trading policy to prohibit certain hedging and pledging transactions

April

Significantly enhanced readability and presentation of our proxy statement, including proxy disclosures of director qualifications and skills

2019:

March

Implemented proxy access bylaws

At our 2021 annual meeting, stockholders presented three proposals for vote. One proposal requested additional disclosure around political spending and received majority support from stockholders. The second proposal requested that we lower the two-thirds supermajority requirement for amending our Charter and bylaws to a simple majority. This proposal received majority support from stockholders. The third proposal sought inclusion of CEO pay ratio and other factors in our executive compensation philosophy and received less than 4% support from stockholders. After last year’s annual meeting and engagement with stockholders, we began disclosing our political activities, including a summary of our political contributions, on our Investor Relations website and are bringing a management proposal at this year’s Annual Meeting to eliminate the supermajority provisions in our Charter.

In 2021, we continued our engagement with shareholders to solicit feedback on a broad range of topics, including these stockholder proposals. We held a virtual ESG Investor Day in November 2021, with participation from a number of our shareholders, members of the Board and participants from our management team including our co-CEOs, and those responsible for sustainability, diversity and inclusion, finance, content, communications and public policy. Our conversations with shareholders during those sessions included governance structure, financial and business strategy, content issues, Netflix’s current actions and goals around decarbonizing our operations while spurring change among our supply chain, and our ongoing focus on diversity, equity and inclusion – for employees and others making content, both on and off screen. Q&A

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from participants also touched on the role of the Board in ESG, appropriate risk assessment, how the Board considers compensation in the context of competition for talent and considerations of various types of equity awards. Reed Hastings and Ted Sarandos also provided perspectives on business strategy and state of the business, and their functioning as co-CEOs. Shareholders were able to submit questions in advance as well as posing them in real time, and this dialogue was transparent to all of those in attendance. We heard feedback similar to that in prior years, that while some shareholders understood the rationale for our current governance structure, many indicated they strongly supported a change to a more standard model. Shareholders were generally positive on the increase in transparency around diversity, equity and inclusion issues as well as our increasing environmental initiatives and our focus on employee well-being. The feedback on our compensation program was limited, and while we did not hear thematic concerns about our compensation program, during the director session one shareholder questioned whether the compensation committee had considered moving from options to a direct grant of shares (whether RSUs or some other form of share grant).

The Board considered this feedback in its ongoing consideration of our governance structure, as well as that of past engagements and the results of prior shareholder votes. As the Board considered the current state of the business, including our proven business model and the acceptance of streaming as an established business, directors determined that moving to a governance structure more in line with established companies was appropriate, and has made and proposed changes that shareholders have indicated that they prefer, including elimination of supermajority, the right to call a special meeting, annual elections of directors and a majority voting standard for uncontested director elections.

The Role of the Board in Risk Oversight

The Board’s role in our risk oversight process includes reviewing and discussing with members of management areas of material risk to the Company, including strategic, operational, financial and legal risks. The Board as a whole primarily deals with matters related to strategic and operational risk and oversees the Company’s ESG efforts. Each of the committees oversee various ESG matters, depending on the specific issues, with the Nominating and Governance Committee serving as the primary committee responsible for ESG matters. The Nominating and Governance Committee also manages risks associated with Board independence and corporate governance. The Audit Committee deals with matters of financial and legal risk, including cybersecurity risk. The Compensation Committee addresses risks related to compensation and other human capital management issues, such as diversity and inclusion efforts. Committees report to the full Board regarding their respective considerations and actions.

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Human Capital Management

                2022 Proxy Statement

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How We are Organized

Board Meetings and Committees

The Board held four meetings during 2021. Each Board member attended at least 75% of the aggregate of the total number of Board meetings and meetings of the Board committees.

As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the Board has three standing committees: (1) the Compensation Committee; (2) the Audit Committee; and (3) the Nominating and Governance Committee.

Compensation Committee

In 2021, the Compensation Committee of the Board consisted of four non-employee directors: Messrs. Belmer, Döpfner, and Haley (Chair), and Ms. Sweeney. Each member of the Compensation Committee is independent in compliance with the rules of the SEC and the listing standards of the NASDAQ Stock Market as they pertain to Compensation Committee members. Each of the Compensation Committee members is also a non-employee director under Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act and an outside director under section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The Compensation Committee reviews and approves all forms of compensation to be provided to our executive officers and directors. For a description of the role of the executive officers in recommending compensation and the role of any compensation consultants, please see the section entitled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” below. The Compensation Committee held three meetings in 2021. Each member attended all the Compensation Committee meetings held in 2021, other than Ms. Sweeney who did not attend one meeting.

The Report of the Compensation Committee is included in this Proxy Statement. In addition, the Board has adopted a written charter for the Compensation Committee, which is available on our Investor Relations website at https://ir.netflix.net/governance/governance-docs/default.aspx.

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee of the Board consists of three non-employee directors: Mr. Barton, and Mses. Kilgore and Mather (Chair), each of whom is independent in compliance with the rules of the SEC and the listing standards of the NASDAQ Stock Market as they pertain to audit committee members. The Board has determined that Ms. Mather is an audit committee financial expert as defined by Item 407(d)(5)(ii) of Regulation S-K of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

The Audit Committee engages the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, reviews the Company’s financial controls, evaluates the scope of the annual audit, reviews audit results, consults with management and the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm prior to the presentation of financial statements to stockholders and, as appropriate, initiates inquiries into aspects of the Company’s internal accounting controls and financial affairs. The Audit Committee met seven times in 2021. Each member attended all of the Audit Committee meetings held in 2021.

The Report of the Audit Committee is included in this Proxy Statement. In addition, the Board has adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee, which is available on our Investor Relations website at https://ir.netflix.net/governance/governance-docs/default.aspx.

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Experience and expertise related to human resource issues such as attracting and retaining talent, succession planning, engagement of employees, and the development and evolution of culture, including the alignment of culture and long-term strategy.

   

Timothy Haley

Reed Hastings

Ted Sarandos

DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The Board has determined that each of Messrs. Barton, Belmer, Döpfner, Haley, Hoag, Masiyiwa and Smith, and Mses. Kilgore, Mather, and Sweeney are independent under the applicable rules of the SEC and the listing standards of the NASDAQ Stock Market; therefore, every member of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee is an independent director in accordance with those standards. In addition, the Board determined that Ambassador Rice was independent during the time she served on the Board.

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How We are Selected,

Elected and Evaluated

CONSIDERATION OF DIRECTOR NOMINEES

Director Qualifications

In discharging its responsibilities to nominate candidates for election to the Board, the Nominating and Governance Committee has not specified any minimum qualifications for serving on the Board. However, the Nominating and Governance Committee endeavors to evaluate, propose and approve candidates with business experience, diversity, as well as personal skills and knowledge with respect to technology, finance, marketing, financial reporting and any other areas that may be expected to contribute to an effective Board. With respect to diversity, the committee may consider such factors as diversity in viewpoint, professional experience, education, international experience, skills and other individual qualifications and attributes that contribute to board heterogeneity, including characteristics such as gender, race, and national origin.

Identifying and Evaluating Nominees for Directors

The Nominating and Governance Committee utilizes a variety of methods for identifying and evaluating nominees for director. Candidates may come to the attention of the Nominating and Governance Committee through management, current Board members, stockholders or other persons. These candidates are evaluated at meetings of the Nominating and Governance Committee as necessary and discussed by the members of the Nominating and Governance Committee from time to time. Candidates may be considered at any point during the year.

The Nominating and Governance Committee considers properly submitted stockholder nominations for candidates for the Board. Following verification of the stockholder status of persons proposing candidates, recommendations are aggregated and considered by the Nominating and Governance Committee. If any materials are provided by a stockholder in connection with the nomination of a director candidate, such materials are forwarded to the Nominating and Governance Committee. The Nominating and Governance Committee also reviews materials provided by professional search firms or other parties in connection with a nominee who is not proposed by a stockholder.

Stockholder Nominees

The Nominating and Governance Committee considers properly submitted stockholder nominations for candidates for membership on the Board as described above under “Identifying and Evaluating Nominees for Directors.” Any stockholder nominations proposed for consideration by the Nominating and Governance Committee should include the nominee’s name and qualifications for Board membership. In addition, they should be submitted within the time frame as specified under “Stockholder Proposals” above and mailed to: Netflix, Inc., 100 Winchester Circle, Los Gatos, California 95032, Attention: Secretary.

Our bylaws provide a proxy access right for stockholders, pursuant to which a stockholder, or a group of up to 20 stockholders, owning at least three percent of outstanding shares of our common stock continuously for at least three years, may nominate and include in our annual meeting proxy materials director nominees constituting up to the greater of (a) two directors or (b) twenty percent of the Board, subject to certain limitations and provided that the stockholders and nominees satisfy the requirements specified in our bylaws.

Nominating and Governance Committee

In 2021, the Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board consisted of two non-employee directors, Messrs. Hoag (Chair) and Smith. Ambassador Rice served on the Nominating and Governance Committee through her resignation date, January 20, 2021. Mr. Masiyiwa was appointed to the Nominating and Governance Committee in March 2022. Each director serving on the Nominating and Governance Committee is independent under the listing standards of the NASDAQ Stock Market. The Nominating and Governance Committee reviews and approves candidates for election and to fill vacancies on the Board, including re-nominations of members whose terms are due to expire, and reviews and provides guidance to the Board on corporate governance matters. The Nominating and Governance Committee met two times in 2021. Each member attended all the Nominating and Governance Committee meetings held in 2021.

The Board has adopted a written charter for the Nominating and Governance Committee, which is available on our investor relations website at https://ir.netflix.net/governance/governance-docs/default.aspx.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

None of our executive officers serves on the board of directors or compensation committee of a company that has an executive officer that serves on our Board or Compensation Committee. No member of our Board is an executive officer of a company in which one of our executive officers serves as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of that company.

In 2021, the Compensation Committee consisted of Messrs. Belmer, Döpfner, and Haley, and Ms. Sweeney, none of whom is currently or was formerly an officer or employee of the Company. None of Messrs. Belmer, Döpfner, or Haley, or Ms. Sweeney had a relationship with the Company that required disclosure under Item 404 of Regulation S-K. In addition to Messrs. Belmer, Döpfner, and Haley, and Ms. Sweeney, our Co-Chief Executive Officers and Chief Talent Officer participated in the executive compensation process for the year ended December 31, 2021 as described below in the section entitled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.”

Policy Regarding Director Attendance at the Annual Meeting

Our policy regarding directors’ attendance at the annual meetings of stockholders and their attendance record at last year’s annual meeting of stockholders can be found on our Investor Relations website at https://ir.netflix.net/governance/governance-docs/default.aspx.

The Board’s Leadership Structure

The Board combines the role of Chairperson and Chief Executive. While the Board reassesses maintaining the combined role from time to time, the Board believes that Mr. Hastings, a Co-Chief Executive Officer, is best situated to serve as Chairperson because he is the director most familiar with our business and industry and is therefore best able to identify the strategic priorities to be discussed by the Board. The Board also believes that combining the role of Chairperson and Co-Chief Executive Officer facilitates information flow between

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OUR BOARD EVALUATION PROCESS

Each year, our Board conducts a self-evaluation process to help assure and enhance its performance. This process is overseen by the Nominating and Governance Committee, and involves interviews of each director by our Chief Legal Officer. Feedback is sought primarily in the following areas: (a) the Board’s effectiveness, structure, culture and composition, (b) the quality of and access to information shared with the Board about our business and (c) performance of the directors and quality of Board discussions.

How We Govern

and are Governed

OUR APPROACH TO CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Corporate Governance Philosophy

Netflix operates in a dynamic industry and has been in a state of constant innovation since inception. We have redefined how people watch video—first through DVD-by-mail, then streaming video, and now as one of the world’s leading entertainment services with approximately 208 million memberships in 190 countries. Our success has not gone unnoticed, and we are seeing increasing competition, even as this dynamic market continues to evolve.

Our corporate governance structure is built against this backdrop. Governance, in this context, means finding the right balance of rights and responsibilities among stockholders, the Board, and management, and ensuring that there are appropriate checks and balances in place. With the rapid evolution of technology and the changing media landscape, we are continually adjusting our service to meet the dynamic needs and desires of our consumers. Our governance structure is built to help us to do that. Our focus is on creating long-term value for our stockholders, and we have been successful at that – since our initial public offering in 2002, annualized total stockholder return through December 31, 2020 was 40%.

Our governance structure is unconventional. We have several provisions that give our Board and our management team the freedom to be forward-thinking, such as making investments to build our own production studios and developing our own animation capabilities, with the confidence that they will be able to see those investments to fruition. At the same time, we have paid attention to our stockholders and increased our accountability to them by adopting provisions such as proxy access. We are proud of our governance structure, both because of how it has supported our success to date and for being innovative, such as the way that our Board has unfettered access to management and is able to seek information directly from employees all around the enterprise.

We strive to stay in tune with our ownership base. Our Board and our management team engage directly with our stockholders, and our Board and its committees consider stockholders’ feedback in assessing our governance structure, including our compensation program. These discussions provide a good opportunity to share views and answer questions; the input from our stockholders will continue to inform our ongoing evaluation of our structure.

We believe our approach to governance will continue to provide the greatest benefit to Netflix and our stockholders. We realize that elements of our structure may not fit within the standard corporate governance practices and that some stockholders take a different view. But we believe that Netflix’s long-term value is currently best optimized with our approach to governance.

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Stockholder Engagement and 2020 Stockholder Proposals

At our 2020 annual meeting, stockholders presented three proposals for vote. One proposal requested additional disclosure around political spending, and the proposal did not receive majority support from stockholders. The second proposal requested that we lower the two-thirds supermajority requirement for amending our charter and bylaws to a simple majority. This proposal did receive majority support from stockholders. The third proposal sought a public report regarding our equal employment opportunity policy, and received less than 1% support from stockholders.

We consider the voting results for stockholders proposals in our Board discussions and as we contemplate our governance structure.

We also engaged with stockholders to solicit feedback on a broad range of topics, including these stockholder proposals. We held 10 virtual meetings in the fall of 2020 with stockholders representing approximately 25% of our common stock outstanding. Members of the Board, accompanied by Company representatives as appropriate, participated in each of these conversations. We also held numerous engagement meetings earlier in 2020, prior to our 2020 annual meeting.

In addition to governance and compensation matters, our discussions in 2020 centered on our approach to environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters; diversity, equity and inclusion; our response to the COVID-19 pandemic; and our dual CEO management structure. Investors expressed a desire to see improved disclosure on environmental and social matters, which the recent hire of our Sustainability Officer is intended to help address. We have also recently increased our disclosure about these topics partly in response to investor feedback by publishing an Inclusion Report in January 2021 along with our EEO-1 and ESG reports.

We also discussed our approach to governance, including our goal of ensuring that we are best able to execute our long-term vision, which we believe is in the best interests of all stockholders. Investors understood our rationale for our governance structure, even if they disagreed with it. While investors inquired about our dual CEO model and how it works for Netflix, none expressed that it was inappropriate for us. We explained that the dual CEO model formalized the prior working relationship between Reed and Ted, and was an effective leadership model to further support our continued growth and international expansion. Stockholders gave us high marks for our response to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as our focus on employee well-being and our efforts to support the creative industry through our establishment of hardship funds.

The feedback on our compensation program was limited, with many investors understanding and supportive of our approach to compensation. While we did not hear thematic concerns about our compensation program during our meetings, one stockholder questioned some components of our compensation program, including the ability of our executives to allocate their compensation between cash and stock options.

We further note that our current practice with respect to our supermajority provision is a mainstream practice. According to data from FactSet, more than forty percent of S&P 500 companies have supermajority provisions in place, and our threshold is common and among the lower thresholds that companies have adopted. After consideration of stockholder feedback, industry trend data, and our corporate governance philosophy, we decided at this point not to lower the voting requirement from its current supermajority level. A simple majority vote requirement already applies to most corporate matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders. We believe that in the current dynamic business environment, the supermajority we have in place is appropriate to increase stability in our operations, while still being set low enough for stockholders to have a voice on issues where there is strong consensus. We will continue to monitor and evaluate this issue.

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THE ROLE OF THE BOARD IN RISK OVERSIGHT

The Board’s role in our risk oversight process includes reviewing and discussing with members of management areas of material risk to the Company, including strategic, operational, financial and legal risks. The Board as a whole primarily deals with matters related to strategic and operational risk. The Audit Committee deals with matters of financial and legal risk, including cybersecurity risk. The Compensation Committee addresses risks related to compensation and other talent-related matters. The Nominating and Governance Committee manages risks associated with Board independence and corporate governance. Committees report to the full Board regarding their respective considerations and actions. Throughout 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, management, with the support of our Board and Audit Committee, engaged, assessed and led our efforts to mitigate operational, employee and other risks to our business associated with the pandemic.

How We are Organized

BOARD MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES

The Board held five meetings during 2020. Each Board member attended at least 75% of the aggregate of the total number of Board meetings and meetings of the Board committees.

As of the date of this2022 Proxy Statement the Board has three standing committees: (1) the Compensation Committee; (2) the Audit Committee; and (3) the Nominating and Governance Committee.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

In 2020, the Compensation Committee of the Board consisted of four non-employee directors: Messrs. Belmer, Döpfner, Haley (Chair), and Ms. Sweeney. Mr. Hoag also served on the Compensation Committee until Mr. Döpfner’s appointment to the Compensation Committee in March 2020. Each member of the Compensation Committee is independent in compliance with the rules of the SEC and the listing standards of the NASDAQ Stock Market as they pertain to Compensation Committee members. Each of the Compensation Committee members is also a non-employee director under Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act and an outside director under section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The Compensation Committee reviews and approves all forms of compensation to be provided to our executive officers and directors. For a description of the role of the executive officers in recommending compensation and the role of any compensation consultants, please see the section entitled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” below. The Compensation Committee held four meetings in 2020. Each member attended all the Compensation Committee meetings held in 2020.

The Report of the Compensation Committee is included in this Proxy Statement. In addition, the Board has adopted a written charter for the Compensation Committee, which is available on our Investor Relations website at https://ir.netflix.net/governance/governance-docs/default.aspx.

AUDIT COMMITTEE

The Audit Committee of the Board consists of three non-employee directors: Mr. Barton, and Mses. Kilgore and Mather (Chair), each of whom is independent in compliance with the rules of the SEC and the listing standards of the NASDAQ Stock Market as they pertain to audit committee members. The Board has determined that Ms. Mather is an audit committee financial expert as defined by Item 407(d)(5)(ii) of Regulation S-K of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

 

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The Audit Committee engages the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, reviews the Company’s financial controls, evaluates the scope of the annual audit, reviews audit results, consults with management and the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm prior to the presentation of financial statements to stockholders and, as appropriate, initiates inquiries into aspects of the Company’s internal accounting controls and financial affairs. The Audit Committee met seven times in 2020. Each member attended at least 75% of the Audit Committee meetings held in 2020.25

The Report of the Audit Committee is included in this Proxy Statement. In addition, the Board has adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee, which is available on our Investor Relations website at https://ir.netflix.net/governance/governance-docs/default.aspx.

NOMINATING AND GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

The Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board consists of two non-employee directors, Messrs. Hoag (Chair) and Smith. Ambassador Rice served on the Nominating and Governance Committee through her resignation date, January 20, 2021. Each director serving on the Nominating and Governance Committee is independent under the listing standards of the NASDAQ Stock Market. The Nominating and Governance Committee reviews and approves candidates for election and to fill vacancies on the Board, including re-nominations of members whose terms are due to expire, and reviews and provides guidance to the Board on corporate governance matters. The Nominating and Governance Committee met two times in 2020. Each member attended all the Nominating and Governance Committee meetings held in 2020, other than Mr. Smith who did not attend one meeting.

The Board has adopted a written charter for the Nominating and Governance Committee, which is available on our investor relations website at https://ir.netflix.net/governance/governance-docs/default.aspx.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

None of our executive officers serves on the board of directors or compensation committee of a company that has an executive officer that serves on our Board or Compensation Committee. No member of our Board is an executive officer of a company in which one of our executive officers serves as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of that company.

In 2020, the Compensation Committee consisted of Messrs. Belmer, Döpfner (from March 2020), Haley, Hoag (through March 2020) and Ms. Sweeney, none of whom is currently or was formerly an officer or employee of the Company. None of Messrs. Belmer, Döpfner, Haley, or Hoag or Ms. Sweeney had a relationship with the Company that required disclosure under Item 404 of Regulation S-K. In addition to Messrs. Belmer, Döpfner, Haley, and Hoag and Ms. Sweeney, our Co-Chief Executive Officer, Reed Hastings, and Chief Talent Officer participated in the executive compensation process for the year ended December 31, 2020 as described below in the section entitled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.”

POLICY REGARDING DIRECTOR ATTENDANCE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING

Our policy regarding directors’ attendance at the annual meetings of stockholders and their attendance record at last year’s annual meeting of stockholders can be found on our Investor Relations website at https://ir.netflix.net/governance/governance-docs/default.aspx.

 

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management and the Board and fosters strategic development and execution. The Board has appointed Jay Hoag as its lead independent director. As lead independent director, Mr. Hoag’s responsibilities include:

coordinating the activities of the independent directors, and authorization to call meetings of the independent directors;

coordinating with the Co-Chief Executive Officers and corporate secretary to set the agenda for Board meetings, soliciting and taking into account suggestions from other members of the Board;

chairing executive sessions of the independent directors;

providing feedback and perspective to the Co-Chief Executive Officers about discussions among the independent directors;

helping facilitate communication among the Co-Chief Executive Officers and the independent directors;

presiding at Board meetings where the Chair is not present; and

performing other duties assigned from time to time by the Board.

In addition, the Board maintains effective independent oversight through a number of governance practices, including, open and direct communication with management, input on meeting agendas, annual performance evaluations and regular executive sessions.

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How to Communicate

with Us

Communications with the Board

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THE BOARD’S LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE

The Board combines the role of Chairman and Chief Executive. While the Board reassesses maintaining the combined role from time to time, the Board believes that Mr. Hastings, a Co-Chief Executive Officer, is best situated to serve as Chairman because he is the director most familiar with our business and industry and is therefore best able to identify the strategic priorities to be discussed by the Board. The Board also believes that combining the role of Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer facilitates information flow between management and the Board and fosters strategic development and execution. The Board has appointed Jay Hoag as its lead independent director. As lead independent director, Mr. Hoag’s responsibilities include:

coordinating the activities of the independent directors, and authorization to call meetings of the independent directors;

coordinating with the Co-Chief Executive Officers and corporate secretary to set the agenda for Board meetings, soliciting and taking into account suggestions from other members of the Board;

chairing executive sessions of the independent directors;

providing feedback and perspective to the Co-Chief Executive Officers about discussions among the independent directors;

helping facilitate communication among the Co-Chief Executive Officers and the independent directors;

presiding at Board meetings where the Chair is not present; and

performing other duties assigned from time to time by the Board.

In addition, the Board maintains effective independent oversight through a number of governance practices, including, open and direct communication with management, input on meeting agendas, annual performance evaluations and regular executive sessions.

How to Communicate with Us

COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE BOARD

We provide a process for stockholders to send communications to the Board through the email address board@netflix.com. Information regarding stockholder communications with the Board can be found on the Company’s Investor Relations website at https://ir.netflix.net/governance/governance-docs/default.aspx.

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How We are Paid

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How We are Paid

Our directors do not receive cash for services they provide as directors or members of Board committees but may be reimbursed for their reasonable expenses for attending Board and Board committee meetings. Each non-employee director receives stock options pursuant to the Director Equity Compensation Plan. The Director Equity Compensation Plan provides for a monthly grant of stock options to each non-employee director of the Company in consideration for services provided to us and subject to the terms and conditions of our equity compensation plans.

We believe that for our Company, compensating directors only with options is appropriate and creates the right incentives and long-term value alignment with stockholders. Without long-term value creation, directors are not compensated as the intrinsic value of options on dates of grant is zero.

The actual number of options granted each month to each of our directors is determined by the following formula: $25,000 / ([fair market value on the date of grant] x 0.40). Each monthly grant is made on the first trading day of the month, is fully vested upon grant and is exercisable at a strike price equal to the fair market value on the date of grant. The table below sets forth information concerning the compensation of our non-employee directors during 2021.

Compensia annually advises the Board on our Board compensation program for the upcoming year, based on a comparison against our peer group’s board compensation programs and other compensation-related developments. We have not made any changes to the compensation program for our Board since 2016.

The following table summarizes the compensation paid to all Board members for the year ended December 31, 2021, other than Reed Hastings and Ted Sarandos whose compensation is reflected in the Summary Compensation Table:

Name

  

Option Awards

($)(1)

   

Total

($)

 

Richard N. Barton

   350,675        350,675(3) 

Rodolphe Belmer

   350,437        350,437(4) 

Mathias Döpfner

   350,415        350,415(5) 

Timothy M. Haley

   350,675        350,675(6) 

Jay C. Hoag

   350,675        350,675(7) 

Leslie Kilgore

   350,675        350,675(8) 

Strive Masiyiwa

   350,415        350,415(9) 

Ann Mather

   350,675        350,675(10) 

Susan E. Rice(2)

   31,285        31,285(11) 

Bradford L. Smith

   350,675        350,675(12) 

Anne M. Sweeney

   350,675        350,675(13) 

(1)

Option awards reflect the monthly grant of stock options to each non-employee director on the dates and at the aggregate grant date fair values computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 as shown below. Only options to purchase whole shares are granted with any remaining amount of the Company in consideration for services provided to us and subjectgrant value carried over to the terms and conditions of our equity compensation plans.

We believe thatnext monthly grant. The differences in option award values for our company, compensating directors only with options is appropriate and creates the right incentives and long-term value alignment with stockholders. Without long-term value creation, directors are not compensated as the intrinsic value of options on dates of grant is zero.

The actual number of options granted each month to each of our directors is determined byMessrs. Belmer, Döpfner and Masiyiwa and Ambassador Rice reflect the following formula: $25,000 / ([fair market value ondifferent carryover amounts relating to the date of grant] x 0.40). Each monthly grant is made on the first trading dayappointment month for each director. For a discussion of the month, is fully vested upon grant and is exercisable at a strike price equalassumptions made in the valuation reflected in the Option Awards column, refer to the fair market value on the date of grant. The table below sets forth information concerning the compensation ofNote 9 to our non-employee directors during 2020.

In each of 2018 and 2019, Compensia advised the Board on our compensation program for our Boardconsolidated financial statements for the upcomingfiscal year basedended December 31, 2021 in our Form 10-K filed with the SEC on a comparison against our peer group’s board compensation programs and other compensation-related developments. The prior time Compensia reviewed our Board’s compensation program was in 2015, and we adjusted our Board’s compensation program in 2016. We have not made any changes to the compensation program for our Board since then.January 27, 2022.

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Name

  

Option Awards

($)(1)

   

Total

($)

 

Richard N. Barton

   376,943        376,943(4) 

Rodolphe Belmer

   377,175        377,175(5) 

Mathias Döpfner

   377,201        377,201(6) 

Timothy M. Haley

   376,943        376,943(7) 

Jay C. Hoag

   376,943        376,943(8) 

Leslie Kilgore

   376,943        376,943(9) 

Strive Masiyiwa(2)

   —         

Ann Mather

   376,943        376,943(10) 

Susan E. Rice(3)

   377,017        377,017(11) 

Bradford L. Smith

   376,943        376,943(12) 

Anne M. Sweeney

   376,943        376,943(13) 

 

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 2021 PROXY STATEMENT          25


(1)

Option awards reflect the monthly grant of stock options to each non-employee director on the dates and at the aggregate grant date fair values computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 as shown below. Only options to purchase whole shares are granted with any remaining amount of the grant value carried over to the next monthly grant. The differences in option award values for each of Messrs. Belmer and Döpfner and Ambassador Rice reflect the different carryover amounts relating to the appointment month for each director. For a discussion of the assumptions made in the valuation reflected in the Option Awards column, refer to Note 9 to our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 in our Form 10-K filed with the SEC on January 28, 2021.

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Grant Date

  Fair Value
($)

1/4/2021

31,285  

2/1/2021

31,178  

3/1/2021

31,025  

4/1/2021

29,257  

5/3/2021

29,280  

6/1/2021

29,170  

7/1/2021

27,672  

8/2/2021

27,860  

9/1/2021

27,609  

10/1/2021

28,783  

11/1/2021

28,841  

12/1/2021

28,716  

(2)

Ambassador Susan Rice served on the Board through January 20, 2021.

1/2/2020

29,336  
(3)

Aggregate number of option awards outstanding held by Mr. Barton at December 31, 2021 was 32,765.

(4)

Aggregate number of option awards outstanding held by Mr. Belmer at December 31, 2021 was 5,431.

2/3/2020

29,485  
(5)

Aggregate number of option awards outstanding held by Mr. Döpfner at December 31, 2021 was 6,007.

(6)

Aggregate number of option awards outstanding held by Mr. Haley at December 31, 2021 was 38,715.

3/2/2020

29,407  
(7)

Aggregate number of option awards outstanding held by Mr. Hoag at December 31, 2021 was 13,127.

(8)

Aggregate number of option awards outstanding held by Ms. Kilgore at December 31, 2021 was 12,594.

4/1/2020

31,573  
(9)

Aggregate number of option awards outstanding held by Mr. Masiyia at December 31, 2021 was 1,353.

(10)

Aggregate number of option awards outstanding held by Ms. Mather at December 31, 2021 was 16,946.

5/1/2020

31,800  
(11)

Aggregate number of option awards outstanding held by Ms. Rice at December 31, 2021 was 0.

(12)

Aggregate number of option awards outstanding held by Mr. Smith at December 31, 2021 was 24,761.

6/1/2020

31,752  

7/1/2020

32,038  

8/3/2020

32,381  

9/1/2020

32,127  

10/1/2020

32,261  

11/2/2020

32,618  

12/1/2020

32,166  
(13)

Aggregate number of option awards outstanding held by Ms. Sweeney at December 31, 2021 was 9,594.

 

(2)

Mr. Strive Masiyiwa was appointed to the Board on December 16, 2020 and did not receive a prorated grant of stock options.

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                2022 Proxy Statement

29

(3)

Ambassador Susan Rice served on the Board through January 20, 2021.

(4)

Aggregate number of option awards outstanding held by Mr. Barton at December 31, 2020 was 31,411.

(5)

Aggregate number of option awards outstanding held by Mr. Belmer at December 31, 2020 was 4,078.

(6)

Aggregate number of option awards outstanding held by Mr. Döpfner at December 31, 2020 was 4,654.

(7)

Aggregate number of option awards outstanding held by Mr. Haley at December 31, 2020 was 37,361.

(8)

Aggregate number of option awards outstanding held by Mr. Hoag at December 31, 2020 was 34,162.

(9)

Aggregate number of option awards outstanding held by Ms. Kilgore at December 31, 2020 was 11,240.

(10)

Aggregate number of option awards outstanding held by Ms. Mather at December 31, 2020 was 16,401.

(11)

Aggregate number of option awards outstanding held by Ms. Rice at December 31, 2020 was 4,426.

(12)

Aggregate number of option awards outstanding held by Mr. Smith at December 31, 2020 was 23,407.

(13)

Aggregate number of option awards outstanding held by Ms. Sweeney at December 31, 2020 was 8,240.

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Certain Relationships

and Related Transactions

Certain Relationships and

Related Transactions

AGREEMENTS WITH DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers. These agreements require us to indemnify such individuals, to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, for certain liabilities to which they may become subject as a result of their affiliation with us.

PROCEDURES FOR APPROVAL OF RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

We have a written policy concerning the review and approval of related party transactions. Potential related party transactions are identified through an internal review process that includes a review of payments made in connection with transactions in which related persons may have had a direct or indirect material interest. Those transactions that are determined to be related party transactions under Item 404 of Regulation S-K are submitted for review by the Audit Committee for approval and to conduct a conflicts-of-interest analysis. The individual identified as the “related party” may not participate in any review or analysis of the related party transaction.

 

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  2021 PROXY STATEMENT    

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This management proposal seeks to provide for the phased-in elimination of the classified board of directors structure, which, when it is complete, will result in all directors standing for election annually for a one-year term.

As part of our continuous evaluation of corporate governance practices, our Board regularly reviews our governing documents and considers possible changes. While we believe our current governance structure has served our stockholders extraordinarily well with a sustained period of substantial growth, our Board, having heard our stockholders’ preferences expressed through our engagement with them and assessment of precatory proposals in recent years, has decided that it is in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders at this time to transition to a more standard large-cap governance structure, including by declassifying our Board.

Over the years, we have engaged with many of our stockholders who have indicated support for declassification. Additionally, following the initial announcement of our move toward an updated governance structure, we heard from a number of stockholders who conveyed their positive reactions to the governance changes, including declassification.

Currently, our Charter provides that the Board is divided into three classes, with members of each class serving for staggered three-year terms.

After considering the advantages and disadvantages of the classification of the Board at this time, the Board has approved, and recommends that stockholders approve, amendments to our Charter to eliminate the classified board structure and provide for annual election of directors, to be phased in as follows: (1) at the 2022 Annual Meeting, stockholders would have the opportunity to vote on the proposed Charter amendment that would implement phased-in declassification, with the Board recommending and soliciting in favor of the passage of the Charter amendment; (2) if such Charter amendment is approved this year, then the directors to be elected at the 2023 annual meeting of our stockholders and thereafter will be elected to one-year terms expiring at the next annual meeting; and (3) directors who were elected prior to the 2023 annual meeting would serve out their remaining terms, including the directors standing for election at this 2022 Annual Meeting for full three-year terms expiring at the 2025 annual meeting. As a result, beginning with the election of directors at the 2025 annual meeting, all directors will be elected for one-year terms and the classification of the Board will terminate. In addition, the proposed amendment to the Charter will specify, consistent with Delaware law, that as long as the Board is classified (that is, until the election of directors to be held at the 2025 annual meeting), directors may be removed only for cause.

The proposed Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation is attached to this Proxy Statement as Appendix A, which we would file promptly following the Annual Meeting if our stockholders approve this proposal (subject to revision as described below under “Partial Stockholder Approval of Recommended Charter Amendments” if our stockholders approve only some of the Charter amendment proposals recommended by the Board in this Proxy Statement). Certain conforming changes will be required to be made to our bylaws, contingent upon the effectiveness of the proposed amendment to the Charter. If the Charter amendment is approved, the Board will adopt the conforming changes to the bylaws (which do not require stockholder approval), with such changes as the Board may approve consistent with the amended Charter.

For the reasons discussed above, the Board believes it is in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders at this time to implement this proposal for the phased-in elimination of the classified board of directors structure.

Partial Stockholder Approval of Recommended Charter Amendments

We are submitting, and the Board unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR”, three separate proposals to amend our Charter: Proposal 2 to declassify our Board; Proposal 3 to eliminate supermajority voting provisions; and Proposal 4 to create a new stockholder right to call a special meeting. If all three Board-recommended Charter amendment proposals are approved by our stockholders, all of the changes contained in the proposed Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation attached to this Proxy Statement as Appendix A will be made. However, approval of each Board-recommended Charter amendment

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proposal is not contingent on approval of the others, and if only some, but not all, of the Board-recommended Charter amendment proposals are approved by our stockholders, amendments to our Charter contained in Appendix A will made as follows:

Amendment to Article VI, paragraph A will be made as set forth in Appendix A only if Proposal 2 is approved by our stockholders;

Amendment to Article VII and Article IX will be made as set forth in Appendix A only if Proposal 3 is approved by our stockholders;

Amendment to Article V, paragraph D will be made as set forth in Appendix A only if Proposal 4 is approved by our stockholders;

Amendment to Article VI, paragraph D will be made as set forth in Appendix A only if both Proposal 2 and Proposal 3 are approved by our stockholders. If Proposal 2 is approved by our stockholders but Proposal 3 is not, Article VI, paragraph D will be amended such that removal of directors from the Board may only be for cause until the election of directors at our 2025 annual meeting and thereafter may be made with or without cause, but such removal will continue to require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3 percent (66 2/3%) of the voting power of all of the then outstanding shares of our capital stock then entitled to vote at the election of directors, voting together as a single class. If Proposal 3 is approved by our stockholders but Proposal 2 is not, Article VI, paragraph D will be amended such that the Supermajority Voting Requirement would no longer apply to removal of directors but such removal may only be for cause. If neither Proposal 2 nor Proposal 3 is approved by our stockholders, no amendment to Article VI, paragraph D will be made; and

All other amendments set forth in Appendix A will be made if any of Proposal 2, Proposal 3, or Proposal 4 is approved by our stockholders.

Required Vote

The affirmative vote of the holders of 66 2/3 percent (66 2/3%) of the voting power of the shares of voting stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, is required to approve this proposal pursuant to the Charter.

Netflix Recommendation

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The Board unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” this management Proposal 2 to declassify the board of directors.

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Proposal 2                2022 Proxy Statement

Our Auditors

Ratification of

Appointment of

Independent Registered

Public Accounting Firm

THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY

RECOMMENDS THAT THE

STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE

RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT

OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP AS

THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT

REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING

FIRM FOR THE YEAR ENDING

DECEMBER 31, 2021

 

 

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This management proposal seeks to eliminate all supermajority voting provisions set forth in our Charter.

As part of our continuous evaluation of corporate governance practices, our Board regularly reviews our governing documents and considers possible changes. While the Board recognizes that supermajority voting requirements can promote stability and protect stockholders by requiring broad stockholder support for certain fundamental changes, and notes that we believe our current governance structure has served our stockholders extraordinarily well with a sustained period of substantial growth, the Board, having heard our stockholders’ preferences expressed through their engagement with us and their assessment of precatory proposals in recent years, has decided that it is in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders at this time to recommend that our stockholders adopt amendments to our Charter to eliminate all supermajority voting requirements.

Over the years, we have engaged with many of our stockholders who have indicated support for the elimination of supermajority voting provisions. Additionally, following the initial announcement of our move toward an updated governance structure, we heard from a number of stockholders who conveyed their positive reactions to the governance changes, including the elimination of supermajority voting provisions.

Currently, our Charter provides that certain amendments to our Charter or bylaws require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of the then-outstanding shares of voting stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class (the “Supermajority Voting Requirement”).

Specifically, Article IX of our Charter provides that any amendment or repeal of any of the Charter provisions listed below must be approved pursuant to the Supermajority Voting Requirement:

Authority of the Board and Annual and Special Meeting of Stockholders (Article V)

Election of the Board (Article VI)

Amendment to the Bylaws (Article VII)

Indemnification (Article VIII)

Amendment to the Charter (Article IX)

Article VII of our Charter provides that any amendment or repeal of any of the bylaw provisions listed below must be approved pursuant to the Supermajority Voting Requirement.

Meetings of Stockholders (Bylaws Article II)

Number of Directors (Bylaws Section 3.2)

Election, Qualification and Term of Office of Directors of the Board (Bylaws Section 3.3)

Resignation and Vacancies on the Board (Bylaws Section 3.4)

Removal of Directors (Bylaws Section 3.15)

Indemnity (Bylaws Article VI)

Amendments (Bylaws Article IX)

In addition, Article VI, paragraph D of our Charter provides that removal of any director is subject to, among others, the Supermajority Voting Requirement.

After considering the advantages and disadvantages of the Supermajority Voting Requirement at this time, the Board has approved, and recommends that stockholders approve, amendments to our Charter to remove the Supermajority Voting Requirements contained therein. If the proposed amendments are approved by our stockholders, (i) future amendments to our Charter, including those provisions listed above, will not be subject to the Supermajority Voting Requirement and will instead require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of our outstanding common stock as provided under applicable law, and (ii) stockholders will not be subject to the Supermajority Voting Requirement to remove directors.

 

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The proposed Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation is attached to this Proxy Statement as Appendix A, which we would file promptly following the Annual Meeting if our stockholders approve this proposal (subject to revision as described above under “Proposal 2: Declassification of the Board of Directors—Partial Stockholder Approval of Recommended Charter Amendments” if our stockholders approve only some of the Charter amendment proposals recommended by the Board in this Proxy Statement). Contingent upon the effectiveness of the proposed amendment to the Charter eliminating the Supermajority Voting Requirements, certain conforming changes will be made to our bylaws to eliminate all Supermajority Voting Requirements in the bylaws. If this Charter amendment is approved, the Board will adopt the conforming changes to the bylaws (which do not require stockholder approval), with such changes as the Board may approve consistent with the amended Charter.

For the reasons discussed above, the Board believes it is in the best interests of our stockholders at this time to implement this proposal for the elimination of all of the supermajority voting provisions included in the Charter.

Required Vote

The affirmative vote of the holders of 66 2/3 percent (66 2/3%) of the voting power of the shares of voting stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, is required to approve this proposal pursuant to the Charter.

Netflix Recommendation

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The Board unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” this management Proposal 3 seeking to eliminate all supermajority voting provisions set forth in our Charter.

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This management proposal seeks to provide to common stockholders owning a specified percentage of the Company’s outstanding stock the right to require the Company to call a special meeting of stockholders, in accordance with, and subject to, the provisions that would be set forth in our governing documents.

As part of our continuous evaluation of corporate governance practices, our Board regularly reviews our governing documents and considers possible changes. Currently, our Charter provides that only the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Board may call special meetings of stockholders.

While we believe that our current governance structure has served our stockholders extraordinarily well with a sustained period of substantial growth, our Board, having heard our stockholders’ preferences (including through their engagement with us and their assessment of a past precatory proposal), has decided that it is in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders to permit stockholders holding a sufficiently large economic and voting interest in the Company to require that the Company call a special meeting of its stockholders, subject to specified procedures, provisions and requirements.

The Board recognizes that providing a significant portion of the stockholders of a company the ability to call special meetings is viewed by some stockholders as a useful corporate governance practice. However, the Board also recognizes the need for appropriate parameters given that special meetings of stockholders can be potentially disruptive to business operations and to long-term stockholder interests, can be misused and can cause the Company to incur substantial expenses. Accordingly, the Board believes that the proposed 20% “net-long” threshold for calling special meetings of stockholders, coupled with a 1-year holding period, will help to balance these considerations, ensuring that special meetings can be called by stockholders with a significant and durationally meaningful interest in the Company but are less likely to be disruptive to the Company and its operations and be more likely to address matters that merit the unusual step of convening a meeting in advance of the regularly scheduled annual meeting process.

The Board notes that, according to data it has received surveying the practices of S&P 500 companies, of the approximately 64% of S&P 500 companies that allow stockholders to call special meetings, more than two-thirds have set the threshold at 20% or higher. (FactSet financial data and analytics)

Over the years, we have engaged with many of our stockholders who have indicated support for a stockholder right to call a special meeting. Additionally, following the initial announcement of our move toward an updated governance structure, we heard from a number of stockholders who conveyed their positive reactions to the governance changes, including the provision of shareholder right to call a special meeting.

Accordingly, the Board has approved, and recommends that stockholders approve, amendments to our Charter to provide stockholders holding not less than 20% “net long position” of our outstanding capital stock continuously for at least one year the right to require that the Company call a special meeting of stockholders.

The proposed Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation is attached to this Proxy Statement as Appendix A, which we would file promptly following the Annual Meeting if our stockholders approve this proposal (subject to revision as described above under “Proposal 2: Declassification of the Board of Directors—Partial Stockholder Approval of Recommended Charter Amendments” if our stockholders approve only some of the Charter amendment proposals recommended by the Board in this Proxy Statement). Contingent upon the effectiveness of this proposed amendment to the Charter providing stockholders holding not less than 20% “net long position” of our outstanding capital stock continuously for at least one year the right to require that the Company call a special meeting of stockholders, the Board will effect certain changes to our bylaws to provide appropriate procedures for and limitations on the calling of special meetings of stockholders. For example, matters should be proper subjects for shareholder action, with meaningful disclosure being provided to the Company and to stockholders. In addition, the Board believes that stockholder-requested special meetings should not be held in close proximity to annual meetings or when the matters to be addressed have been recently considered or are planned to be considered an upcoming meeting. If this Charter amendment is approved, the Board will adopt changes to the bylaws (which do not require stockholder

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approval) that will include safeguards and requirements for calling special meetings, including the concepts outlined below and otherwise consistent with the rights provided in the amended Charter.

In particular, among other things, our bylaws would be amended:

To define “net long position” in accordance with the definition of “Ownership” set forth in our “proxy access” bylaw provisions;

To specify the procedures for our stockholders of record to demand that the Board fix a record date to determine the stockholders of record who are entitled to deliver a written request to call a special meeting;

To specify the information required to be set forth in a written request to call a special meeting; and

To specify that the Secretary shall not accept, and shall consider ineffective, a stockholder’s written request to call a special meeting (i) that does not comply with the applicable provisions of our Charter or bylaws, (ii) that relates to an item of business that is not a proper subject for stockholder action, (iii) if such written request is delivered between the time beginning on the 61st day after the earliest date of signature on a written request to call a special meeting that has been delivered to the Secretary relating to an identical or substantially similar item other than the election or removal of directors (a “Similar Item”) and ending on the one-year anniversary of such earliest date, (iv) if a Similar Item will be submitted for stockholder approval at any stockholder meeting to be held on or before the 90th day after the Secretary receives such written request, or (v) if a Similar Item has been presented at any meeting of stockholders held within 180 days prior to receipt by the Secretary of such written request.

For the reasons discussed above, the Board believes it is in the best interests of our stockholders at this time to implement the proposal’s request to provide special meeting rights for our common stockholders.

Required Vote

The affirmative vote of the holders of 66 2/3 percent (66 2/3%) of the voting power of the shares of voting stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, is required to approve this proposal pursuant to the Charter.

Netflix Recommendation

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The Board unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” this management Proposal 4 providing that stockholders holding a not less than 20% net-long position in the Company continuously for at least one year may require the calling of a special meeting of our common stockholders.

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                2022 Proxy Statement

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The Audit Committee of the Board has selected Ernst & Young LLP (“Ernst & Young”), an independent registered public accounting firm, to audit the financial statements of the Company for the year ending December 31, 2021.2022. We are submitting its selection of Ernst & Young for ratification by the stockholders at the Annual Meeting. A representative of Ernst & Young is expected to be present at the Annual Meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement and is expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions. Ernst & Young has served as our independent registered public accounting firm since March 21, 2012. Neither applicable law nor our bylaws require that stockholders ratify the selection of Ernst & Young as our independent registered public accounting firm. However, we are submitting the selection of Ernst & Young to stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. If stockholders do not ratify the selection, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether to retain Ernst & Young. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee, at its discretion, may change the appointment at any time during the year if they determine that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICESPrincipal Accountant Fees and Services

During 20202021 and 2019,2020, fees for services provided by Ernst & Young was as follows (in thousands):

 

  2020   2019   2021   2020 

Audit Fees

  $5,351  $4,936  $5,800   $5,351 

Audit-Related Fees

   70       220    70 

Tax Fees

   2,096   2,927   1,938    2,096 

Total

  $7,517  $7,863  $7,958   $7,517 

Audit Fees include amounts related to the audit of our annual financial statements and internal control over financial reporting, and quarterly review of the financial statements included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Audit fees also include amounts related to accounting consultations and services rendered in connection with the Company’s issuance of senior notes in 2020, and 2019, respectively, as well as fees for statutory audit filings.

Audit-Related Fees include fees related to assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements, including attestation services that are not required by statute or regulation.

Tax Fees include fees billed for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning services.

There were no other fees billed by Ernst & Young for services rendered to us, other than the services described above, in 20202021 and 2019.2020.

The Audit Committee has determined that the rendering of non-audit services by Ernst & Young was compatible with maintaining their independence.

POLICY ON AUDIT COMMITTEEPolicy on Audit Committee PRE-APPROVALPre-Approval OF AUDIT AND PERMISSIBLEof Audit and Permissible NON-AUDITNon-Audit SERVICES OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRMServices of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Audit Committee pre-approves all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm. These services may include audit services, audit-related services, tax and other services. Pre-approval is generally provided for up to one year, and any pre-approval is detailed as to the particular service or category of services. The independent registered public accounting firm and management are required to periodically report to the Audit Committee regarding the extent of services provided by the independent registered

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public accounting firm in accordance with this pre-approval, and the fees for the services performed to date. The Audit Committee may also pre-approve particular services on a case-by-case basis. During 2020,2021, services provided by Ernst & Young were pre-approved by the Audit Committee in accordance with this policy.

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2022 Proxy Statement

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Required Vote

The affirmative vote of the majority of the Votes Cast is required for ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2021.2022. The vote is an advisory vote, and therefore not binding.

Netflix Recommendation

 

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The Board unanimously recommends that the stockholders vote “FOR” the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2021.2022.

 

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Report of the Audit Committee

Committee of the Board

The Audit Committee engages and supervises the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm and oversees the Company’s financial reporting process on behalf of the Board. Management has the primary responsibility for the preparation of financial statements and the reporting process, including the systems of internal controls. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20202021 with management, including a discussion of the quality of the accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments made by management and the clarity of disclosures in the financial statements.

The Audit Committee reviewed with Ernst & Young LLP (“Ernst��Ernst & Young”), the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, who is responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of the Company’s audited financial statements with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, its judgments as to the quality of the Company’s accounting principles and the other matters required to be discussed with the Audit Committee under the auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, including the matters required by Auditing Standard No. 1301, Communications with Audit Committees, issued by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”). In addition, the Audit Committee has discussed with Ernst & Young its independence from management and the Company, including the written disclosures and the letter regarding its independence as required by PCAOB Rule 3526, Communication with Audit Committees Concerning Independence.

The Audit Committee also reviewed the fees paid to Ernst & Young during the year ended December 31, 20202021 for audit and non-audit services, which fees are described under the heading “Principal Accountant Fees and Services.” The Audit Committee has determined that the rendering of all non-audit services by Ernst & Young were compatible with maintaining its independence.

The Audit Committee discussed with Ernst & Young the overall scope and plans for its audit. The Audit Committee met with Ernst & Young, with and without management present, to discuss the results of its examinations, its evaluations of the Company’s internal controls, and the overall quality of the Company’s financial reporting.

Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements be included in the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020,2021, for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Audit Committee of the Board

Richard N. Barton

Leslie Kilgore

Ann Mather

 

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Our Company Executive Officers


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OUR COMPANY                     

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS                     

 


Our executive officers as of April 23, 20218, 2022 are as follows:

 

Executive Officers

  AgePosition

Sergio Ezama

  Position50Chief Talent Officer

Reed Hastings

  6061  Co-Chief Executive Officer, President, and ChairmanChairperson of the Board

David Hyman

  5556  Chief Legal Officer and Secretary

Jessica Neal(1)Marian Lee

  4443  Chief TalentMarketing Officer

Spencer Neumann

  5152  Chief Financial Officer

Greg Peters

  5051  Chief Operating Officer and Chief Product Officer

Bozoma Saint John

44Chief Marketing Officer

Ted Sarandos

  5657  Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Content Officer

Rachel Whetstone

  5354  Chief Communications Officer

For more information about Messrs. Hastings and Sarandos, see “Proposal One:1: Our Board of Directors—Election of Directors—Who We Are.” Information about our other executive officers is set forth below:

 

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Sergio Ezama

CHIEF TALENT OFFICER

    

DAVID HYMAN

AGE: 50

About:

Sergio was named Netflix Chief Talent Officer in September 2021 and leads the team that maintains the Company’s unique corporate culture, hires new talent and keeps the organization lean and flexible despite enormous growth.

 

Also...

Sergio was previously Global Chief Talent Officer at PepsiCo in addition to serving as Chief Human Resources Officer for global functions and groups. In this role, he led the company’s efforts across all talent-related areas in more than 200 countries. Sergio joined PepsiCo in 2001, serving in a variety of talent leadership roles at PepsiCo headquarters in the U.S., and across Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. Sergio holds a BS in Law and master’s in Juridical Practice, and Human Resources Management from University of Deusto. He also holds a master’s in Health and Safety Management from Instituto Europeo de Salud y Bienestar Social. He is a graduate of Harvard Business School’s General Management Program.

Career Snapshot:

•  Chief Talent Officer of Netflix (since 2021)

Prior:

•  Chief Talent Officer PepsiCo and CHRO Global Groups and Functions (2018-2021)

•  SVP and CHRO, PepsiCo Europe, Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa, among other positions at PepsiCo, a multinational food, snack, and beverage corporation (2001-2018)

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David Hyman

CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER

 

AGE:55 56

About:

As Chief Legal Officer, David is responsible for all legal and public policy matters for the Company. He also serves as the Company’s Secretary.

 

Also...

David practiced law at Morrison & Foerster in San Francisco and Arent Fox in Washington, DC. He earned his JD and Bachelor’s degrees from the University of Virginia.

 

Career Snapshot:

•  Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Netflix (since 2002)

•  Director of Shelby Lane Acquisition Corp. (since 2021)

 

Prior:

•  General Counsel of Webvan, an online internet retailer

 

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Marian Lee

CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER

    

JESSICA NEAL

CHIEF TALENT OFFICER

 

AGE:44 43

About:

Jessica leadsMarian was named Chief Marketing Officer in March 2022 after joining Netflix the team that maintainsyear prior in the Company’s unique corporate culture, hires new talent and keeps the organization lean and flexible despite enormous growth.role of Vice President of UCAN Marketing.

 

Also...

Jessica is a Netflix veteran, startingPreviously enjoyed an eight-year tenure at the company in 2006 when DVD was king and streaming just a dream, and has been heavily involved in improving the Netflix culture as the company grew. After roles at Coursera and Scopley,Spotify, where she rejoined the Netflix team in her current role. Jessica joined the JFrog board in 2020 and served as Vice President & Co-Head of Music; Vice President, Global Head of Artist & Label Services; and held various other positions leading the Global Consumer Marketing & Artist & Creator Marketing teams.

Marian has also worked at some of the world’s leading brands in fashion and entertainment, including Condé Nast/VOGUE and J.Crew. She began her career at PricewaterhouseCoopers as a board member formanagement consultant in the Association of Talent DevelopmentRetail & Consumer Products division. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Marian holds a B.A. in Psychology from 2016 to 2019.Barnard College, Columbia University.

 

Career Snapshot:

•  Chief TalentMarketing Officer atof Netflix (since 2017)March 2022)

 

Prior:

•  Chief People OfficerVice President & Co-Head of Music at Scopely, a leading player in the mobile gaming industry (2015-2017)Spotify

•  Vice President, Global Head of Human ResourcesArtist & Label Services at Coursera, which provides online access to the world’s best university coursesSpotify

(1)

Ms. Neal will be departing from the Company in May 2021.

 

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SPENCER NEUMANNSpencer Neumann

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

 

AGE:51 52

About:

Spencer was named CFO of Netflix in January of 2019, utilizing his finance, strategy, and accounting experience in media, entertainment and service oriented companies to continue to build on the company’s track record of success and innovation.

 

Also...

Spencer also worked at the private equity firms of Providence Equity Partners and Summit Partners. Additional positions at The Walt Disney Company, which he initially joined in 1992, included executive vice president of the ABC Televisions Network and CFO of the Walt Disney Internet Group. He is a member of the national board of directors of Make-A-Wish America. Spencer holds both a B.A. in economics and an M.B.A. from Harvard University.

 

Career Snapshot:

•  CFO of Netflix (since 2019)

•  Director of Adobe, Inc. (since 2021)

 

Prior:

•  CFO of Activision Blizzard, a video gaming company (2017-2019)

•  CFO and executive vice president of Global Guest Experience of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, among other positions at the Walt Disney Company, a diversified multinational media and entertainment company (2012-2017)

 

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GREG PETERSGreg Peters

 

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER AND CHIEF PRODUCT OFFICER

 

AGE:50 51

About:

As Chief Operating Officer and Chief Product Officer, Greg oversees global operations and leads the product team, which designs, builds and optimizes the Netflix experience including applications and user interfaces.

 

Also...

Greg previously held positions at digital entertainment software provider, Mediabolic Inc., Red Hat Network, the provider of Linux and Open Source technology, and online vendor Wine.com. He holds a degree in physics and astronomy from Yale University. Greg joined the board of 2U, Inc., a global leader in education technology, in March of 2018.

 

Career Snapshot:

•  Chief Operating Officer (since July 2020) and Chief Product Officer of Netflix (since 2017)

•  Director of DoorDash Inc. (since 2022)

•  Director of 2U, Inc. (since 2018)

 

Prior:

•  International Development Officer of Netflix (2015-2017)

•  Chief Streaming and Partnerships Officer of Netflix

•  Senior Vice President of consumer electronics products for Macrovision Solutions Corp. (later renamed Rovi Corporation), a technology company

 

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2021 PROXY STATEMENT          35


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BOZOMA SAINT JOHNLOGO

CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER

AGE: 44

About:

Bozoma was appointed Chief Marketing Officer in August 2020.

Also...

Bozoma has been recognized for her breakthrough work by both the industry and her peers, having been inducted into the American Advertising Federation Hall of Achievement in 2014. Additionally, Bozoma serves on the boards of Girls Who Code and Vital Voices and in March 2017, she was named as a Henry Crown Fellow by the Aspen Institute. She holds a BA in English and African American Studies from Wesleyan University.

Career Snapshot:

•  Chief Marketing Officer of Netflix (since August 2020)

Prior:

•  Chief Marketing Officer of Endeavor, a talent and media agency (2018-2020)

•  Chief Brand Officer at Uber, a multinational ride-sharing company (2017-2018)

•  Head of Global Consumer Marketing, Apple Music & iTunes (2014-2017)

    

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RACHEL WHETSTONE2022 Proxy Statement

 

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Rachel Whetstone

CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

 

AGE: 53 54

About:

Rachel leads our public relations globally.

 

Also...

Rachel has spent the last 20 years working on communications and policy issues for US companies. She also serves as a director of Udacity. Rachel is a graduate of Bristol University and spent the first half of her career working as a policy advisor for the UK Conservative Party.

 

Career Snapshot:

•  Chief Communications Officer at Netflix (since 2018)

 

Prior:

•  Vice President of Communications at Facebook, a social media and technology company (2017-2018)

•  Senior Vice President of Communications & Public Policy at Uber, a multinational ride-sharing company (2015-2017)

•  Senior Vice President of Communications & Public Policy at Google, an internet-related services and products company (2005-2015)

There are no family relationships among any of our directors, nominees for director and executive officers.

 

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Proposal 3

 

Our Pay

Advisory Approval

of Executive Officer

Compensation  48

 

THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY

RECOMMENDS THAT THE

STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” APPROVAL

OF OUR EXECUTIVE OFFICER

COMPENSATION DISCLOSED IN

THIS PROXY STATEMENT.

  

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As required by section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), we are providing our stockholders with the opportunity to cast a non-binding advisory vote on the compensation of our Named Executive Officers, as disclosed pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC (also referred to as “say-on-pay”).

We currently hold our advisory say-on-pay vote every year. Stockholders will have an opportunity to cast an advisory vote on the frequency of say-on-pay votes at least every six years. We currently expect that the next advisory vote on the frequency of the say-on-pay votes will occur at the 2023 annual meeting of stockholders.

As described in our Compensation Discussion and Analysis, we have adopted an executive compensation philosophy designed to attract and retain outstanding performers. Our compensation practices are guided by market rates and tailored to account for the specific needs and responsibilities of the particular position, as well as the performance and unique qualifications of the individual employee, rather than by seniority or overall Company performance.

Required Vote

The affirmative vote of the majority of the Votes Cast is required to approve the compensation of our Named Executive Officers disclosed in this Proxy Statement. The vote is an advisory vote, and therefore not binding.

Netflix Recommendation

 

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The Board unanimously recommends that the stockholders vote “FOR” approval of our executive officer compensation disclosed in this Proxy Statement.

 

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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION

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A MESSAGE FROM THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE CHAIRMessage from the Compensation Committee Chair

2020 presented unprecedented challenges, with effects of the COVID-19 pandemic felt around the world by nearly every business. OurThroughout 2021, our executive officers demonstrated strong leadership in navigating the pandemic, acting quickly to implement measures to care for the health and safety ofexecuting our employees, to continuelong-term strategy, providing great content for our members, and to promotepromoting the financial strength of our companyCompany for our stockholders.shareholders, while also continuing to navigate the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In light of the pandemic, the Compensation Committee held executive compensation flat for 2021 given the economic shock and uncertain impact that the pandemic presented.

In response to stockholder feedback, we aimed to more clearly explain our compensation program in our compensation disclosures last year and updated our insider trading policy to prohibit certain hedging and pledging transactions. The Netflix Board, alongside management, continued to actively engage with stockholders throughout 2020 to ensure2021. In November, we are addressing relevantheld a virtual ESG Investor Day with a number of our shareholders. Members of the Board and management participated, including our Co-CEOs, as well as those responsible for sustainability, diversity and inclusion, finance, content, communications and public policy. We engaged with our shareholders in an honest and open manner, and were presented with many thoughtful questions and concerns, to seek input, and to provide perspectiveviewpoints on our policies and practices. We discussed a broad spectrumvariety of topics includingcovering environmental, social and governance matters; diversity, equity and inclusion; and our executive compensation program.matters, as well as the core business itself. We have heard from a numberdiscussed this feedback with the full Board, where it formed part of the discussion around how we can best serve the long-term interests of our stockholders thatshareholders, and factored into our decision to evolve our governance structure, as described elsewhere in this Proxy Statement.

On compensation matters, the enhanced disclosures and information have been helpful to stockholders and resulted in a better understanding of our compensation program.

The Board and Compensation Committee considered the input from our stockholders andshareholders, the results of our annual Say-on-Pay vote and our engagement with shareholders, including at our ESG Investor Day, to determine why our Say-on-Pay vote has dipped in recent years. While some shareholders have raised concerns with our program, such as with the overall level of compensation and the ability of executives to choose between cash and stock options (a feature that has been part of the program for well over a decade), other shareholders have strongly supported the program’s design and appreciate its alignment with their interests. Given these divergent perspectives, the Compensation Committee will continue to consider whether changes to the program are appropriate, but for the present it is preserving the program’s general design. We continue to strongly believe that our current compensation program’s design is a significant contributor to Netflix’s success, including our ability to attract and is highly aligned with stockholderretain talent and to align executive and shareholder interests. Therefore, we are not making material changes to the executive compensation program for 2021. The Compensation Committee will continue to explore ways that we can implement changes to the program desired by some stockholders while preserving the program’s general design

We appreciate your trust in and valuecommitment to Netflix, and our stockholders. We will also continue to provide transparent disclosures about our compensation program and to solicit input from our stockholders.

Thankthank you for being a stockholder and joining us on this journey to change the way people are entertained. We appreciate your commitment to Netflix and we will continue to endeavor to make your commitment worthwhile.shareholder.

Tim Haley

Compensation Committee Chairperson

OUR COMPANY AND 2020 PERFORMANCEOur Company and 2021 Performance

Netflix is one of the world’s leading entertainment services with approximately 208222 million paid memberships in over 190 countries. We launched our streaming service in 2007, and have since added an increasing amountsvariety of content that enableenables consumers to enjoy entertainment directly on their internet-connected screens. Our content is increasingly exclusive and curated and includes our own original programming. In 2021, we added mobile games to our service.

We believe that Netflix remains a growth venture, even though we have been a public company for nearly 20 years. We added a record 3718 million paid memberships in 2020, representing an increase of 31% over the prior year2021 and achieved approximately $25$30 billion in revenue, representing 24%19% year-over-year growth. Our profitability also improved, with operating income rising 76% year over year35% year-over-year while operating margins increased from 13%18% to 18%21%. We manage our business for the long term with a focus on stockholder value creation. Consistent with this approach, our annualized total stockholder return since our initial public offering in 2002 through December 31, 2020 was 40%.

In 2020,2021, we continued to invest heavily in content to great success. As noted in our investor letters, some of our big hits included new series like Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and MadnessSquid Game, The Queen’s GambitMaid and Lupin, and Bridgerton. Season four of the critically acclaimedreturning shows such as The CrownWitcher was its biggest season so far and new seasons of, OzarkYou and, La Casa de Papel (aka, (aka Money Heist) continued to entertainHeist), and Sex Education. We took a big step forward with our members. Originaloriginal films premieredslate delivering a wide variety of successes such asquality movies, including big hits like The Old Guard, Extraction,Red Notice and The Midnight SkyDon’t Look Up. We continued to expand our local language

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content, which was not only impactful in the home country but was enjoyed around the globe. As a testament to the quality of our programming, our titles were nominated for 160129 Emmys and won 44 - matching the record for most in a single year set by CBS in 1974. We were nominated for an industry-leading 3627 Academy Award nominations within the last year.year and won Best Director. We’re also proud to lead the industry in nominations at both the 20212022 NAACP Image Awards (53(51 nominations), and we received 24

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nominations from the GLAAD MediaBritish Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) for the 2022 Film Awards, (26 nominations).winning Best Picture, Best Director, and Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer. We are also producing content from countries all over the world as we believe great stories can come from anywhere and can be enjoyed everywhere.

STOCKHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND THE 2020Stockholder Engagement and the 2021 SAY-ON-PAYSay-on-Pay VOTE RESULTVote Result

In 2020, 61.5%2021, 50.6% of voted shares approved the compensation of our Named Executive Officers. At the time of the vote in 2020,2021, the Compensation Committee had already approved the design of our 20202021 executive compensation program. The Compensation Committee reviewed these voting results, and in response, members of the Compensation Committee and management engaged with stockholders to solicit feedback regarding our compensation program.

In the fall of 2020,November 2021, we invited stockholders representing approximately 47% of our shares outstanding to engage with us on a variety of issues, specifically including executive compensation. We held 10 virtual meetings in the fall of 2020an ESG Investor Day and met with stockholders representing approximately 25%40% of our common stock outstanding, including stockholdersshareholders that did not support our 20202021 Say-on-Pay vote. Investors heard from our Sustainability Officer, Emma Stewart, Ph.D., on our sustainability efforts, as well as our VP of Inclusion Strategy, Vernā Myers, on our approach to diversity and inclusion. Members of management, including our Co-CEOs, provided an overview of the business, and members of our Board accompanied byengaged in a meaningful and candid discussion with investors on a wide range of issues, including the Company’s corporate governance structure and executive compensation. Company representatives as appropriate, participated in each of these conversations. We also held numerous engagement meetings earlier in 2020,2021, prior to our 20202021 annual meeting.

In addition to compensation matters, the discussions also focused on our approach to environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters; diversity, equity and inclusion; our response to the COVID-19 pandemic; and our dual CEO management structure. These meetings reconfirmed that ESG and diversity, equity and inclusion matters were increasingly top of mind for our investors. Investors expressed a desire to see improved disclosure on environmental and social matters, which the recent hire of our Sustainability Officer is intended to help address. We have also recently increased our disclosure about these topics partly in response to investor feedback by publishing an Inclusion Report in January 2021 along with our EEO-1 data and ESG reports. This and other ESG information is available on our Investor Relations website at ir.netflix.net.

While investors inquired about our dual CEO model and how it works for Netflix, none expressed that it was inappropriate for us. We explained that the dual CEO model formalized the prior working relationship between Reed and Ted and was an effective leadership model to further support our continued growth and international expansion. Stockholders gave us high marks for our response to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as our focus on employee well-being and our efforts to support the creative industry through our establishment of hardship funds. Regarding governance, investors understood our rationale for our governance structure, even if they disagreed with it.

The feedback Feedback on our compensation program was limited, with many investors understandingvaried amongst our shareholders. Certain stockholders acknowledged and supportive of our approach to compensation. While we did not hear thematic concerns about our compensation program during our meetings, one stockholder questioned some componentssupported the unique nature of our compensation program including thewhile others identified concerns regarding compensation levels, executives’ ability of our executives to allocate their compensationchoose between cash and stock options.    options, use of options without certain vesting criteria and the lack of stock ownership guidelines, among other concerns.

Our Compensation Committee considered stockholder feedback in its deliberations regarding 20212022 compensation and continues to believe our compensation philosophy and structure align with stockholder interests and best incentivize the executive officers to execute on strategies aimed at achieving long-term success. The Compensation Committee will continue to consider feedback in ongoing executive compensation decisions.

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2021 PROXY STATEMENT          41


2020 NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS2021 Named Executive Officers

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis describes the compensation program for our Named Executive Officers. During 2020,2021, these individuals were:

 

Reed Hastings, Co-Chief Executive Officer, President, and ChairmanChairperson of the Board

 

Ted Sarandos, Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Content Officer(1)

Ted Sarandos, Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Content Officer

 

Spencer Neumann, Chief Financial Officer

 

Greg Peters, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Product Officer(1)

Greg Peters, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Product Officer

 

David Hyman, Chief Legal Officer

 

Rachel Whetstone, Chief Communications Officer

We have had a Co-Chief Executive Officer structure since 2020, when Ted Sarandos was named Co-Chief Executive Officer along with Reed Hastings. This change mostly formalized the prior working relationship between Ted and Reed, who have had a long history of collaboration on corporate strategy, planning and all aspects of company management. We believe the Co-CEO structure provides broad expertise and deep leadership at the highest level of the Company, and provides an efficient and effective leadership model to support our future growth.

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COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHYCompensation Philosophy

We aim to provide highly competitive compensation packages for all our key positions, including our Named Executive Officers. OurWe operate in a highly dynamic industry where the market for talent is extremely competitive. We rely on our Named Executive Officers to execute on the Company’s strategies and initiatives for long-term success. To attract and retain top talent, we believe we must provide highly competitive compensation packages. As such, our compensation practices are also tailored to account for the specific needs and responsibilities of the particular position, as well as the performance and unique qualifications of the individual employee, rather than by seniority or overall Company performance. Individual compensation is nonetheless linked to Company performance by virtue of the stock options we grant.

The Compensation Committee aims for the compensation program to be simple to understand and administer, to be transparent to both stockholders and executive officers, and to create a long-term alignment between our stockholders and our executive officers.

Our compensation practices are evaluated by the Compensation Committee on an ongoing basis to determine whether they are appropriate to attract, retain and reward outstanding performers. Such evaluations may result in refinements to the compensation program, including changes in how compensation is determined and awarded.

COMPENSATION PROGRAM OVERVIEWCompensation Program Overview

Our long-term success depends on our continued ability to innovate and create opportunities for our members to engage. We push forward the boundaries of our industry and do not believe success can be measured by any specific isolated performance metric. A combination of long-term financial, strategic and operational achievements has to occur for our stock price to appreciate meaningfully to deliver value to our executives. The current program design incentivizes the spirit of creativity and innovative achievements that are at the foundation of our long-term success.

The key elements of our compensation program applicable to the majority of our employees, including our Named Executive Officers, and how they align with our compensation philosophy are as follows:

 

 

Only two pay components, salary and stock options. Our compensation program consists of only base salary and stock options. It is the same program for our executive officers as it is for the majority of our employees. We use stock options as we believe that they correlate compensation with stockholder returns, and encourage a long-term perspective, especially given how we’ve designed the stock option allocation portion of our program in which employees can allocate cash compensation toward stock options. Importantly, as described below, our stock price needs to appreciate 40% before the employee is better off allocating cash to stock options. We do not use performance-based bonuses as we believe that they tend to incentivize specific, typically short-term focused behavior rather than encourage long-term stockholder value creation.

Prior to 2021, we granted eligible employees, including executive officers, a minimum annual stock option allowance (generally based on 5% of their total allocatable compensation). Beginning in 2021, in an effort to maximize flexibility and personal choice for our employees, the minimum option grants were eliminated for most employees and the value was added to the employee’s total allocatable compensation.

 

Personal Choice. We set a dollar-denominated annual compensation amount for each eligible employee (“allocatable compensation”) who can then choose to allocate any portion of that compensation amount toward stock options. We believe that providing choice and flexibility helps us better compete for talent as the individual employee can customize their compensation to fit varying lifestyle needs. This approach is also consistent with our company culture of freedom and responsibility.

 

(1)

Effective July 14, 2020, Mr. Sarandos was appointed as Co-Chief Executive Officer, in addition to his role as Chief Content Officer, and Mr. Peters was appointed as Chief Operating Officer, in addition to his role as Chief Product Officer. Mr. Sarandos was also appointed to the Board as a Class III director effective July 14, 2020. Neither Mr. Sarandos nor Mr. Peters received an increase in compensation in connection with these appointments.

 

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stock options. We believe that providing choice and flexibility helps us better compete for talent as the individual employee can customize their compensation to fit varying lifestyle needs.

 

Monthly Grants. We grant stock options on the first trading day of each month with the number of options granted based on the closing stock price on that trading day (see formula below). We believe granting options monthly produces a dollar cost averaging effect—unlike annual grants which are more subject to the vagaries of the market—which helps reduce the potential negative impacts with employee distraction and morale.

 

Minimum stock option grants. Through 2020, in addition to the choice described above, each eligible employee, including executive officers, was awarded a minimum annual stock option allowance (generally based upon 5% of their total allocatable compensation). Beginning in 2021, in an effort to maximize flexibility and personal choice for our employees, the minimum option grants have been eliminated for most employees and the value has been added to the employee’s total allocatable compensation.

Objective and Transparent Stock Option Grant Formula. The number of monthly stock options granted is determined by the following formula:

 

(the amount of an employee’s total

annual stock option allocation/12)

(the closing trading price of a share

of our stock on the grant date x 0.40)

For example:

If our stock price is $500$375 on the date of grant and the recipient allocated $2,000$1,500 per month of their allocatable compensation to stock options, the recipient would receive 10 stock options with an exercise price of $500.$375.

 

$2000

 =   

2000

 = 

10 options with an

exercise price of $500.

$500*0.40 200
$1500 =       1500       = 10 options with an
$375*0.40 150 exercise price of $375.

The stock price would need to rise to $700$525 (40% appreciation from $500)$375) for the recipient to earn back the $2,000$1,500 of cash they traded for the options:

$700 525 - $500 $375 = $200$150 x 10 shares = $2,000$1,500

Anything below a 40% appreciation in the stock means that the employee would have been better off electing cash. We believe that this structure and the corresponding trade-off of current cash compensation for longer-term appreciation potential significantly aligns our employee interest with that of our stockholders.

In 2020,2021, each Named Executive Officer elected to allocate a portion of their cashannual compensation to our stock option program. Reed Hastings, our Co-Chief Executive Officer allocated 98% of his cashannual compensation toward our stock option program, Ted Sarandos, our Co-Chief Executive Officer allocated 39%42% of his cashannual compensation toward our stock option program, and the average election across our Named Executive Officers was 43%47%.

 

Vested 10-year Stock Options. We grant fully vested 10-year stock options, which means that employees have 10 years from the date of grant to exercise their options. We believe a 10-year option life is important to encourage participation in the equity portion of our compensation program and reinforce a long-term focus. As the options must increase by 40% from the date of grant before they break even with the traded cash, as a practical matter, it takes time before it is worthwhile for an employee to exercise their vested options. We do not believe that vesting over a certain period of time and forced exercise upon termination creates a healthy environment or secures a high-performing workforce. We want our employees to stay at Netflix because they are passionate about their roles and want to help Netflix be successful in the long run, rather than merely waiting for their options to vest.

Dilution, Burn Rate and Equity Overhang

The Compensation Committee, with the assistance of its compensation consultant, Compensia, Inc. (“Compensia”), reviews the Company’s compensation program annually, including the stock option program to ensure that we balance our employee compensation objectives with our stockholders’ interests. The Compensation Committee regularly reviews the proportion of our total shares outstanding used annually for the stock option program (our “burn rate”), the potential voting power dilution to our stockholders (our “equity overhang”), and the average value of the stock options granted to employees, each in relation to the companies in our compensation peer group. The following table provides detailed information regarding our burn rate and equity overhang for 2019, 2020 and 2021.

 

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  2019   2020   2021 

Gross Burn Rate(1)

   0.59   0.43   0.35

Net Burn Rate(2)

   0.59   0.43   0.35

Equity Overhang(3)

   4.75   4.22   3.96

(1)

passionate about their roles and want to help Netflix be successfulGross Burn Rate equals (x) the number of options we granted in each year divided by (y) our weighted average common shares outstanding for that year.

(2)

Net Burn Rate equals (x) the long run, rather than merely waitingnumber of options we granted minus options canceled in each year divided by (y) our weighted average common shares outstanding for theirthat year.

(3)

Equity Overhang equals (x) the total number of our unexercised options to vest.outstanding at each year end divided by (y) our total common shares outstanding at each year end.

Our burn rate was significantly lower than industry thresholds established by certain major proxy advisory firms, and has historically been well below the median burn rate of our compensation peer group, including in 2019 and 2020. We have yet to analyze the 2021 burn rate of our peers.

DETERMINING EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION MAGNITUDEDetermining Executive Compensation Magnitude

We aim to pay all employees at the top of their personal market. We believe this helps us attract and retain the most talented employees from around the globe. To establish the top of personal market for each of our Named Executive Officers, the Compensation Committee (A) reviews and considers the performance of each Named Executive Officer and (B) considers, for each Named Executive Officer, the estimated amount of compensation:

 

i.

we would be willing to pay to retain that person;

 

ii.

we would have to pay to replace the person; and

 

iii.

the individual could otherwise command in the employment marketplace.

Role of executive officers

Each of our Co-Chief Executive Officers, in consultation with our Chief Talent Officer, reviews comparative data derived from publicly available market compensation information for each of the other Named Executive Officers. The Co-Chief Executive Officers then make a recommendation to the Compensation Committee regarding compensation for eachthe other Named Executive Officer.Officers. The Compensation Committee reviews and discusses this information and the recommendation by the Co-Chief Executive Officers, and then determines a dollar-denominated amount available for allocation to salary and stock options for each such Named Executive Officer, as it deems appropriate. The Compensation Committee also approves the stock option allocation amount for each Named Executive Officer.

Our Co-Chief Executive Officers’ compensation is determined by the Compensation Committee outside the presence of the Co-Chief Executive Officers. The Compensation Committee’s decision regarding compensation for the Co-Chief Executive Officers is based on the philosophy described above. It includes a review of comparative data, including the compensation paid by the companies in our compensation peer group to their chief executive officers and consideration of the accomplishments of the Co-Chief Executive Officers in developing the business strategy for the Company, the Company’s performance against this strategy, and the Co-Chief Executive Officers’ ability to attract and retain senior management. In establishing each Co-Chief Executive Officer’s compensation, the Compensation Committee is also mindful of the results of the Say-on-Pay vote for the prior year.

Compensation for any given year is generally established at the end of the prior year. The 20202021 compensation for our Named Executive Officers was determined at the end of 2019, and therefore, only Mr. Hastings, the sole Chief Executive Officer at the time, participated in the 2020 compensation determinations of the other Named Executive Officers as described above.2020.

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Role of the compensation consultant

In determining compensation for 2020,2021, the Compensation Committee retained Compensia, Inc. (“Compensia”) a national compensation consulting firm, to advise on executive and director compensation matters. Compensia provided various services to the Compensation Committee, including the review, analysis and update of our compensation peer group; the review and analysis of our Named Executive Officer compensation against competitive market data based on the companies in our compensation peer group; the review and analysis of our non-employee director compensation; advice on our equity plans and support on other ad hoc matters.

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Peer group and benchmarking

The Compensation Committee works with Compensia in determining an appropriate peer group of companies each year. In changes from 2019, Microsoft2020, eBay, Intuit and Lions Gate EntertainmentVMWare were removed for size (too largesmall). AT&T, Mastercard, Tesla, Verizon and too small, respectively) and Facebook wasVisa were added consistent with Netflix’s continued growth, to better align Netflix with the median revenue and market capitalization of the peer group, and to continue to prioritize media & entertainment and consumer-facingsoftware & services companies. Twenty-first Century Fox was removed due to its acquisition by Walt Disney.CBS and Viacom were each peers in 2019; we retained ViacomCBS (now named Paramount Global) as a peer following their merger. The compensation peer group for 20202021 was composed of the following companies:

20202021 Netflix Peer Group

 

  

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

  FacebookMeta Platforms, Inc.

Adobe, SystemsInc.

  IntuitOracle Corporation

AT&T Inc.

PayPal Holdings, Inc.

Booking Holdings Inc.

  Oracle

CBS

PayPal Holdingssalesforce.com, inc.

Charter Communications, Inc.

  salesforce.comSirius XM Holdings, Inc.

Comcast Corporation

  Sirius XM HoldingsTesla, Inc.

Discovery, CommunicationsInc.

  ViacomThe Walt Disney Company

DISH Network Corporation

  VMWare

eBay

Walt DisneyVerizon Communications Inc.

Electronic Arts Inc.

  ViacomCBS Inc.(1)

Mastercard Incorporated

Visa Inc.

(1)

ViacomCBS changed its name to Paramount Global in February 2022.

With respect to each of our Named Executive Officers, in determining compensation, the Compensation Committee considered our compensation philosophy as described above, comparative market data and specific factors relative to each Named Executive Officer’s responsibilities and performance. We do not specifically benchmark compensation for our Named Executive Officers in terms of picking a particular percentile relative to other individuals with similar titles at peer group companies. The Compensation Committee believes that many subjective factors unique to each Named Executive Officer’s responsibilities and performance are not adequately reflected or otherwise accounted for in a percentile-based compensation determination.

ELEMENTS OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATIONElements of Executive Compensation

We use only salary and stock options, augmented by very limited perquisites, to compensate our Named Executive Officers. Across the broader employee base, we also use salary and stock options as our key compensation components to remain competitive within the marketplace. Similarly situated companies typically offer employees an equity component as part of their overall compensation package and as such, we believe it is important to provide this opportunity to our employees,

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including our Named Executive Officers. By permitting employees to request a customized combination of salary and stock options, we endeavor to tailor individuals’ compensation to their personal compensation preferences and thereby offer a more compelling compensation package.

Cash Compensation

As described above, our compensation program offers our Named Executive Officers the opportunity to select the proportion of cash and equity compensation they receive each year. While our Named Executive Officers generally have elected to receive a significant portion of their compensation in equity, the remaining compensation is paid in cash in the form of salary.

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Stock Options

We believe that equity ownership, including stock and stock options, helps align the interest of our Named Executive Officers with those of our stockholders and links executive compensation to long-term company performance.

Furthermore, because the stock options are granted at the fair market value of our common stock on the date of the option grant and are not generally transferable, they are only of value to the recipient if the market value of our common stock increases after the date of grant, thereby directly linking compensation in the form of stock options to Company performance.

Making option grants on a monthly basis provides employees with a “dollar-cost averaging” approach to the price of their option grants. By granting options each month rather than on a less frequent basis, we believe it alleviates to a great extent the arbitrariness of option grant timing and the potential negative employee issues associated with “underwater” options.

Stock options are vested upon grant and can be exercised for up to ten years following grant regardless of employment status. As discussed above, the stock price needs to appreciate at least 40% before an employee is better off allocating cash to stock options. We believe this serves as de facto vesting criteria and aligns employees’ and stockholders’ interests. We believe that the ten-year life of the options enhances their value for each employee and thereby encourages equity ownership in the Company, which is helpful in aligning employee and stockholder interests. We do not believe that staggered vesting of stock options or expiration of options closely following employment termination has a desirable impact on employee retention. Rather, we believe that creating and maintaining a high-performance culture and providing highly competitive compensation packages are the critical components for retaining employees, including our Named Executive Officers.

Empirically, stock options have proven to be an effective way of creating long-term alignment between executives and stockholders. Even though the options are vested upon grant, our Named Executive Officers often do not exercise their options for an extended period of time.

Other Components of Compensation

In 2020,2021, each Named Executive Officer, like all our full-time employees, was eligible to receive an additional $15,000$16,000 in annual compensation that may be used to defray the cost of health care benefits previously paid by us. This amount was increased to $16,000 for 2021. Any portion of this allowance not utilized toward the cost of health care benefits will be paid as salary, up to a maximum of $5,000.

In addition to base salary and stock options, certain eligible U.S. employees, including our Named Executive Officers, have the opportunity to participate in our 401(k) matching program which enables them to receive a dollar-for-dollar Company match of up to 4% of his or her compensation to the 401(k) fund, subject to limitations under applicable law. Messrs. Neumann, Sarandos, and Hyman all participated in this program in 20202021 and therefore we matched their 401(k) contributions as shown in the compensation tables of this Proxy Statement.

We also maintain a group term life insurance policy for all full-time employees, including our Named Executive Officers. We permit our Named Executive Officers and their family members and guests to use our corporate aircraft for personal use and consider amounts related to such travel to be a perquisite. Additionally, our Named Executive Officers are permitted to use a

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company-provided car service under certain circumstances. We also pay for residential security measures and services for certain Named Executive Officers when deemed necessary. All of these perquisites are reflected in the “All Other Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table.

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION IN Executive Compensation in 2021

2020 presented unprecedented challenges for Netflix and the world, as we navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. Our Named Executive Officers continued to execute our strategies and deliver strong performance throughout 2020 amidst the continuously evolving and challenging environment. Nonetheless, given the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the global economic environment, the Compensation Committee, in consultation with Compensia, determined not to make any changes to executive officers’ allocatable compensation for 2021 as compared to 2020, aside from incorporating the value of each Named Executive Officer’s former minimum stock option allowance. Specifically, the value of the minimum stock option allowance that was eliminated in 2021 (generally equal to 5% of the allocatable compensation) was added to the allocatable compensation for each Named Executive Officer, as it was done for all eligible employees.

Each year, we allow our Named Executive Officers to allocate their compensation between cash and stock options. Our Named Executive Officers continue to express their confidence in the Company and our growth strategy by electing to receive a substantialsignificant percentage of their compensation through at-risk stock option awards. These elections are made prior to the compensation year and are irrevocable. For 2020,2021, the following elections were made by our Named Executive Officers:

 

Named Executive Officer

 

Allocatable

Compensation

($)(1)

 

Amount of Allocatable

Compensation Elected

to be received as

Stock Options

(%)(1)

 

Amount of Allocatable

Compensation Elected

to be received as

Cash Salary

(%)

  

Allocatable

Compensation

($)

  

Amount of Allocatable

Compensation Elected

to be received as

Stock Options

(%)

  

Amount of Allocatable

Compensation Elected

to be received as

Cash Salary

(%)

Reed Hastings, Co-Chief Executive Officer, President, Chairman of the Board

  33,000,000  98.0  2.0

Reed Hastings, Co-Chief Executive Officer, President, Chairperson of the Board

    34,650,000    98.1    1.9

Ted Sarandos, Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Content Officer

  33,000,000  39.4  60.6    34,650,000    42.3    57.7

Spencer Neumann, Chief Financial Officer

  11,000,000  45.0  55.0    11,550,000    48.1    51.9

Greg Peters, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Product Officer

  18,000,000  33.3  66.7    18,900,000    36.5    63.5

David Hyman, Chief Legal Officer

  9,000,000  38.9  61.1    9,450,000    50.0    50.0

Rachel Whetstone, Chief Communications Officer

  5,000,000  4.0  96.0    5,250,000    9.5    90.5

(1)

Excludes the minimum annual stock option allowance.

We also provided a minimum annual stock option allowance (generally equal to 5% of the Named Executive Officer’s allocatable compensation) in 2020, which is added to the amount allocated to stock options by the Named Executive Officer to arrive at the total annual stock option allocation. While the total annual stock option allocation is expressed in a dollar denomination, we use the total annual stock option allocation only to calculate the number of stock options to be granted. The total annual stock option allocation is not available to the employees as cash compensation, except where an employee who has allocated a portion of their compensation toward stock options receives severance payments and as otherwise set forth in our Amended and Restated Executive Severance and Retention Incentive Plan (the “Severance Plan”).

The compensation of our Named Executive Officers for 20202021 was determined in 2019, prior to the global onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.2020. In determining compensation for our Named Executive Officers for 2020,2021, in consultation with Compensia, the Compensation Committee considered the philosophy described above, including comparative market data. In addition,As discussed above, due to the following factors were considered for eachCOVID-19 pandemic, while our Named Executive Officer:Officers continued to demonstrate leadership and execute on our strategic objectives, compensation remained flat for our Named Executive Officers.

for Mr. Hastings, the Compensation Committee considered his accomplishments in continuing to develop and evolve the business strategy for the Company, the performance of the Company relative to this strategy and his ability to attract and retain senior management, and increased his allocatable compensation from $30,000,000 to $33,000,000 for 2020.

for Mr. Sarandos, consideration was given to his global stature as a leading media executive and his role in obtaining globally relevant content for the Company’s international expansion, his significant contributions to the Company’s original content strategy, the buildout of the infrastructure to support that strategy, and the market demand for high-level content programming talent. Mr. Sarandos’ allocatable compensation was increased from $30,000,000 to $33,000,000 for 2020. Mr. Sarandos’s allocatable compensation was not increased when he was promoted to Co-Chief Executive Officer in July 2020 and he also continues to retain his role as Chief Content Officer.

for Mr. Neumann, consideration was given to his experience in leading a financial organization in the media industry, as well as the increasing complexity of our financial reporting as we engage in original productions around the globe. Mr. Neumann’s allocatable compensation was increased from $9,524,000 to $11,000,000 for 2020.

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for Mr. Peters, consideration was given to his performance in developing and deploying our increasingly complex engineering systems to support our continued expansion into new jurisdictions and languages and new product offerings to enhance user experience, as well as the continued market demand for engineering talent. His allocatable compensation was increased from $16,000,000 to $18,000,000 for 2020. Mr. Peters’ allocatable compensation was not increased when he was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in July 2020 and he also continues to retain his role as Chief Product Officer.

for Mr. Hyman, consideration was given to his performance in managing and developing a global legal and public policy function, and his allocatable compensation was increased from $7,000,000 to $9,000,000 for 2020.

for Ms. Whetstone, consideration was given to her deep knowledge and international experience in leading global communications, as we expand our original content around the globe. Her allocatable compensation was increased from $3,500,000 to $5,000,000 for 2020.

Individual employee performance, including that of our Named Executive Officers, is evaluated on an ongoing basis. To the extent such performance exceeds or falls short of our performance values, we may take action that includes, in the case of star performers, promotions or increases in compensation or, in the case of under performers, demotion, a reduction in compensation or termination.

After considering the above, in 2020,

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In 2021, the compensation components for our Named Executive Officers were as follows. Please see the Summary Compensation Table provided in this Proxy Statement for a complete description of the compensation of our Named Executive Officers:

 

Name and Position

2020

Total Annual

Stock Option

Allocation,
with

1/12 granted

monthly

($)(1)

2020 Annual

Cash Salary

($)

  

2021

Total Annual

Stock Option

Allocation,
with

1/12 granted

monthly

($)(1)

  

2021 Annual

Cash Salary

($)

Reed Hastings, Co-Chief Executive Officer, President, and Chairman of the Board

 34,000,000 650,000

Reed Hastings, Co-Chief Executive Officer, President, and Chairperson of the Board

    34,000,000    650,000

Ted Sarandos, Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Content Officer

 14,650,000 20,000,000    14,650,000    20,000,000

Spencer Neumann, Chief Financial Officer

 5,500,000 6,050,000    5,550,000    6,000,000

Greg Peters, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Product Officer

 6,900,000 12,000,000    6,900,000    12,000,000

David Hyman, Chief Legal Officer

 3,950,000 5,500,000    4,725,000    4,725,000

Rachel Whetstone, Chief Communications Officer

 450,000 4,800,000    500,000    4,750,000

 

(1)

The dollar amounts set forth in this column are different than the amounts in the “Option Awards” column of the Summary Compensation Table because the amounts in this column are reflective of the total compensation amount attributable to stock option grants, rather than the accounting valuation which is reflected in the Summary Compensation Table. Includes the annual stock option allowance of 5% of allocatable compensation.

Method for determining monthly stock option grants

After the total annual stock option allocation is established, our Named Executive Officers receive monthly option grants pursuant to our monthly stock option program, which is applicable to the majority of our employees. Under this program, eligible employees, including our Named Executive Officers, receive on the first trading day of the month fully vested options granted at fair market value as reflected by the closing price of our stock on the date of the option grant. The number of stock options granted monthly fluctuates based on the closing price of our stock on the date of the option grant.

In 2020,2021, the actual number of options granted to our Named Executive Officers each month was determined by the following formula: (The amount of an employee’s total annual stock option allocation/12) / ([the closing price of our stock on the date of option grant] x 0.40).

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For stock option accounting purposes, the dollar values of stock options granted by the Company, as reflected in the Summary Compensation Table, below, are different than the dollar values of the total annual stock option allocation in the table above. The difference arises as the stock option allocation in the table above is the amount used to determine the number of options granted, whereas the dollar values of stock option grants in the Summary Compensation Table reflects their grant date fair value under the accounting rules.

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Named Executive Officer Compensation for 20212022

Compensation for our Named Executive Officers for 2021 remained flat as compared to 2020. Our Named Executive Officers continued to execute our strategies and deliver strong performance throughout 2020 amidst the continuously evolving and challenging environment. Nonetheless, given the COVID-19 pandemic and related economic challenges, the Compensation Committee determined not to make any changes to executive compensation for 2021. Allocatable compensation for our Named Executive Officers in 20212022 was determined in consultation with Compensia. For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021,2022, the compensation components for our Named Executive Officers serving in 20212022 are being allocated as follows, based on the methods described above. Beginning in 2021, in an effort to maximize flexibility and personal choice for our employees, the minimum annual stock option allowance (generally based upon 5% of total allocatable compensation) has been eliminated for most employees and the value has been added to the employees’ total allocatable compensation.

 

Name and Position

 

2021

Annual Stock

Option
Allocation

($)

 2021 Annual Stock
Option Allocation
as percentage of
Allocatable
Compensation (%)
 

2021

Annual
Salary

($)

 2021 Annual
Salary as
Percentage of
Allocatable
Compensation
(%)
  

2022

Annual Stock

Option
Allocation

($)

  2022 Annual Stock
Option Allocation
as percentage of
Allocatable
Compensation (%)
  

2022

Annual
Salary

($)

  2022 Annual
Salary as
Percentage of
Allocatable
Compensation
(%)

Reed Hastings, Co-Chief Executive Officer, President, and Chairman of the Board

  34,000,000  98.1  650,000  1.9

Reed Hastings, Co-Chief Executive Officer, President, and Chairperson of the Board

    34,000,000    98.1    650,000    1.9

Ted Sarandos, Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Content Officer

  14,650,000  42.3  20,000,000  57.7    20,000,000    50.0    20,000,000    50.0

Spencer Neumann, Chief Financial Officer

  5,550,000  48.1  6,000,000  51.9    7,000,000    50.0    7,000,000    50.0

Greg Peters, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Product Officer

  6,900,000  36.5  12,000,000  63.5    8,000,000    33.3    16,000,000    66.7

David Hyman, Chief Legal Officer

  4,725,000  50.0  4,725,000  50.0    5,000,000    45.5    6,000,000    54.5

Rachel Whetstone, Chief Communications Officer

  500,000  9.5  4,750,000  90.5    1,000,000    15.4    5,500,000    84.6

TERMINATION-BASED COMPENSATION AND CHANGE IN CONTROL RETENTION INCENTIVESTermination-based Compensation and Change in Control Retention Incentives

Our Named Executive Officers are beneficiaries of our Severance Plan. Under this Severance Plan, each employee of the Company at the level of Vice President or higher (“Covered Executive”) is entitled to a severance benefit upon termination of employment (other than for cause, death or permanent disability) so long as he or she signs a waiver and release of claims and an agreement not to disparage the Company, its directors or its officers in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Company.

During 2020,In 2021, the severance benefit consisted of a lump sum cash payment equal to nine12 months of allocatable compensation, or, for newly hired Covered Executives only, a cash payment equal to 2436 months of allocatable compensation, which is reduced by an amount equal to one month of allocatable compensation for each month of tenure at the Company for the first 1524 months of continuous employment following hire by the Company, such that the minimum benefit for such newly hired Covered Executives is the cash equivalent of nine months of allocatable compensation. In order to remain competitive in attracting top talent, the severance benefit was increased in April 2021 such that newly hired Covered Executives are eligible to receive a severance benefit of up to 36 months of allocatable compensation, which is reduced by an amount equal to one month of allocatable compensation for each

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month of tenure at the Company for the first 27 months of continuous employment following hire by the Company, such that the minimum benefit for such newly hired Covered Executives is the cash equivalent of nine12 months of allocatable compensation. The right to receive a severance benefit terminates upon a change in control transaction, so that the Covered Executives under the Severance Plan are not entitled to both a change in control benefit as well as a severance benefit. In order to remain competitive in attracting and retaining top talent, the Severance Plan was amended during 2021 to increase the minimum severance benefit under the Severance Plan from 9 months to 12 months of allocatable compensation and to increase the starting severance benefit for newly hired Covered Executives from 24 months to 36 months of allocatable compensation.

In lieu of the severance benefit described above, the Severance Plan provides that employees covered by the Severance Plan who are employed by the Company on the date of a change in control transaction are entitled to receive a lump sum cash payment equal to 12 months of allocatable compensation regardless of whether their employment terminates.

We also maintain a plan for our director level employees (the “Director Plan”) that provides those employees who are employed by the Company on the date of a change in control transaction with a lump sum cash payment equal to six months of allocatable compensation, regardless of whether their employment terminates. While director level employees are not guaranteed any severance upon termination of employment, to the extent any severance is provided to a director level employee, payment associated with the change in control will be in lieu of or otherwise offset against any such severance payment.

We have a “single trigger” change in control plan for our executive officers. Given our monthly grants of fully vested options, a change in control does not trigger acceleration of unvested shares, which is a typical concern about single triggers. We use a

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single trigger change in control plan because we believe that double trigger plans, which require the occurrence of both a change in control and the executive’s termination of service from the Company for an executive to receive severance, create a misaligned incentive for executives to attempt to be terminated from the Company in the event of a change in control. We would rather encourage our executives to continue to focus on the long-term success of the Company instead of their individual severance opportunities.

The benefits owing under the Severance Plan or Director Plan are to be paid to an individual covered under the applicable plan by the Company as soon as administratively practicable following the completion of all conditions to the payment, but in no event more than two and one half months following the date of the triggering event. We believe that benefits under the Severance Plan are consistent with similar benefits offered to executive officers of similarly situated companies and moreover, the Severance Plan is an important mechanism for attracting and retaining outstanding performers. Each of the terms “allocatable compensation,” “cause” and “change in control” are defined in the Severance Plan, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 10-Q8-K filed on April 22,September 10, 2021.

TAX CONSIDERATIONSTax Considerations

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (“Section 162(m)”) was among the provisions that were amended pursuant to The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”), which was signed into law on December 22, 2017. The prior version of Section 162(m) generally disallowed a tax deduction for compensation that we paid to our Chief Executive Officer or any of the next three most highly compensated executive officers (excluding the Chief Financial Officer) to the extent that the compensation for any such individual exceeded $1 million in any taxable year. However, this deduction limitation did not apply to compensation that was “performance-based” under Section 162(m). The Tax Act amended Section 162(m) to eliminate the exception for performance-based compensation. As a result, effective for our 2018 fiscal year and thereafter, the maximum U.S. federal income tax deduction that we may receive for annual compensation paid to any officer covered by Section 162(m) is $1 million per officer, subject to a transition rule that is described below.

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The Tax Act also expanded the individuals covered by Section 162(m) to include our Chief Financial Officer and certain of our former officers. Separately, the Tax Act included a transition rule with respect to compensation that is provided pursuant to a written binding contract in effect on November 2, 2017 and not materially modified after that date. We continued to grant stock options in 2020,2021, although the compensation income recognized upon exercise of such grants by individuals covered by Section 162(m) will not be deductible by us to the extent the total compensation for each such individual exceeds $1 million in the year in which the stock options are exercised. On December 30, 2020, the Internal Revenue Service published final Section 162(m) regulations that generally implement amendments made to Section 162(m) by the Tax Act.

The Compensation Committee considers the tax impact of the Company’s compensation program, and will generally seek to preserve the deductibility of any performance-based compensation that is subject to the transition rule of the Tax Act, to the extent practicable and in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. However, the Compensation Committee reserves the right to pay compensation that is not tax deductible.

PROHIBITION ON HEDGINGProhibition on Hedging

Our Insider Trading Policy which was updated in March 2020, prohibits our section 16 officers and directors from engaging in any transactions involving any hedging or derivatives of Company equity securities, including trading in futures and derivative securities and engaging in hedging activities relating to our securities (including forward sales contracts, equity swaps, collars, puts, calls, exchange traded options and exchange funds), or otherwise engaging in transactions that are designed to hedge or offset decreases in the market value of our equity securities, provided that it does not limit director and officer participation in our stock option program. This prohibition applies only to transactions initiated on or after March 4, 2020 and applies to Company equity securities that are (i) granted to the section 16 officer or director by the Company as part of their compensation or (ii) held, directly or indirectly, by the section 16 officer or the director.

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CLAWBACK OF PERFORMANCE-BASED AWARDSClawback of Performance-Based Awards

While we do not currently use performance-based awards, the Netflix, Inc. 2020 Stock Plan allows us to recover certain performance-based equity awards or amounts paid in respect of such awards in the event of certain acts of misconduct by award recipients. Such misconduct generally relates to contributing to or failing to take reasonable steps to prevent an accounting restatement due to material noncompliance with financial reporting requirements.

COMPENSATION RISKCompensation Risk

Our compensation policies for non-executive salaried employees are the same as those outlined for our Named Executive Officers. Given the design of our compensation structure, as detailed in the foregoing Compensation Discussion and Analysis, we do not believe that our compensation policies and practices are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

CODE OF ETHICSCode of Ethics

We have adopted a Code of Ethics for our directors, officers and other employees. A copy of the Code of Ethics is available on our Investor Relations website at https://ir.netflix.net/governance/governance-docs/default.aspx. Any changes or waivers of the Code of Ethics will be posted at that website.

 

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Compensation Committee

Committee Report

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management. Based on the review and discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement and the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.2021.

Compensation Committee of the Board

Rodolphe Belmer

Mathias Döpfner

Timothy M. Haley

Anne Sweeney

 

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COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE   

OFFICERS AND OTHER MATTERS                    

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SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLESummary Compensation Table

The following Summary Compensation Table sets forth information concerning the compensation paid to our Named Executive Officers in 2021, 2020, 2019 and 2018,2019, other than Mr. Neumann who joined the Company in 2019 and Ms. Whetstone who was not a Named Executive Officer in 2018 or 2019. A description of the method for determining the amount of salary in proportion to total compensation is set forth above in “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.���

 

Name and Principal Position

Year

Salary

($)

Bonus

($)

Option

Awards

($)(1)

All Other

Compensation

($)(2)

Total

($)

Reed Hastings

Co-Chief Executive Officer, President, and
Chairman of the Board

 2020 650,000 42,428,878 147,146(3)  43,226,024
 2019 700,000 37,411,492 465,637(3)  38,577,129
 2018 700,000 35,380,417  36,080,417

Ted Sarandos

Co-Chief Executive Officer and

Chief Content Officer

 2020 20,000,000 18,304,124 1,014,127(4)  39,318,251
 2019 18,000,000 16,575,902 98,497(5)  34,674,399
 2018 12,000,000 17,615,220 32,251(6)  29,647,471

Spencer Neumann

Chief Financial Officer

 2020 6,050,000 6,865,017 24,134(7)  12,939,151
 2019 4,981,693(8)  1,700,000(9)  5,272,020 29,008(10)  11,982,721

Greg Peters

Chief Operating Officer and

Chief Product Officer

 2020 12,000,000 8,664,337 141,658(11)  20,805,995
 2019 10,000,000 8,287,734 340,976(12)  18,628,710
 2018 6,000,000 7,985,902 832,687(13)  14,818,589

David Hyman

Chief Legal Officer

 2020 5,500,000 4,956,023 13,324(14)  10,469,347
 2019 3,500,000 4,643,129 15,550(15)  8,158,679
 2018 2,500,000 3,914,510 11,890(16)  6,426,400

Rachel Whetstone

Chief Communications Officer

 2020 4,800,000 555,929 170(17)  5,356,099

Name and Principal Position

 Year 

Salary

($)

  

Bonus

($)

  

Option

Awards

($)(1)

  

All Other

Compensation

($)(2)

  

Total

($)

 

REED HASTINGS

Co-Chief Executive Officer, President, and
Chairperson of the Board

 2021  650,000    39,731,118   442,607(3)   40,823,725 
 2020  650,000    42,428,878   147,146(3)   43,226,024 
 2019  700,000       37,411,492   465,637(3)   38,577,129 

TED SARANDOS

Co-Chief Executive Officer and

Chief Content Officer

 2021  20,000,000    17,119,501   1,112,663(4)   38,232,164 
 2020  20,000,000    18,304,124   1,014,127(5)   39,318,251 
 2019  18,000,000       16,575,902   98,497(6)   34,674,399 

SPENCER NEUMANN

Chief Financial Officer

 2021  6,000,000    6,480,431   30,265(7)   12,510,696 
 2020  6,050,000    6,865,017   24,134(8)   12,939,151 
 2019  4,981,693(9)   1,700,000(10)   5,272,020   29,008(11)   11,982,721 

GREG PETERS

Chief Operating Officer and

Chief Product Officer

 2021  12,000,000    8,063,284   308,109(12)   20,371,393 
 2020  12,000,000    8,664,337   141,658(13)   20,805,995 
 2019  10,000,000       8,287,734   340,976(14)   18,628,710 

DAVID HYMAN

Chief Legal Officer

 2021  4,725,000    5,440,831   11,742(15)   10,177,573 
 2020  5,500,000    4,956,023   13,324(16)   10,469,347 
 2019  3,500,000       4,643,129   15,550(17)   8,158,679 

RACHEL WHETSTONE

Chief Communications Officer

 2021  4,750,000    579,116   302(18)   5,329,418 
 2020  4,800,000       555,929   170(18)   5,356,099 

 

(1)

Dollar amounts in the Option Awards column reflect the grant date fair value with respect to stock options during the respective fiscal year, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The dollar amounts set forth in the Option Awards column are different than the stock option allocation amounts described in the section above entitled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” because the stock option allocation amounts in such section are reflective of the total compensation amount attributable to stock option grants, rather than the accounting valuation. For a discussion of the assumptions made in the valuation reflected in the Option Awards column, refer to Note 9 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 20202021 in our Form 10-K filed with the SEC on January 28, 2021.27, 2022.

(2)

We permit our Named Executive Officers and their family members and guests to use our corporate aircraft for personal use. Personal use of company aircraft is calculated based upon our actual aggregate incremental cost to operate the aircraft, including fuel, crew, and catering costs, as well as other variable costs. Fixed costs, which do not change based on usage, are excluded.

(3)

Includes $442,607, $147,146 and $465,637 for personal use of company aircraft in 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

(4)

Includes $11,400$11,600 representing our matching contribution made under our 401(k) plan, $7,639$16,353 for car services, $192,137 for personal use of company aircraft, and $995,088$892,573 in residential security costs paid to a third-party provider by the Company valued on the basis of aggregate incremental cost to the Company. The Compensation Committee approved the residential security costs after considering the potential security concerns related to Mr. Sarandos’s service as an executive officer and believes the security costs are a necessary and appropriate business expense.

(5)

Includes $11,400 representing our matching contribution made under our 401(k) plan, $7,639 for car services, and $995,088 in residential security costs paid to a third-party provider by the Company valued on the basis of aggregate incremental cost to the Company.

(6)

Includes $9,800 representing our matching contribution made under our 401(k) plan, $74,282 for personal use of company aircraft and $14,415 for car services.

(6)(7)

Includes $8,250$11,600 representing our matching contribution made under our 401(k) plan, $19,599$8,305 for personal use of company aircraft and $4,402$10,359 for commuting expenses.car services.

(7)(8)

Includes $14,581 representing our matching contribution made under our 401(k) plan, $2,174 for personal use of company aircraft and $7,379 for car services.

(8)(9)

Amount reflects the prorated payment of Mr. Neumann’s salary based on his employment start date of January 7, 2019.

(9)(10)

Amount represents a one-time cash payment Mr. Neumann received upon joining the Company, which served as an inducement for him to join the Company.

(10)(11)

Includes $6,731 representing our matching contribution made under our 401(k) plan and $22,277 for car services.

(11)(12)

Includes $308,109 for personal use of company aircraft.

(13)

Includes $140,394 for personal use of company aircraft and $1,264 for commuting expenses.

(12)(14)

Includes $340,471 for personal use of company aircraft and $505 for commuting expenses.

(13)(15)

Includes $829,025$11,600 representing our matching contribution made under our 401(k) plan and $142 for living allowances and taxes paid by the Company to tax equalize the employee for an expatriate assignment and $3,662 for commuting expenses.car services.

(14)(16)

Includes $11,400 representing our matching contribution made under our 401(k) plan, $1,664 for commuting expenses and $260 for car services.

(15)(17)

Includes $9,800 representing our matching contribution made under our 401(k) plan, $1,481 reimbursed by the Company for tax preparation, $4,118 for commuting expenses and $151 for car services.

(16)(18)

Includes $8,250 representing our matching contribution made under our 401(k) plan$302 and $3,640 for commuting expenses.

(17)

Includes $170 for car services.services in 2021 and 2020, respectively.

 

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GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDSGrants of Plan-Based Awards

The following table sets forth information concerning grants of awards made to the Named Executive Officers during 2020.2021. As described above in “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” we grant eligible employees, including the Named Executive Officers, fully vested stock options on a monthly basis. These stock options can generally be exercised up to 10 years following the date of grant, regardless of employment status. These are the only equity awards made to the Named Executive Officers. The material terms of these stock option grants, including the formula for determining the number of stock options to be granted, are set forth above in “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.”

 

Name

Grant Date

All Other Option
Awards: Number of

Securities

Underlying Options
(#)

Exercise or
Base Price of
Option Awards
($/Sh)

Grant Date

Fair Value of
Stock and
Option Awards
($)

  Grant Date   

All Other Option
Awards: Number of

Securities

Underlying Options
(#)

  Exercise or
Base Price of
Option Awards
($/Sh)
  

Grant Date

Fair Value of
Stock and
Option Awards
($)

Reed Hastings

 1/2/2020 19,456 329.81 3,019,914   1/4/2021   13,547  522.86  3,531,765
 2/3/2020 19,786 358.00 3,333,636   2/1/2021   13,141  539.04  3,531,934
 3/2/2020 18,589 381.05 3,333,192   3/1/2021   12,864  550.64  3,531,890
 4/1/2020 19,455 364.08 3,592,105   4/1/2021   13,131  539.42  3,311,892
 5/1/2020 17,057 415.27 3,592,148   5/3/2021   13,913  509.11  3,311,949
 6/1/2020 16,631 425.92 3,592,258   6/1/2021   14,193  499.08  3,312,040
 7/1/2020 14,585 485.64 3,650,607   7/1/2021   13,276  533.54  3,139,985
 8/3/2020 14,206 498.62 3,650,780   8/2/2021   13,750  515.15  3,140,001
 9/1/2020 12,727 556.55 3,650,685   9/1/2021   12,169  582.07  3,139,955
 10/1/2020 13,428 527.51 3,671,163   10/1/2021   11,553  613.15  3,260,099
 11/2/2020 14,632 484.12 3,671,286   11/1/2021   10,398  681.17  3,259,678
 12/1/2020 14,038 504.58 3,671,105   12/1/2021   11,466  617.77  3,259,929

Ted Sarandos

 1/2/2020 8,527 329.81 1,323,540   1/4/2021   5,837  522.86  1,521,733
 2/3/2020 8,525 358.00 1,436,331   2/1/2021   5,662  539.04  1,521,788
 3/2/2020 8,010 381.05 1,436,272   3/1/2021   5,543  550.64  1,521,864
 4/1/2020 8,383 364.08 1,547,809   4/1/2021   5,658  539.42  1,427,057
 5/1/2020 7,350 415.27 1,547,886   5/3/2021   5,995  509.11  1,427,092
 6/1/2020 7,166 425.92 1,547,840   6/1/2021   6,116  499.08  1,427,213
 7/1/2020 6,284 485.64 1,572,877   7/1/2021   5,720  533.54  1,352,871
 8/3/2020 6,121 498.62 1,573,027   8/2/2021   5,925  515.15  1,353,055
 9/1/2020 5,484 556.55 1,573,062   9/1/2021   5,243  582.07  1,352,846
 10/1/2020 5,786 527.51 1,581,870   10/1/2021   4,978  613.15  1,404,724
 11/2/2020 6,304 484.12 1,581,724   11/1/2021   4,481  681.17  1,404,753
 12/1/2020 6,049 504.58 1,581,886   12/1/2021   4,940  617.77  1,404,505

Spencer Neumann

 1/2/2020 3,158 329.81 490,177
 2/3/2020 3,201 358.00 539,319
 3/2/2020 3,007 381.05 539,185
 4/1/2020 3,147 364.08 581,051
 5/1/2020 2,759 415.27 581,036
 6/1/2020 2,690 425.92 581,034
 7/1/2020 2,360 485.64 590,705
 8/3/2020 2,298 498.62 590,560
 9/1/2020 2,058 556.55 590,328
 10/1/2020 2,173 527.51 594,090
 11/2/2020 2,367 484.12 593,899
 12/1/2020 2,270 504.58 593,632

 

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2021 PROXY STATEMENT                    2022 Proxy Statement

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67


Name

Grant Date

All Other Option
Awards: Number of

Securities

Underlying Options
(#)

Exercise or
Base Price of
Option Awards
($/Sh)

Grant Date

Fair Value of
Stock and
Option Awards
($)

Greg Peters

 1/2/2020 4,296 329.81 666,815
 2/3/2020 4,015 358.00 676,466
 3/2/2020 3,772 381.05 676,357
 4/1/2020 3,949 364.08 729,130
 5/1/2020 3,461 415.27 728,875
 6/1/2020 3,375 425.92 728,992
 7/1/2020 2,960 485.64 740,884
 8/3/2020 2,883 498.62 740,898
 9/1/2020 2,583 556.55 740,922
 10/1/2020 2,725 527.51 745,004
 11/2/2020 2,969 484.12 744,946
 12/1/2020 2,849 504.58 745,048

David Hyman

 1/2/2020 2,432 329.81 377,489
 2/3/2020 2,299 358.00 387,346
 3/2/2020 2,160 381.05 387,309
 4/1/2020 2,260 364.08 417,279
 5/1/2020 1,981 415.27 417,192
 6/1/2020 1,932 425.92 417,308
 7/1/2020 1,695 485.64 424,256
 8/3/2020 1,650 498.62 424,031
 9/1/2020 1,479 556.55 424,245
 10/1/2020 1,560 527.51 426,498
 11/2/2020 1,700 484.12 426,544
 12/1/2020 1,631 504.58 426,526

Rachel Whetstone

 1/2/2020 221 329.81 34,303
 2/3/2020 262 358.00 44,143
 3/2/2020 246 381.05 44,110
 4/1/2020 257 364.08 47,452
 5/1/2020 226 415.27 47,595
 6/1/2020 220 425.92 47,519
 7/1/2020 193 485.64 48,308
 8/3/2020 188 498.62 48,314
 9/1/2020 169 556.55 48,477
 10/1/2020 177 527.51 48,391
 11/2/2020 194 484.12 48,676
 12/1/2020 186 504.58 48,641

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Name

  Grant Date   

All Other Option
Awards: Number of

Securities

Underlying Options
(#)

  Exercise or
Base Price of
Option Awards
($/Sh)
  

Grant Date

Fair Value of
Stock and
Option Awards
($)

Spencer Neumann

   1/4/2021   2,192  522.86  571,464
   2/1/2021   2,145  539.04  576,516
   3/1/2021   2,100  550.64  576,568
   4/1/2021   2,143  539.42  540,506
   5/3/2021   2,271  509.11  540,605
   6/1/2021   2,317  499.08  540,689
   7/1/2021   2,167  533.54  512,530
   8/2/2021   2,245  515.15  512,677
   9/1/2021   1,986  582.07  512,446
   10/1/2021   1,886  613.15  532,204
   11/1/2021   1,697  681.17  531,994
    12/1/2021   1,872  617.77  532,233

Greg Peters

   1/4/2021   2,750  522.86  716,938
   2/1/2021   2,666  539.04  716,546
   3/1/2021   2,611  550.64  716,866
   4/1/2021   2,665  539.42  672,164
   5/3/2021   2,823  509.11  672,007
   6/1/2021   2,881  499.08  672,302
   7/1/2021   2,694  533.54  637,174
   8/2/2021   2,790  515.15  637,135
   9/1/2021   2,470  582.07  637,332
   10/1/2021   2,344  613.15  661,445
   11/1/2021   2,111  681.17  661,779
    12/1/2021   2,327  617.77  661,596

David Hyman

   1/4/2021   1,573  522.86  410,088
   2/1/2021   1,827  539.04  491,047
   3/1/2021   1,787  550.64  490,632
   4/1/2021   1,825  539.42  460,300
   5/3/2021   1,934  509.11  460,383
   6/1/2021   1,972  499.08  460,181
   7/1/2021   1,845  533.54  436,372
   8/2/2021   1,911  515.15  436,403
   9/1/2021   1,691  582.07  436,327
   10/1/2021   1,605  613.15  452,909
   11/1/2021   1,445  681.17  452,994
    12/1/2021   1,594  617.77  453,194

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Name

  Grant Date   

All Other Option
Awards: Number of

Securities

Underlying Options
(#)

  Exercise or
Base Price of
Option Awards
($/Sh)
  

Grant Date

Fair Value of
Stock and
Option Awards
($)

Rachel Whetstone

   1/4/2021   179  522.86  46,666
   2/1/2021   193  539.04  51,873
   3/1/2021   189  550.64  51,891
   4/1/2021   194  539.42  48,931
   5/3/2021   204  509.11  48,562
   6/1/2021   209  499.08  48,772
   7/1/2021   195  533.54  46,121
   8/2/2021   202  515.15  46,129
   9/1/2021   179  582.07  46,187
   10/1/2021   170  613.15  47,972
   11/1/2021   153  681.17  47,964
    12/1/2021   169  617.77  48,049

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCALOutstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal YEAR-ENDYear-End

The following table sets forth information concerning equity awards for each Named Executive Officer that remained outstanding as of December 31, 2020.2021. All stock options are fully vested and can generally be exercised up to 10 years following the date of grant.

 

Option Awards  Option Awards

 

Name

Number of

Securities Underlying

Unexercised Options:

Exercisable (#)

Option
Exercise Price
($)

Option

Expiration Date

  

Number of

Securities Underlying

Unexercised Options:

Exercisable (#)

  Option
Exercise Price
($)
  

Option

Expiration Date

Reed Hastings

 38,801 16.11 3/1/2022  26,278  31.71  06/03/2023
 38,388 16.28 4/2/2022  26,012  32.04  07/01/2023
 53,774 11.62 5/1/2022  23,415  35.59  08/01/2023
 69,503 8.99 6/1/2022  20,188  41.29  09/03/2023
 64,477 9.69 7/2/2022  17,969  46.37  10/01/2023
 80,276 7.79 8/1/2022  17,717  47.04  11/01/2023
 78,225 7.99 9/4/2022  16,030  51.99  12/02/2023
 78,057 8.01 10/1/2022  16,079  51.83  01/02/2024
 56,315 11.10 11/1/2022  21,637  57.77  02/03/2024
 57,561 10.86 12/3/2022  19,635  63.66  03/03/2024
 47,551 13.14 1/2/2023  23,996  52.10  04/01/2024
 35,399 23.54 2/1/2023  25,998  48.07  05/01/2024
 30,807 27.05 3/1/2023  20,734  60.29  06/02/2024
 31,976 26.06 4/1/2023  18,494  67.59  07/01/2024
 27,398 30.42 5/1/2023  20,566  60.77  08/01/2024
 26,278 31.71 6/3/2023  18,361  68.09  09/02/2024
 26,012 32.04 7/1/2023  19,943  62.69  10/01/2024
 23,415 35.59 8/1/2023
 20,188 41.29 9/3/2023
 17,969 46.37 10/1/2023
 17,717 47.04 11/1/2023
 16,030 51.99 12/2/2023
 16,079 51.83 1/2/2024
 21,637 57.77 2/3/2024
 19,635 63.66 3/3/2024
 23,996 52.10 4/1/2024
 25,998 48.07 5/1/2024
 20,734 60.29 6/2/2024
 18,494 67.59 7/1/2024
 20,566 60.77 8/1/2024
 18,361 68.09 9/2/2024
 19,943 62.69 10/1/2024
 22,526 55.49 11/3/2024
 25,599 48.83 12/1/2024
 25,074 49.85 1/2/2025
 45,290 63.01 2/2/2025
 41,601 68.61 3/2/2025
 48,363 59.02 4/1/2025
 35,868 79.58 5/1/2025
 32,067 89.00 6/1/2025
 30,485 93.64 7/1/2025
 25,360 112.56 8/3/2025

 

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2021 PROXY STATEMENT                    2022 Proxy Statement

 

57

69


 Option Awards

Name

Number of

Securities Underlying

Unexercised Options:

Exercisable (#)

Option
Exercise Price
($)

Option

Expiration Date

Reed Hastings

 26,977 105.79 9/1/2025
 26,933 105.98 10/1/2025
 26,513 107.64 11/2/2025
 22,765 125.37 12/1/2025
 25,959 109.96 1/4/2026
 42,176 94.09 2/1/2026
 40,374 98.30 3/1/2026
 37,547 105.70 4/1/2026
 42,629 93.11 5/2/2026
 39,097 101.51 6/1/2026
 41,055 96.67 7/1/2026
 42,055 94.37 8/1/2026
 40,755 97.38 9/1/2026
 38,670 102.63 10/3/2026
 32,188 123.30 11/1/2026
 33,857 117.22 12/1/2026
 31,130 127.49 1/3/2027
 31,373 140.78 2/1/2027
 30,961 142.65 3/1/2027
 30,062 146.92 4/3/2027
 28,431 155.35 5/1/2027
 27,097 162.99 6/1/2027
 30,216 146.17 7/3/2027
 24,264 182.03 8/1/2027
 25,275 174.74 9/1/2027
 24,952 177.01 10/2/2027
 22,306 198.00 11/1/2027
 23,641 186.82 12/1/2027
 21,966 201.07 1/2/2028
 22,557 265.07 2/1/2028
 20,590 290.39 3/1/2028
 21,332 280.29 4/2/2028
 19,085 313.30 5/1/2028
 16,612 359.93 6/1/2028
 15,016 398.18 7/2/2028
 17,670 338.38 8/1/2028
 16,444 363.60 9/4/2028
 15,676 381.43 10/1/2028
 18,839 317.38 11/1/2028
 20,597 290.30 12/3/2028
 22,338 267.66 1/2/2029
 18,881 339.85 2/1/2029
 17,958 357.32 3/1/2029
 17,486 366.96 4/1/2029
 16,939 378.81 5/1/2029
 19,061 336.63 6/3/2029

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  Option Awards

 

Name

  

Number of

Securities Underlying

Unexercised Options:

Exercisable (#)

  Option
Exercise Price
($)
  

Option

Expiration Date

Reed Hastings (continued)

  22,526  55.49  11/03/2024
  25,599  48.83  12/01/2024
  25,074  49.85  01/02/2025
  45,290  63.01  02/02/2025
  41,601  68.61  03/02/2025
  48,363  59.02  04/01/2025
  35,868  79.58  05/01/2025
  32,067  89.00  06/01/2025
  30,485  93.64  07/01/2025
  25,360  112.56  08/03/2025
  26,977  105.79  09/01/2025
  26,933  105.98  10/01/2025
  26,513  107.64  11/02/2025
  22,765  125.37  12/01/2025
  25,959  109.96  01/04/2026
  42,176  94.09  02/01/2026
  40,374  98.30  03/01/2026
  37,547  105.70  04/01/2026
  42,629  93.11  05/02/2026
  39,097  101.51  06/01/2026
  41,055  96.67  07/01/2026
  42,055  94.37  08/01/2026
  40,755  97.38  09/01/2026
  38,670  102.63  10/03/2026
  32,188  123.30  11/01/2026
  33,857  117.22  12/01/2026
  31,130  127.49  01/03/2027
  31,373  140.78  02/01/2027
  30,961  142.65  03/01/2027
  30,062  146.92  04/03/2027
  28,431  155.35  05/01/2027
  27,097  162.99  06/01/2027
  30,216  146.17  07/03/2027
  24,264  182.03  08/01/2027
  25,275  174.74  09/01/2027
  24,952  177.01  10/02/2027
  22,306  198.00  11/01/2027
  23,641  186.82  12/01/2027

 

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58    

  70

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 Option Awards

Name

Number of

Securities Underlying

Unexercised Options:

Exercisable (#)

Option
Exercise Price
($)

Option

Expiration Date

Reed Hastings

 17,130 374.60 7/1/2029
 20,083 319.50 8/1/2029
 22,181 289.29 9/3/2029
 23,802 269.58 10/1/2029
 22,373 286.81 11/1/2029
 20,699 309.99 12/2/2029
 19,456 329.81 1/2/2030
 19,786 358.00 2/3/2030
 18,589 381.05 3/2/2030
 19,455 364.08 4/1/2030
 17,057 415.27 5/1/2030
 16,631 425.92 6/1/2030
 14,585 485.64 7/1/2030
 14,206 498.62 8/3/2030
 12,727 556.55 9/1/2030
 13,428 527.51 10/1/2030
 14,632 484.12 11/2/2030
 14,038 504.58 12/1/2030

Ted Sarandos

 25,130 79.58 5/1/2025
 22,470 89.00 6/1/2025
 21,357 93.64 7/1/2025
 15,952 125.37 12/1/2025
 26,125 94.09 2/1/2026
 25,008 98.30 3/1/2026
 26,405 93.11 5/2/2026
 25,430 96.67 7/1/2026
 26,050 94.37 8/1/2026
 25,245 97.38 9/1/2026
 19,282 127.49 1/3/2027
 16,279 140.78 2/1/2027
 15,679 146.17 7/3/2027
 8,248 359.93 6/1/2028
 7,456 398.18 7/2/2028
 8,773 338.38 8/1/2028
 8,165 363.60 9/4/2028
 7,783 381.43 10/1/2028
 9,354 317.38 11/1/2028
 10,227 290.30 12/3/2028
 11,091 267.66 1/2/2029
 8,276 339.85 2/1/2029
 7,871 357.32 3/1/2029
 7,664 366.96 4/1/2029
 7,425 378.81 5/1/2029
 8,355 336.63 6/3/2029
 7,508 374.60 7/1/2029
 8,802 319.50 8/1/2029

LOGOLOGO

  2021 PROXY STATEMENT     59


 Option Awards

Name

Number of

Securities Underlying

Unexercised Options:

Exercisable (#)

Option
Exercise Price
($)

Option

Expiration Date

Ted Sarandos

 9,723 289.29 9/3/2029
 10,433 269.58 10/1/2029
 9,806 286.81 11/1/2029
 9,073 309.99 12/2/2029
 8,527 329.81 1/2/2030
 8,525 358.00 2/3/2030
 8,010 381.05 3/2/2030
 8,383 364.08 4/1/2030
 7,350 415.27 5/1/2030
 7,166 425.92 6/1/2030
 6,284 485.64 7/1/2030
 6,121 498.62 8/3/2030
 5,484 556.55 9/1/2030
 5,786 527.51 10/1/2030
 6,304 484.12 11/2/2030
 6,049 504.58 12/1/2030

Spencer Neumann

 1,308 339.85 2/1/2029
 2,916 357.32 3/1/2029
 2,838 366.96 4/1/2029
 2,750 378.81 5/1/2029
 3,095 336.63 6/3/2029
 2,781 374.60 7/1/2029
 3,260 319.50 8/1/2029
 3,601 289.29 9/3/2029
 3,864 269.58 10/1/2029
 3,632 286.81 11/1/2029
 3,361 309.99 12/2/2029
 3,158 329.81 1/2/2030
 3,201 358.00 2/3/2030
 3,007 381.05 3/2/2030
 3,147 364.08 4/1/2030
 2,759 415.27 5/1/2030
 2,690 425.92 6/1/2030
 2,360 485.64 7/1/2030
 2,298 498.62 8/3/2030
 2,058 556.55 9/1/2030
 2,173 527.51 10/1/2030
 2,367 484.12 11/2/2030
 2,270 504.58 12/1/2030

Greg Peters

 6,941 98.30 3/1/2026
 6,455 105.70 4/1/2026
 7,329 93.11 5/2/2026
 6,721 101.51 6/1/2026
 7,058 96.67 7/1/2026
 7,230 94.37 8/1/2026
 7,007 97.38 9/1/2026

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60        LOGO


 

Option Awards  Option Awards

 

Name

Number of

Securities Underlying

Unexercised Options:

Exercisable (#)

Option
Exercise Price
($)

Option

Expiration Date

  

Number of

Securities Underlying

Unexercised Options:

Exercisable (#)

  Option
Exercise Price
($)
  

Option

Expiration Date

Greg Peters

 6,648 102.63 10/3/2026

Reed Hastings (continued)

  21,966  201.07  01/02/2028
 5,533 123.30 11/1/2026  22,557  265.07  02/01/2028
 5,821 117.22 12/1/2026  20,590  290.39  03/01/2028
 5,352 127.49 1/3/2027  21,332  280.29  04/02/2028
 4,846 140.78 2/1/2027  19,085  313.30  05/01/2028
 4,783 142.65 3/1/2027  16,612  359.93  06/01/2028
 4,644 146.92 4/3/2027  15,016  398.18  07/02/2028
 4,392 155.35 5/1/2027  17,670  338.38  08/01/2028
 4,186 162.99 6/1/2027  16,444  363.60  09/04/2028
 4,668 146.17 7/3/2027  15,676  381.43  10/01/2028
 3,891 182.03 8/1/2027  18,839  317.38  11/01/2028
 4,054 174.74 9/1/2027  20,597  290.30  12/03/2028
 4,001 177.01 10/2/2027  22,338  267.66  01/02/2029
 3,578 198.00 11/1/2027  18,881  339.85  02/01/2029
 3,791 186.82 12/1/2027  17,958  357.32  03/01/2029
 3,523 201.07 1/2/2028  17,486  366.96  04/01/2029
 5,187 265.07 2/1/2028  16,939  378.81  05/01/2029
 4,735 290.39 3/1/2028  19,061  336.63  06/03/2029
 4,906 280.29 4/2/2028  17,130  374.60  07/01/2029
 4,389 313.30 5/1/2028  20,083  319.50  08/01/2029
 3,820 359.93 6/1/2028  22,181  289.29  09/03/2029
 3,453 398.18 7/2/2028  23,802  269.58  10/01/2029
 4,063 338.38 8/1/2028  22,373  286.81  11/01/2029
 3,782 363.60 9/4/2028  20,699  309.99  12/02/2029
 3,605 381.43 10/1/2028  19,456  329.81  01/02/2030
 4,332 317.38 11/1/2028  19,786  358.00  02/03/2030
 4,737 290.30 12/3/2028  18,589  381.05  03/02/2030
 5,137 267.66 1/2/2029  19,455  364.08  04/01/2030
 4,168 339.85 2/1/2029  17,057  415.27  05/01/2030
 3,965 357.32 3/1/2029  16,631  425.92  06/01/2030
 3,861 366.96 4/1/2029  14,585  485.64  07/01/2030
 3,739 378.81 5/1/2029  14,206  498.62  08/03/2030
 4,209 336.63 6/3/2029  12,727  556.55  09/01/2030
 3,782 374.60 7/1/2029  13,428  527.51  10/01/2030
 4,434 319.50 8/1/2029  14,632  484.12  11/02/2030
 4,897 289.29 9/3/2029  14,038  504.58  12/01/2030
 5,255 269.58 10/1/2029  13,547  522.86  01/04/2031
 4,939 286.81 11/1/2029  13,141  539.04  02/01/2031
 4,570 309.99 12/2/2029
 4,296 329.81 1/2/2030
 4,015 358.00 2/3/2030
 3,772 381.05 3/2/2030
 3,949 364.08 4/1/2030
 3,461 415.27 5/1/2030
 3,375 425.92 6/1/2030
 2,960 485.64 7/1/2030

 

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2021 PROXY STATEMENT                    2022 Proxy Statement

 

61

71


LOGO

 Option Awards

Name

Number of

Securities Underlying

Unexercised Options:

Exercisable (#)

Option
Exercise Price
($)

Option

Expiration Date

Greg Peters

 2,883 498.62 8/3/2030
 2,583 556.55 9/1/2030
 2,725 527.51 10/1/2030
 2,969 484.12 11/2/2030
 2,849 504.58 12/1/2030

David Hyman

 6,272 49.85 1/2/2025
 3,962 63.01 2/2/2025
 3,647 68.61 3/2/2025
 4,235 59.02 4/1/2025
 3,143 79.58 5/1/2025
 2,807 89.00 6/1/2025
 2,667 93.64 7/1/2025
 2,221 112.56 8/3/2025
 2,363 105.79 9/1/2025
 2,359 105.98 10/1/2025
 2,322 107.64 11/2/2025
 1,994 125.37 12/1/2025
 2,274 109.96 1/4/2026
 4,439 94.09 2/1/2026
 4,249 98.30 3/1/2026
 3,952 105.70 4/1/2026
 4,487 93.11 5/2/2026
 4,115 101.51 6/1/2026
 4,321 96.67 7/1/2026
 4,426 94.37 8/1/2026
 4,290 97.38 9/1/2026
 4,070 102.63 10/3/2026
 3,387 123.30 11/1/2026
 3,564 117.22 12/1/2026
 3,276 127.49 1/3/2027
 1,798 140.78 2/1/2027
 1,775 142.65 3/1/2027
 1,722 146.92 4/3/2027
 1,630 155.35 5/1/2027
 1,553 162.99 6/1/2027
 1,732 146.17 7/3/2027
 1,390 182.03 8/1/2027
 1,449 174.74 9/1/2027
 1,430 177.01 10/2/2027
 1,278 198.00 11/1/2027
 1,355 186.82 12/1/2027
 1,259 201.07 1/2/2028
 2,574 265.07 2/1/2028
 2,349 290.39 3/1/2028
 2,435 280.29 4/2/2028
 2,177 313.30 5/1/2028

 

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  Option Awards

 

Name

  

Number of

Securities Underlying

Unexercised Options:

Exercisable (#)

  Option
Exercise Price
($)
  

Option

Expiration Date

Reed Hastings (continued)

  12,864  550.64  03/01/2031
  13,131  539.42  04/01/2031
  13,913  509.11  05/03/2031
  14,193  499.08  06/01/2031
  13,276  533.54  07/01/2031
  13,750  515.15  08/02/2031
  12,169  582.07  09/01/2031
  11,553  613.15  10/01/2031
  10,398  681.17  11/01/2031
   11,466  617.77  12/01/2031

Ted Sarandos

  25,130  79.58  05/1/2025
  22,470  89.00  06/1/2025
  21,357  93.64  07/1/2025
  15,952  125.37  12/1/2025
  26,125  94.09  02/1/2026
  25,008  98.30  03/1/2026
  26,405  93.11  05/2/2026
  25,430  96.67  07/1/2026
  26,050  94.37  08/1/2026
  25,245  97.38  09/1/2026
  19,282  127.49  01/3/2027
  16,279  140.78  02/1/2027
  15,679  146.17  07/3/2027
  8,248  359.93  06/1/2028
  7,456  398.18  07/2/2028
  8,773  338.38  08/1/2028
  8,165  363.60  09/4/2028
  7,783  381.43  10/1/2028
  8,276  339.85  02/1/2029
  7,871  357.32  03/1/2029
  7,664  366.96  04/1/2029
  7,425  378.81  05/1/2029
  8,355  336.63  06/3/2029
  7,508  374.60  07/1/2029
  8,802  319.50  08/1/2029
  8,527  329.81  01/2/2030
  8,525  358.00  02/3/2030

    

  8,010  381.05  03/2/2030

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  72

      LOGO

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 Option Awards

Name

Number of

Securities Underlying

Unexercised Options:

Exercisable (#)

Option
Exercise Price
($)

Option

Expiration Date

David Hyman

 1,896 359.93 6/1/2028
 1,713 398.18 7/2/2028
 2,017 338.38 8/1/2028
 1,876 363.60 9/4/2028
 1,789 381.43 10/1/2028
 2,150 317.38 11/1/2028
 2,350 290.30 12/3/2028
 2,549 267.66 1/2/2029
 2,360 339.85 2/1/2029
 2,245 357.32 3/1/2029
 2,186 366.96 4/1/2029
 2,117 378.81 5/1/2029
 2,383 336.63 6/3/2029
 2,141 374.60 7/1/2029
 2,511 319.50 8/1/2029
 2,772 289.29 9/3/2029
 2,976 269.58 10/1/2029
 2,796 286.81 11/1/2029
 2,587 309.99 12/2/2029
 2,432 329.81 1/2/2030
 2,299 358.00 2/3/2030
 2,160 381.05 3/2/2030
 2,260 364.08 4/1/2030
 1,981 415.27 5/1/2030
 1,932 425.92 6/1/2030
 1,695 485.64 7/1/2030
 1,650 498.62 8/3/2030
 1,479 556.55 9/1/2030
 1,560 527.51 10/1/2030
 1,700 484.12 11/2/2030
 1,631 504.58 12/1/2030

Rachel Whetstone

 20 290.30 12/3/2028
 137 267.66 1/2/2029
 214 339.85 2/1/2029
 204 357.32 3/1/2029
 199 366.96 4/1/2029
 192 378.81 5/1/2029
 217 336.63 6/3/2029
 195 374.60 7/1/2029
 228 319.50 8/1/2029
 252 289.29 9/3/2029
 271 269.58 10/1/2029
 254 286.81 11/1/2029
 235 309.99 12/2/2029
 221 329.81 1/2/2030
 262 358.00 2/3/2030

LOGOLOGO

  2021 PROXY STATEMENT     63

 

 

  Option Awards

 

Name

  

Number of

Securities Underlying

Unexercised Options:

Exercisable (#)

  Option
Exercise Price
($)
  

Option

Expiration Date

Ted Sarandos (continued)

  8,383  364.08  04/1/2030
  7,350  415.27  05/1/2030
  7,166  425.92  06/1/2030
  6,284  485.64  07/1/2030
  6,121  498.62  08/3/2030
  5,484  556.55  09/1/2030
  5,786  527.51  10/1/2030
  6,304  484.12  11/2/2030
  6,049  504.58  12/1/2030
  5,837  522.86  01/4/2031
  5,662  539.04  02/1/2031
  5,543  550.64  03/1/2031
  5,658  539.42  04/1/2031
  5,995  509.11  05/3/2031
  6,116  499.08  06/1/2031
  5,720  533.54  07/1/2031
  5,925  515.15  08/2/2031
  5,243  582.07  09/1/2031
  4,978  613.15  10/1/2031
  4,481  681.17  11/1/2031
   4,940  617.77  12/1/2031

Spencer Neumann

  1,308  339.85  02/1/2029
  2,916  357.32  03/1/2029
  2,838  366.96  04/1/2029
  2,750  378.81  05/1/2029
  3,095  336.63  06/3/2029
  2,781  374.60  07/1/2029
  3,260  319.50  08/1/2029
  3,601  289.29  09/3/2029
  3,864  269.58  10/1/2029
  3,632  286.81  11/1/2029
  3,361  309.99  12/2/2029
  3,158  329.81  01/2/2030
  3,201  358.00  02/3/2030
  3,007  381.05  03/2/2030
  3,147  364.08  04/1/2030
  2,759  415.27  05/1/2030

    

  2,690  425.92  06/1/2030

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                2022 Proxy Statement

73


 Option Awards

Name

Number of

Securities Underlying

Unexercised Options:

Exercisable (#)

Option
Exercise Price
($)

Option

Expiration Date

Rachel Whetstone

 246 381.05 3/2/2030
 257 364.08 4/1/2030
 226 415.27 5/1/2030
 220 425.92 6/1/2030
 193 485.64 7/1/2030
 188 498.62 8/3/2030
 169 556.55 9/1/2030
 177 527.51 10/1/2030
 194 484.12 11/2/2030
 186 504.58 12/1/2030

LOGO

 

 

  Option Awards

 

Name

  

Number of

Securities Underlying

Unexercised Options:

Exercisable (#)

  Option
Exercise Price
($)
  

Option

Expiration Date

Spencer Neumann (continued)

  2,360  485.64  07/1/2030
  2,298  498.62  08/3/2030
  2,058  556.55  09/1/2030
  2,173  527.51  10/1/2030
  2,367  484.12  11/2/2030
  2,270  504.58  12/1/2030
  2,192  522.86  01/4/2031
  2,145  539.04  02/1/2031
  2,100  550.64  03/1/2031
  2,143  539.42  04/1/2031
  2,271  509.11  05/3/2031
  2,317  499.08  06/1/2031
  2,167  533.54  07/1/2031
  2,245  515.15  08/2/2031
  1,986  582.07  09/1/2031
  1,886  613.15  10/1/2031
  1,697  681.17  11/1/2031
   1,872  617.77  12/1/2031

Greg Peters

  7,230  94.37  08/1/2026
  7,007  97.38  09/1/2026
  6,648  102.63  10/3/2026
  5,533  123.30  11/1/2026
  5,821  117.22  12/1/2026
  5,352  127.49  01/3/2027
  4,846  140.78  02/1/2027
  4,783  142.65  03/1/2027
  4,644  146.92  04/3/2027
  4,392  155.35  05/1/2027
  4,186  162.99  06/1/2027
  4,668  146.17  07/3/2027
  3,891  182.03  08/1/2027
  4,054  174.74  09/1/2027
  4,001  177.01  10/2/2027
  3,578  198.00  11/1/2027
  3,791  186.82  12/1/2027
  3,523  201.07  01/2/2028
  5,187  265.07  02/1/2028

    

  4,735  290.39  03/1/2028

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  74

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LOGO

 

 

  Option Awards

 

Name

  

Number of

Securities Underlying

Unexercised Options:

Exercisable (#)

  Option
Exercise Price
($)
  

Option

Expiration Date

Greg Peters (continued)

  4,906  280.29  04/2/2028
  4,389  313.30  05/1/2028
  3,820  359.93  06/1/2028
  3,453  398.18  07/2/2028
  4,063  338.38  08/1/2028
  3,782  363.60  09/4/2028
  3,605  381.43  10/1/2028
  4,332  317.38  11/1/2028
  4,737  290.30  12/3/2028
  5,137  267.66  01/2/2029
  4,168  339.85  02/1/2029
  3,965  357.32  03/1/2029
  3,861  366.96  04/1/2029
  3,739  378.81  05/1/2029
  4,209  336.63  06/3/2029
  3,782  374.60  07/1/2029
  4,434  319.50  08/1/2029
  4,897  289.29  09/3/2029
  5,255  269.58  10/1/2029
  4,939  286.81  11/1/2029
  4,570  309.99  12/2/2029
  4,296  329.81  01/2/2030
  4,015  358.00  02/3/2030
  3,772  381.05  03/2/2030
  3,949  364.08  04/1/2030
  3,461  415.27  05/1/2030
  3,375  425.92  06/1/2030
  2,960  485.64  07/1/2030
  2,883  498.62  08/3/2030
  2,583  556.55  09/1/2030
  2,725  527.51  10/1/2030
  2,969  484.12  11/2/2030
  2,849  504.58  12/1/2030
  2,750  522.86  01/4/2031
  2,666  539.04  02/1/2031
  2,611  550.64  03/1/2031
  2,665  539.42  04/1/2031
  2,823  509.11  05/3/2031
  2,881  499.08  06/1/2031

    

  2,694  533.54  07/1/2031

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  Option Awards

 

Name

  

Number of

Securities Underlying

Unexercised Options:

Exercisable (#)

  Option
Exercise Price
($)
  

Option

Expiration Date

Greg Peters (continued)

  2,790  515.15  08/2/2031
  2,470  582.07  09/1/2031
  2,344  613.15  10/1/2031
  2,111  681.17  11/1/2031
   2,327  617.77  12/1/2031

David Hyman

  3,143  79.58  05/1/2025
  2,807  89.00  06/1/2025
  2,667  93.64  07/1/2025
  2,221  112.56  08/3/2025
  2,363  105.79  09/1/2025
  2,359  105.98  10/1/2025
  2,322  107.64  11/2/2025
  1,994  125.37  12/1/2025
  2,274  109.96  01/4/2026
  4,439  94.09  02/1/2026
  4,249  98.30  03/1/2026
  3,952  105.70  04/1/2026
  4,487  93.11  05/2/2026
  4,115  101.51  06/1/2026
  4,321  96.67  07/1/2026
  4,426  94.37  08/1/2026
  4,290  97.38  09/1/2026
  4,070  102.63  10/3/2026
  3,387  123.30  11/1/2026
  3,564  117.22  12/1/2026
  3,276  127.49  01/3/2027
  1,798  140.78  02/1/2027
  1,775  142.65  03/1/2027
  1,722  146.92  04/3/2027
  1,630  155.35  05/1/2027
  1,553  162.99  06/1/2027
  1,732  146.17  07/3/2027
  1,390  182.03  08/1/2027
  1,449  174.74  09/1/2027
  1,430  177.01  10/2/2027
  1,278  198.00  11/1/2027
  1,355  186.82  12/1/2027
  1,259  201.07  01/2/2028
  2,574  265.07  02/1/2028

    

  2,349  290.39  03/1/2028

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  Option Awards

 

Name

  

Number of

Securities Underlying

Unexercised Options:

Exercisable (#)

  Option
Exercise Price
($)
  

Option

Expiration Date

David Hyman (continued)

  2,435  280.29  04/2/2028
  2,177  313.30  05/1/2028
  1,896  359.93  06/1/2028
  1,713  398.18  07/2/2028
  2,017  338.38  08/1/2028
  1,876  363.60  09/4/2028
  1,789  381.43  10/1/2028
  2,150  317.38  11/1/2028
  2,350  290.30  12/3/2028
  2,549  267.66  01/2/2029
  2,360  339.85  02/1/2029
  2,245  357.32  03/1/2029
  2,186  366.96  04/1/2029
  2,117  378.81  05/1/2029
  2,383  336.63  06/3/2029
  2,141  374.60  07/1/2029
  2,511  319.50  08/1/2029
  2,772  289.29  09/3/2029
  2,976  269.58  10/1/2029
  2,796  286.81  11/1/2029
  2,587  309.99  12/2/2029
  2,432  329.81  01/2/2030
  2,299  358.00  02/3/2030
  2,160  381.05  03/2/2030
  2,260  364.08  04/1/2030
  1,981  415.27  05/1/2030
  1,932  425.92  06/1/2030
  1,695  485.64  07/1/2030
  1,650  498.62  08/3/2030
  1,479  556.55  09/1/2030
  1,560  527.51  10/1/2030
  1,700  484.12  11/2/2030
  1,631  504.58  12/1/2030
  1,573  522.86  01/4/2031
  1,827  539.04  02/1/2031
  1,787  550.64  03/1/2031
  1,825  539.42  04/1/2031
  1,934  509.11  05/3/2031
  1,972  499.08  06/1/2031
  1,845  533.54  07/1/2031

    

  1,911  515.15  08/2/2031

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  Option Awards

 

Name

  

Number of

Securities Underlying

Unexercised Options:

Exercisable (#)

  Option
Exercise Price
($)
  

Option

Expiration Date

David Hyman (continued)

  1,691  582.07  09/1/2031
  1,605  613.15  10/1/2031
  1,445  681.17  11/1/2031
   1,594  617.77  12/1/2031

Rachel Whetstone

  20  290.30  12/3/2028
  137  267.66  01/2/2029
  214  339.85  02/1/2029
  204  357.32  03/1/2029
  199  366.96  04/1/2029
  192  378.81  05/1/2029
  217  336.63  06/3/2029
  195  374.60  07/1/2029
  228  319.50  08/1/2029
  252  289.29  09/3/2029
  271  269.58  10/1/2029
  254  286.81  11/1/2029
  235  309.99  12/2/2029
  221  329.81  01/2/2030
  262  358.00  02/3/2030
  246  381.05  03/2/2030
  257  364.08  04/1/2030
  226  415.27  05/1/2030
  220  425.92  06/1/2030
  193  485.64  07/1/2030
  188  498.62  08/3/2030
  169  556.55  09/1/2030
  177  527.51  10/1/2030
  194  484.12  11/2/2030
  186  504.58  12/1/2030
  179  522.86  01/4/2031
  193  539.04  02/1/2031
  189  550.64  03/1/2031
  194  539.42  04/1/2031
  204  509.11  05/3/2031
  209  499.08  06/1/2031
  195  533.54  07/1/2031
  202  515.15  08/2/2031
  179  582.07  09/1/2031
  170  613.15  10/1/2031
  153  681.17  11/1/2031
   169  617.77  12/1/2031

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OPTION EXERCISESOption Exercises

The following table sets forth information concerning each exercise of stock options during 20202021 for each of the Named Executive Officers on an aggregated basis.

 

Option Awards  Option Awards

Name

Number of Shares

Acquired on Exercise
(#)

Value Realized

on Exercise

($)(1)

  

Number of Shares

Acquired on Exercise
(#)

  

Value Realized

on Exercise

($)(1)

Reed Hastings

 1,327,634 612,125,269    788,508    452,432,715

Ted Sarandos

 105,372 30,045,923    69,707    23,410,294

Spencer Neumann

          

Greg Peters

 37,986 15,038,592    34,504    19,028,557

David Hyman

 26,754 11,968,543    18,116    10,169,476

Rachel Whetstone

          

 

(1)

Dollar value realized on exercise equals the difference between the closing price on the date of exercise less the exercise price of the option and does not necessarily reflect the sales price of the shares or if a sale was made.

POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION ORPotential Payments upon Termination or CHANGE-IN-CONTROLChange-in-Control

The Named Executive Officers are beneficiaries of our Severance Plan, as described in more detail above in “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.” The information below reflects the estimated value of the compensation to be paid by us to each of the Named Executive Officers in the event of termination or a change in control under the terms of the Severance Plan. The amounts shown below assume that termination or change in control was effective as of December 31, 20202021 and is based on 20212022 allocatable compensation, which went into effect prior to the end of the 20202021 fiscal year. The actual amounts that would be paid can only be determined at the time of the actual triggering event.

 

Name

Severance

Benefit

($)(1)

Change in

Control

Benefit

($)(2)

 

Severance

Benefit

($)(1)

 

Change in

Control

Benefit

($)(2)

Reed Hastings

 25,987,500 34,650,000  34,650,000  34,650,000

Ted Sarandos

 25,987,500 34,650,000  40,000,000  40,000,000

Spencer Neumann

 8,662,500 11,550,000  14,000,000  14,000,000

Greg Peters

 14,175,000 18,900,000  24,000,000  24,000,000

David Hyman

 7,087,500 9,450,000  11,000,000  11,000,000

Rachel Whetstone

 3,937,500 5,250,000  6,500,000  6,500,000

 

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(1)

The amounts in this column correspond to lump sum payments in cash that are equal to ninetwelve months of allocatable compensation. The amounts in this column would be payable upon a termination of employment (other than for cause, death, or permanent disability), so long as the Named Executive Officer signs a waiver and release of claims and an agreement not to disparage us, our directors or officers in a form reasonably satisfactory to us. The right to receive a severance benefit terminates upon a change in control transaction, so that the Named Executive Officers are not entitled to both a change in control benefit and a severance benefit.

(2)

The amounts in this column correspond to lump sum payments in cash that are equal to twelve months of allocatable compensation for the Named Executive Officer as of December 31, 2020.2021. These are single-trigger payments that would be made upon a change in control, provided that the Named Executive Officer had not previously received severance under the Severance Plan.

PAY RATIO DISCLOSUREPay Ratio Disclosure

As required by Section 953(b) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K, we are providing the following information about the relationship of the annual total compensation of our employees and the annual total compensation of our Co-Chief Executive Officers, Messrs. Hastings and Sarandos. The pay ratio included in this information is a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K.

As disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table, the 20202021 annual total compensation as determined under Item 402 of Regulation S-K was $43,226,024$40,823,725 for Mr. Hastings and $39,318,251$38,232,164 for Mr. Sarandos. The 20202021 annual total compensation

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as determined under Item 402 of Regulation S-K for our median employee was $219,577.$201,743. Based on the foregoing, our estimate of the ratio of our Co-Chief Executive Officers’ annual total compensation to our median employee’s annual total compensation for fiscal year 20202021 is 197202 to 1, in the case of Mr. Hastings, and 179190 to 1, in the case of Mr. Sarandos.1 Given the different methodologies that various public companies will use to determine an estimate of their pay ratios, the estimated ratio reported above should not be used as a basis for comparison between companies.

To identify the median of the annual total compensation of all our employees, as well as to determine the annual total compensation of the “median employee,” the methodology and the material assumptions, adjustments, and estimates that we used were as follows:

We selected December 31, 2020,2021, which is within the last three months of 2020,2021, as the date upon which we would identify the “median employee.” We also used December 31 as our measuring date in 2019.2020. Consistent with the Summary Compensation Table, we examined total annual compensation for all employees (excluding Messrs. Hastings and Sarandos), which included: base salary, incentive compensation plan payments, option awards consisting of stock options, and other compensation such as 401(k) matching contributions. We annualized the compensation of all full-time and part-time employees who were not employed by us for all of 2020.2021. For employees outside the United States, we converted their compensation to U.S. dollars using the applicable average exchange rate for 2020.2021.

 

1 

While the 20202021 allocatable compensation for Messrs. Hastings and Sarandos were identical, the total compensation amount determined under Item 402 of Regulation S-K and resulting pay ratios differ due to the accounting valuation attributable to their stock option grants.grants and the compensation that was reported for them as “All Other Compensation” for 2021 in the Summary Compensation Table.

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2021 PROXY STATEMENT    65


Proposal 4

Stockholder Proposal

“Proposal 4 - Political Disclosures”

THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY

RECOMMENDS THAT THE

STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “AGAINST”

PROPOSAL FOUR.

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In accordance with SEC rules, we have set forth below a stockholder proposal, along with the supporting statement of the stockholder proponent, for which we and our Board accept no responsibility. The stockholder proposal is required to be voted upon at our Annual Meeting only if properly presented at our Annual Meeting. As explained below, our Board unanimously recommends that you vote “AGAINST” the stockholder proposal.

Myra K. Young, 9295 Yorkship Court, Elk Grove, CA 95758, the beneficial owner of no less than 100 shares of the Company’s common stock on the date the proposal was submitted, has notified the Company of her intent to present the following proposal at the Annual Meeting.

Resolved: Shareholders of Netflix Inc (“Company”) hereby request that our Company provide a report, updated semiannually, disclosing the Company’s:

1.

Policies and procedures for making, with corporate funds or assets, contributions and expenditures (direct or indirect) to (a) participate or intervene in any campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office, or (b) influence the general public, or any segment thereof, with respect to an election or referendum.

2.

Monetary and non-monetary contributions and expenditures (direct and indirect) used in the manner described in section 1 above, including:

a.

The identity of the recipient as well as the amount paid to each; and

b.

The title(s) of the person(s) in the Company responsible for decision-making.

The report shall be presented to the board of directors or relevant board committee and posted on the Company’s website within 12 months from the date of the annual meeting. This proposal does not encompass lobbying spending.

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

As long-term shareholders, we support transparency and accountability in corporate electoral spending. This includes any activity considered intervention in a political campaign under the Internal Revenue Code, such as direct and indirect contributions to political candidates, parties, or organizations, and independent expenditures or electioneering communications on behalf of federal, state, or local candidates.

Disclosure is in the best interest of the company and its shareholders. The Supreme Court recognized this in its 2010 Citizens United decision, which said, “[D]isclosure permits citizens and shareholders to react to the speech of corporate entities in a proper way. This transparency enables the electorate to make informed decisions and give proper weight to different speakers and messages.”

Relying on available data does not provide a complete picture of the Company’s electoral spending. For example, payments to trade associations that may be used for election-related activities are undisclosed and unknown. This proposal asks Netflix to disclose all of its electoral spending, including payments to trade associations and other tax-exempt organizations, which may be used for electoral purposes. This would bring our Company in line with a growing number of leading companies in the 2020 CPA-Zicklin Index.1

Proposals on this topic at Alliant Energy, Macy’s, and Cognizant Technology Solutions passed last in 2019, despite board opposition. In 2020, shareholders of Activation Blizzard, Centene Corporation, J.B. Hunt Transport Services, and Western Union have also passed similar proposals. The Company’s Board and shareholders need comprehensive disclosure to fully evaluate the use of corporate assets in elections. We urge your support for this critical governance reform.

Consider also that our Company maintains a classified board, plurality vote standard for uncontested directors, supermajority requirements to change bylaws, and does not allow shareholders to act by written consent. This, despite the fact that a majority of shares voted to change each of these provisions, sometimes more than once.

Increase Long-Term Shareholder Value

Vote for Political Disclosures—Proposal 4

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1

https://politicalaccountability.net/hifi/files/2020-CPA-Zicklin-Index.pdf

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2021 PROXY STATEMENT    67


NETFLIX OPPOSING STATEMENT

The Board has considered the stockholder proposal and, for the reasons described below, believes that the proposal is not in the best interests of Netflix and our stockholders.

This stockholder proposal is nearly identical to a proposal presented last year and that failed to receive a majority of votes cast. Political contributions are already publicly disclosed. Indeed, U.S. federal and all 50 state election laws require either the contributor or the recipient campaign or committee to publicly file reports disclosing such contributions. Those disclosures are aggregated by a number of groups and are available and easily searchable on public websites. Therefore, we question the benefit of reporting our political contributions in the proposed manner, as it would be duplicative of existing disclosures.

As is noted in the supporting statement, the report requested by the stockholder proposal would specifically include trade association or nonprofit payments that could be used for electoral purposes. We would note that the trade associations Netflix joins for various business-related reasons may also take political or policy positions we do not share, and that are not directly attributable to the membership dues we pay. It can also be difficult for us to assess exactly how our contributions to such organizations could be used, which could make it difficult to comply with this proposal.

While the Board opposes this specific proposal, it acknowledges the interest in greater transparency regarding corporate political contributions. Accordingly, the Board will further evaluate what disclosures are appropriate for the Company to provide regarding political contributions.

For the foregoing reasons, the Board unanimously believes that this proposal is not in the best interests of Netflix or our stockholders, and recommends that you vote “AGAINST” Proposal Four.

Required Vote

The affirmative vote of the majority of the votes cast is required to approve the stockholder proposal. The proposal is precatory and accordingly, is not binding on the Board or the Company.

Netflix Recommendation

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The Board unanimously recommends that the stockholders vote “AGAINST” Proposal Four.

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Proposal 5

Stockholder Proposal

“Proposal 5 - Simple Majority Vote”

        

THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY

RECOMMENDS THAT THE

STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “AGAINST”

PROPOSAL FIVE.

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In accordance with SEC rules, we have set forth below a stockholder proposal, along with the supporting statement of the stockholder proponent, for which we and our Board accept no responsibility. The stockholder proposal is required to be voted upon at our Annual Meeting only if properly presented at our Annual Meeting. As explained below, our Board unanimously recommends that you vote “AGAINST” the stockholder proposal.

John Chevedden, 2215 Nelson Ave., No. 205, Redondo Beach, CA, 90278, the beneficial owner of 10010 shares of the Company’s common stock on the date the proposal was submitted, has notified the Company of his intent to present the following proposal at the Annual Meeting.

RESOLVED, Shareholders request that our board take each step necessary so that each voting requirement in our charter and bylaws (that is explicit or implicit due to default to state law) that calls for a greater than simple majority vote to be eliminated, and replaced by a requirement for a majority of the votes cast for and against applicable proposals, or a simple majority in compliance with applicable laws. If necessary this means the closest standard to a majority of the votes cast for and against such proposals consistent with applicable laws.

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

Shareholders are willing to pay a premium for shares of companies that have excellent corporate governance. Supermajority voting requirements have been found to be one of 6 entrenching mechanisms that are negatively related to company performance according to “What Matters in Corporate Governance” by Lucien Bebchuk, Alma Cohen and Allen Ferrell of the Harvard Law School. Supermajority requirements are used to block initiatives supported by most shareowners but opposed by a status quo management.

This proposal topic won from 74% to 88% support at Weyerhaeuser, Alcoa, Waste Management, Goldman Sachs, FirstEnergy, McGraw-Hill and Macy’s. These votes would have been higher than 74% to 88% if more shareholders had access to independent proxy voting advice. The proponents of these proposals included Ray T. Chevedden and William Steiner.

CurrentlyOur current 67% supermajority vote requirement from all shares outstanding translates into a 2%-minority can frustraterequired 89% vote from the will of our 66%-shareholder majority in an election with 68% of shares casting ballots. In other wordsthat cast ballots at the annual meeting. This is a 2%-minority could havesubstantial barrier to improving the power to prevent shareholders from modernizing thecorporate governance of our company. This can be particularly important during periods of management underperformance and/or an economic downturn. Currently the role of shareholders is downsized because management can simply ignore an overwhelming 66%-vote of shareholders.at Netflix.

This proposal topic won more than 80% support 4-times5-times at Netflix since 2013:

2021 - 90%, 2019- 88%, 2016- 82%, 2015 - 80%, 2013 -81%

Apparently NFLXIn contrast to the above 80%+ votes Netflix shareholders are not pleased with ourvoting against Netflix directors. These are the negative votes against Netflix directors sitting on their hands in regard to this proposal topic in spite of these enormous shareholder votes.2021:

54% of NFLX shares rejected Jay Hoag, who chaired the NFLX Governance Committee, in 2020. Based on this 54% rejection shareholders could consider Mr. Hoag undesirable for reelection to the Board of Electronic Arts, Peloton Interactive, TripAdvisor and Zillow Group if they own stocks in these companies. Reed Hastings and Mathias Dopfner were each rejected by 33% of shares in 2020. If these directors join the Boards of any public company, shareholders who own stock in those companies could consider them undesirable directors.

Richard BartonA whooping [sic] 72% against
Rodolphe Belmer43% against
Bradford Smith58% against
Anne Sweeney46% against

38%49% of shares rejected management pay in 2020. Unfortunately Mr. Timothy Haley, chair2021. Shareholders have the corresponding opportunity to vote against all members of the management pay committee is untouchable by a NFLX shareholder vote untilstanding for election in 2022. If Mr. Haley stands for reelection at 2U, Inc. and ZuroaUnfortunately Netflix management no longer identifies the chairman of the management pay committee in 2021 shareholders in those companies could consider Mr. Haley an undesirable director.the annual meeting proxy.

Please vote yes:

Simple Majority Vote-Proposal 5Vote - Proposal 7

 

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Netflix Opposing Statement

This Proposal 7 requests a simple majority standard in connection with each voting requirement in the Company’s charter and bylaws. The Board has considered the stockholder proposal and for the reasons described below, believesconcluded that the proposalits adoption is unnecessary and would not be in the best interests of Netflix or its stockholders in light of the simple majority standard that we are instead asking stockholders to adopt in Proposal 3.

The Board recommends that the Company’s stockholders oppose this proposal and our stockholders.instead adopt the simple majority standard set out in Proposal 3, which we believe is in line with market practice and responsive to investor concerns requesting the elimination of standards that exceed a simple majority vote.

Although our company has been around for more than 20Over the years, we operate in an extremely dynamic business environment. The global media landscape is undergoing rapid change, much of which we have been pioneering. The competitive landscape in which we operate is also rapidly changing. We face growing competition from companies that have launched similar streaming services and we are increasing our content development. We expect to see substantial shifts in market dynamics over the coming years, and we need to maintain flexibility to execute our long-term strategic initiatives.

A simple majority vote requirement already applies to most corporate matters submitted to a voteengaged with many of our stockholders. We believe thatstockholders who have indicated support for the elimination of supermajority we have in place is appropriate to increase stability in our operations, while still being set low enough for stockholders to have a voice on issues where there is strong consensus.

This proposal has been presented for stockholders most recently in 2020 and received a majority of votes cast.voting provisions. The Board has weighed theconsidered these sentiments, along with stockholders’ prior voting results as part of a regular and ongoing examination of our governance structure. We are also awareon this issue in bringing Proposal 3. Having taken into account stockholder feedback from these conversations, the Board believes that many stockholders, including ours, are supportive of athe simple majority standard. The Board continuesprovisions provided in Proposal 3 is responsive to believe that the current governance structure, including ourstockholder views.

Proposal 3 would eliminate all supermajority standard, is appropriate for this point in our evolution. There is a desire to have some flexibility to implement our long-term plan, and we believe the supermajority standard is important to providing this needed flexibility. This provision ensures that fundamental changes are broadly supported by stockholders, and we continue to believe that it isvoting provisions set forth in the best interest ofCompany’s charter and, contingent on its adoption and upon its effectiveness, the Company has committed to making certain conforming changes to its bylaws (which changes do not require stockholder approval) to eliminate supermajority voting requirements contained therein. Accordingly, the Board believes that this advisory and our stockholders.non-binding stockholder Proposal 7 is unnecessary and confusing, as the simple majority standard provided in Proposal 3 adequately and appropriately addresses investor concerns.

For the foregoing reasons, the Board unanimously believes that this proposal is not in the best interests of Netflix or our stockholders, and recommends that you vote “AGAINST” Proposal Five.7 and instead vote “FOR” Proposal 3.

Required Vote

The affirmative vote of the majority of the Votes Cast is required to approve the stockholder proposal. The proposal is precatory and accordingly, is not binding on the Board or the Company.

Netflix Recommendation

 

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The Board unanimously recommends that the stockholders vote “AGAINST” Proposal Five.7.

 

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Proposal 6

Stockholder Proposal

“Stockholder Proposal to
Improve the Executive
Compensation Philosophy”

 

THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY

RECOMMENDS THAT THE

STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “AGAINST”

PROPOSAL SIX.

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In accordance with SEC rules, we have set forth below a stockholder proposal, along with the supporting statement of the stockholder proponent, for which we and our Board accept no responsibility. The stockholder proposal is required to be voted upon at our Annual Meeting only if properly presented at our Annual Meeting. As explained below, our Board unanimously recommends that you vote “AGAINST” the stockholder proposal.

Jing Zhao, 1745 Copperleaf Ct., Concord, CA 94519,Boston Common Asset Management, 200 State Street, 7th Floor, Boston, MA 02109, the beneficial owner of 8 sharesat least $25,000 of the Company’s common stock on the date the proposal was submitted, has notified the Company of hisits intent to present the following proposal at the Annual Meeting.

Resolved:Whereas, full disclosure of Netflix’s lobbying activities and expenditures to assess whether its lobbying is consistent with Netflix’s expressed goals and stockholder interests.

Resolved, stockholders recommend thatrequest the preparation of a report, updated annually, disclosing:

1. Company policy and procedures governing lobbying, both direct and indirect, and grassroots lobbying communications.

2. Payments by Netflix Inc. improveused for (a) direct or indirect lobbying or (b) grassroots lobbying communications, in each case including the executive compensation philosophy to include CEO pay ratio and other factors.

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

Section 953(b)amount of the Dodd-Frank Actpayment and the recipient.

3. Netflix’s membership in and payments to any tax-exempt organization that writes and endorses model legislation.

4. Description of management’s and the Board’s decision-making process and oversight for making payments described in sections 2 and 3 above.

For purposes of this proposal, a “grassroots lobbying communication” is a communication directed to the SECgeneral public that (a) refers to amend Item 402specific legislation or regulation, (b) reflects a view on the legislation or regulation and (c) encourages the recipient of Regulation S-Kthe communication to require each companytake action with respect to the legislation or regulation. “Indirect lobbying” is lobbying engaged in by a trade association or other organization of which Netflix is a member.

Both “direct and indirect lobbying” and “grassroots lobbying communications” include efforts at the local, state and federal levels.

The report shall be presented to the Audit Committee and posted on Netflix’s website.

Supporting Statement

Netflix spent $8,805,000 from 2012 – 2020 on federal lobbying. This does not include state lobbying expenditures, where Netflix also lobbies but disclosure is uneven or absent. For example, Netflix spent $406,250 on lobbying in California from 2019 – 2020. Netflix lobbies abroad, spending between 700,000 – 799,999 on lobbying in Europe for 2020. According to press reports, Netflix has “focused more of its public policy strategy internationally, where most of its growth lies and where it faces tenacious regulators.”3

Netflix fails to disclose its memberships in or payments to trade associations and social welfare organizations or the annual total compensation of the CEO, the median of the annual total compensation of all employees (except the CEO),amounts used for lobbying, including grassroots. Companies can give unlimited amounts to third party groups that spend millions on lobbying and the ratio of these two amounts (CEO pay ratio). Netflix’s CEO pay ratio was 133:1 in 2017 (2018 Proxy Statement p. 65), 178:1 in 2018 (2019 Proxy Statement p. 47), and 190:1 in 2019 (2020 Proxy Statement p. 70). Since the median of the annual total compensation cannot jump, the rising ratio is dueundisclosed grassroots activity. These groups may be spending “at least double what’s publicly reported.”4 Netflix belongs to the CEO compensation jump from $24,377,499 in 2017 to $36,080,417 in 2018 (48% increase), to $38,577,129 in 2019 (Ibid. p.49).Business Roundtable and Motion Picture Association of America, which together spent $20,260,000 on federal lobbying for 2020.

The section “Determining Executive Compensation Magnitude” lists some philosophical points

3

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/netflix-lobbying-machine-inside-effort-sway-policy-worldwide-1229622/

4

https://theintercept.com/2019/08/06/business-group-spending-on-lobbying-in-washington-is-at-least-double-whats-publiclyreported/.

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We are concerned Netflix’s lack of executive compensation (Ibid. pages 39-40) without any consideration of social and economic factors, such as the CEO pay ratio.

There is no rational methodology or program to determine the executive compensation.disclosure presents reputational risks when its lobbying contradicts company public positions. For example, Twitter’s CEO pay ratio is less than 0.001 in 2018Netflix has drawn attention for supporting voting rights, yet opposing investor proposals for political spending disclosure.5 And while Netflix has attracted scrutiny for avoiding federal income taxes,6 the Business Roundtable has been lobbying against raising corporate taxes to fund health care, education and in 2019, Amazon’s CEO pay ratio is 58:1 in 2018 and in 2019. JCPenney’s alarming CEO pay ratio 1294:1 in 2018 is one causesafety net programs.7

We urge Netflix to expand its bankruptcy. The executive compensations of big Japanese and European companies are much less than big American companies.lobbying disclosure.

As Warren Buffett stated, “There’s class warfare, all right, but it’s my class, the rich class, that’s making war, and we’re winning.” (“In Class Warfare, Guess Which Class Is Winning”, New York Times Nov. 26, 2006.) America’s ballooning executive compensation is neither responsible for the society nor sustainable for the economy, especially under the current social and economical crisis. Reducing the CEO pay ratio should be included to the philosophy of executive compensation. The Compensation Committee has the flexibility to include other social and economic factors.

NETFLIX OPPOSING STATEMENTNetflix Opposing Statement

The Board has considered the stockholder proposal and, for the reasons described below, believes that the proposal is not in the best interests of Netflix and our stockholders. The Board believes that the report requested by the Proposal would be largely duplicative of Netflix’s existing report and is not an effective use of Netflix’s resources.

The Board has considered stockholders’ feedback and provided additional transparency on our political activity

The Board has considered stockholders’ prior vote and statements in support of additional disclosure, during engagement and related to a substantially similar advisory and non-bindingproposal is vaguepresented last year, and unclearhas since taken action. Having taken into account stockholder feedback and therefore would be difficulttheir directly expressed views, we published a Political Activity Disclosures report in January 2022, which includes information on our approach to implement. The proposal failspublic policy advocacy, political contributions, lobbying activities and memberships in trade associations.

Specifically, our Political Activity Disclosures report, among other things, provides the following:

(i) a description of our approach to explain howpublic policy advocacy;

(ii) an overview of management’s and the CEO pay ratioBoard’s decision-making process and “other factors” should be considered in improvingoversight for making lobbying payments (including that our executive compensation philosophy. It is difficultPublic Policy team, which reports directly to determine what actions would be required to change our current executive compensation philosophy to implement the proposal. The proposal also does not specify the “other factors” that should be considered in our compensation philosophy.

Moreover, CEO pay ratios vary widely across companies as different companies may have different employmentChief Legal Officer, oversee regulatory matters and compensation practices. The SEC has statedgovernment affairs and that the purposeNominating and Governance Committee of CEO pay ratio disclosuresour Board reviews the Political Activity Disclosures on an annual basis);

(iii) insight into the reasoning for any lobbying expenditures and trade association memberships;

(iv) access to federal lobbying disclosure reports disclosing the amount we spent on federal lobbying activities;

(v) quantified disclosure of our political contributions during calendar years 2020 and 2021 to candidate campaigns, political party committees, political committees, other political organizations exempt from federal income taxes under IRC Section 527, and ballot measure committees; and

(vi) that the Netflix PAC made no political contributions in 2020 or 2021, and it raised no new funds during that time.

We believe our report, combined with the wide range of additional public disclosure, provides appropriate information to stockholders and other stakeholders

By comparison, the proponent requests additional disclosure regarding payments used for indirect lobbying or grassroots lobbying communication, but the Company may not have visibility or control over such other organizations’ activities. Furthermore, although trade associations that the Company is a member of may engage in lobbying activities, Netflix is a member of trade associations for a variety of reasons not related to facilitatelobbying, including for information gathering and

5

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/netflix-uber-support-u-s-voting-rights-but-oppose-shareholders-push-for-political-lobbyingtransparency-11618440799.

6

https://itep.org/pandemic-profits-netflix-made-record-profits-in-2020-paid-a-tax-rate-of-less-than-1-percent/.

7

https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2021/08/31/business-lobbying-democrats-reconciliation/

 

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  2021 PROXY STATEMENT     73


comparisons among registrantsprofessional development and does not control trade association decision-making. It would be misleading to stockholders to attribute all of such organizations’ activities to the Company. We believe that precise conformity or comparabilityour Political Activity Disclosures report, when taken together with the wide range of the pay ratio across companiesadditional disclosure that is not necessarily achievable given the variety of factors that could cause the ratio to differ, companies may utilize different methodologies, exclusions, estimates and assumptions in calculating their pay ratios. For example, the flexibility of our employees to allocate their compensation to stock options rather than cash makes it difficult to properly evaluate our overall compensation through the use of one metric, such as CEO pay ratio. As a result, the utility of CEO pay ratio as a comparative metric at Netflix and industry-wide is limited.

This proposal appears premised on the erroneous assertion that, “[t]here is no rational methodology or program to determine the executive compensation.” This is simply not true. As described in the section entitled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” above, our compensation program and philosophy are thoughtfully designed and applied. We already consider a number of factors that apply to both executivespublicly available, provides stockholders and the majority ofpublic with appropriate information regarding our employees alike. We aim to pay all employees at the top of their personal marketpolitical contributions and provide highly competitive compensation packages, which enables us to attract and retain the most talented employees from around the globe. The compensation program is designed to be simple, transparent, and to create a long-term alignment with stockholders’ interests.

Our Compensation Committee evaluates our compensation practices on an ongoing basis to determine whether they are appropriate to attract, retain and reward outstanding performers. Our compensation practices also are tailored to account for the specific needs and responsibilities of the particular position as well as the performance and unique qualifications of the individual employee, rather than by seniority or Netflix’s overall performance. We believe this helps us attract and retain the most talented employees from around the globe to drive innovation, creativity, growth and long-term value for our stockholders. The proposal would interfere with this carefully designed compensation program, which we believe is not only effective but integral to our success.

In 2020, we conducted a pay equity analysis and adopted practices to ensure that employees from underrepresented groups are not being underpaid relative to others doing the same or similar work. We also practice “open compensation,” which means the top leaders (director-level and above) at the Company can see how much any employee is paid. This encourages open discussions about pay disparities. We aim to rectify any pay gaps that we find through these approaches.

In summary, our compensation program and philosophy are thoughtfully designed and already consider a number of factors in setting compensation. The vague proposal to include the CEO pay-ratio and “other factors” in our compensation philosophy is unnecessary and would interfere with the ability of the Compensation Committee to optimally design our compensation program in a manner that it believes is in the best interest of the Company and our stockholders.public policy advocacy activities.

For the foregoing reasons, the Board unanimously believes that this proposal is not in the best interests of Netflix or our stockholders, and recommends that you vote “AGAINST” Proposal Six.8.

Required Vote

The affirmative vote of the majority of the Votes Cast is required to approve the stockholder proposal. The proposal is precatory and accordingly, is not binding on the Board or the Company.

Netflix Recommendation

 

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The Board unanimously recommends that the stockholders vote “AGAINST” Proposal Six.8.

 

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OTHER INFORMATION   

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENTSecurity Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

The following table sets forth certain information known to us with respect to beneficial ownership of our common stock as of April 8, 20214, 2022 by (i) each stockholder that we know is the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our common stock, (ii) each director and nominee for director, (iii) each Named Executive Officer, and (iv) all executive officers and directors as a group. We have relied upon information provided to us by our directors and Named Executive Officers and copies of documents sent to us that have been filed with the SEC by others for purposes of determining the number of shares each person beneficially owns. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC and generally includes those persons who have voting or investment power with respect to the securities. Except as otherwise indicated, and subject to applicable community property laws, the persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of our common stock beneficially owned by them. Shares of our common stock subject to options that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of April 8, 20214, 2022 are also deemed outstanding for purposes of calculating the percentage ownership of that person, and if applicable, the percentage ownership of the executive officers and directors as a group, but are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of calculating the percentage ownership of any other person. Unless otherwise indicated, the address for each stockholder listed in the table below is c/o Netflix, Inc., 100 Winchester Circle, Los Gatos, CA 95032.

 

Name and Address

Number of Shares
Beneficially Owned
Percent of
Class
  Number of Shares
Beneficially Owned
  Percent of
Class

The Vanguard Group, Inc.(1)

100 Vanguard Blvd

Malvern, PA 19355

 33,200,737 7.49%    33,560,277    7.55%

Capital Research Global Investors(2)

333 South Hope Street

Los Angeles, CA 90071

 30,232,937 6.82%

BlackRock, Inc.(2)

55 East 52nd Street

New York, NY 10055

    29,228,602    6.58%

BlackRock, Inc.(3)

55 East 52nd Street

New York, NY 10055

 28,731,448 6.48%

Capital Research Global Investors(3)

333 South Hope Street

Los Angeles, CA 90071

    25,966,372    5.84%

Reed Hastings(4)

 7,998,031 1.79%    7,611,449    1.70%

Jay C. Hoag(5)

250 Middlefield Road

Menlo Park, CA 94025

 2,624,183 *    1,714,723    *

Ted Sarandos(6)

 563,134 *    572,994    *

Greg Peters(7)

 286,036 *    286,802    *

David Hyman(8)

 221,563 *    226,857    *

Spencer Neumann(9)

 73,474 *    102,721    *

Richard N. Barton(10)

 49,134 *    33,399    *

Leslie Kilgore(11)

 46,901 *    48,361    *

Timothy M. Haley(12)

c/o Redpoint Ventures

2969 Woodside Road

Woodside, CA 94062

 37,826 *    39,286    *

Bradford L. Smith(13)

 30,371 *    31,831    *

Ann Mather(14)

 16,866 *    17,517    *

Anne M. Sweeney(15)

 8,705 *    10,165    *

Rachel Whetstone(16)

 6,227 *    9,435    *

Mathias Döpfner(17)

 5,143 *    6,603    *

Rodolphe Belmer(18)

 4,543 *    6,002    *

Strive Masiyiwa(19)

 464 *    1,924    *

All directors and executive officers as a group (18 persons)(20)

 11,989,268 2.68%    10,724,264    2.39%

 

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*

Less than 1% of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock.

1.(1)

As of December 31, 2020,2021, based on information provided by The Vanguard Group, Inc. in the Schedule 13G/A filed February 10, 2021.2022. Of the shares beneficially owned, The Vanguard Group, Inc. reported that it has sole dispositive power with respect to 31,246,46331,733,670 shares, shared dispositive power with respect to 1,954,2741,826,607 shares, shared voting power with respect to 758,570746,033 shares, and sole voting power with respect to zero shares.

2.(2)

As of December 31, 2020,2021, based on information provided by BlackRock, Inc. in the Schedule 13G/A filed February 3, 2022. Of the shares beneficially owned, BlackRock, Inc. reported that it has sole dispositive power with respect to all of the shares and sole voting power with respect to 23,924,562 shares.

(3)

As of December 31, 2021, based on information provided by Capital Research Global Investors in the Schedule 13G/A filed February 16, 2021.11, 2022. Of the shares beneficially owned, Capital Research Global Investors reported that it has sole dispositive power with respect to all the shares and sole voting power with respect to 30,224,07425,955,084 shares.

3.

As of December 31, 2020, based on information provided by BlackRock, Inc. in the Schedule 13G/A filed January 29, 2021. Of the shares beneficially owned, BlackRock, Inc. reported that it has sole dispositive power with respect to all of the shares and sole voting power with respect to 24,895,490 shares.

4.(4)

Includes options to purchase 3,075,6392,452,508 shares. Mr. Hastings is a trustee of the Hastings-Quillin Family Trust, which is the holder of 4,922,3925,158,941 of the Company’s shares.

5.(5)

Includes (i) 703,825237,382 common shares that are directly held by TCV VII, L.P. (“TCV VII”), (ii) 365,509123,276 common shares that are directly held by TCV VII (A), L.P. (“TCV VII (A)”), (iii) 6,08616,178 common shares that are directly held by TCV Member Fund, L.P. (“Member Fund”), (iv) 640,434192,130 common shares that are directly held by TCV VIII, L.P. (“TCV VIII”), (v) 51,811 common shares that are directly held by TCV VIII (A), L.P. (“TCV VIII (A)”), (vi) 11,934 common shares that are directly held by TCV VIII (B), L.P. (“TCV VIII (B)”), (vii) 320,217 common shares that are directly held by Orange Investor, L.P. (“Orange Investor”), (v) 172,704(viii) 86,352 common shares that are directly held by Orange Investor (A), L.P. (“Orange Investor (A)”), (vi) 39,777(ix) 19,888 common shares that are directly held by Orange Investor (B), L.P. (“Orange Investor (B)”), (vii) 47,085(x) 23,542 common shares that are directly held by Orange (MF) Investor, L.P. (“Orange Investor (MF)”), (viii)(xi) options to purchase 31,04913,698 common shares held by Jay C. Hoag, (ix) 479,398(xii) 462,477 common shares held by the Hoag Family Trust U/A Dtd 8/2/94 (the “Hoag Family Trust”), and (x) 138,316(xiii) 155,838 common shares held by Hamilton Investments Limited Partnership (“Hamilton Investments”).

Jay C. Hoag and six other individuals (the “Class A Directors of Management VII”) are Class A Directors of Technology Crossover Management VII, Ltd. (“Management VII”) and limited partners of Technology Crossover Management VII, L.P. (“TCM VII”) and Member Fund. Management VII is the general partner of TCM VII, which in turn is the general partner of TCV VII and TCV VII (A). Management VII is also a general partner of Member Fund. The Class A Directors of Management VII and TCM VII may be deemed to beneficially own the shares held by TCV VII, TCV VII (A) and Member Fund, but each disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares except to the extent of its pecuniary interest therein.

Jay C. Hoag and six other individuals (the “Class A Directors of Management VII”) are Class A Directors of Technology Crossover Management VII, Ltd. (“Management VII”) and limited partners of Technology Crossover Management VII, L.P. (“TCM VII”) and Member Fund. Management VII is the general partner of TCM VII, which is the general partner of TCV VII and TCV VII (A). Management VII is also a general partner of Member Fund. The Class A Directors of Management VII and TCM VII may be deemed to beneficially own the shares held by TCV VII, TCV VII (A) and Member Fund, but each disclaim beneficial ownership of such shares except to the extent of their

Mr. Hoag and five other individuals (the “Class A Directors of Management VIII”) are Class A Directors of Technology Crossover Management VIII, Ltd. (“Management VIII”) and limited partners of Technology Crossover Management VIII, L.P. (“TCM VIII”). Management VIII is the general partner of TCM VIII, which in turn is the general partner of TCV VIII, TCV VIII (A) and TCV VIII (B). TCV VIII is the sole member of Orange Investor GP, LLC (“Orange GP”), which in turn is the sole general partner of Orange Investor, Orange (A) Investor, Orange (B) Investor, and Orange (MF) Investor. The Class A Directors of Management VIII and TCM VIII may be deemed to beneficially own the shares held by TCV VIII, TCV VIII (A), TCV VIII (B), Orange Investor, Orange (A) Investor, Orange (B) Investor, and Orange (MF) Investor but each disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares except to the extent of its pecuniary interest therein. The shares held by Orange Investor, Orange (A) Investor, Orange (B) Investor, and Orange (MF) Investor are also pledged as collateral for a third party debt facility.

Mr. Hoag has the sole power to dispose and direct the disposition of the options and any shares issuable upon exercise of the options, and the sole power to direct the vote of the shares of common stock to be received upon exercise of the options. However, with respect to the options, Mr. Hoag has transferred to TCV VII Management, L.L.C. (“TCV VII Management”) and TCV VIII Management, L.L.C. (“TCV VIII Management”) 100% of the pecuniary interest in such options and any shares to be issued upon exercise of such options. Mr. Hoag is a member of TCV VII Management and TCV VIII Management but disclaims beneficial ownership of such options and any shares to be received upon exercise of such options except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.

Mr. Hoag is a trustee of the Hoag Family Trust and may be deemed to have the sole power to dispose or direct the disposition of the shares held by the Hoag Family Trust. Mr. Hoag disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.

Mr. Hoag is the sole general partner and a limited partner of Hamilton Investments and may be deemed to have the sole power to dispose or direct the disposition of the shares held by Hamilton Investments. Mr. Hoag disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.

 

Mr. Hoag and five other individuals (the “Class A Directors of Management VIII”) are Class A Directors of Technology Crossover Management VIII, Ltd. (“Management VIII”) and limited partners of Technology Crossover Management VIII, L.P. (“TCM VIII”). Management VIII is the sole general partner of TCM VIII, which in turn is the sole general partner of TCV VIII, L.P., which in turn is the sole member of Orange Investor GP, LLC (“Orange GP”), which in turn is the sole general partner of Orange Investor, Orange (A) Investor, Orange (B) Investor, and Orange (MF) Investor. The Class A Directors of Management VIII and TCM VIII may be deemed to beneficially own the shares held by Orange Investor, Orange (A) Investor, Orange (B) Investor, and Orange (MF) Investor but each disclaim beneficial ownership of such shares except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein. The shares held by Orange Investor, Orange (A) Investor, Orange (B) Investor, and Orange (MF) Investor are also pledged as collateral for a third party debt facility.

Mr. Hoag has the sole power to dispose and direct the disposition of the options and any shares issuable upon exercise of the options, and the sole power to direct the vote of the shares of common stock to be received upon exercise of the options. However, with respect to the options, Mr. Hoag has transferred to TCV VII Management, L.L.C. (“TCV VII Management”) and TCV VIII Management, L.L.C. (“TCV VIII Management”) 100% of the pecuniary interest in such options and any shares to be issued upon exercise of such options. Mr. Hoag is a member of TCV VII Management and TCV VIII Management but disclaims beneficial ownership of such options and any shares to be received upon exercise of such options except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.

Mr. Hoag is a trustee of the Hoag Family Trust and may be deemed to have the sole power to dispose or direct the disposition of the shares held by the Hoag Family Trust. Mr. Hoag disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.

Mr. Hoag is the sole general partner and a limited partner of Hamilton Investments and may be deemed to have the sole power to dispose or direct the disposition of the shares held by Hamilton Investments. Mr. Hoag disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.

6.(6)

Includes options to purchase 563,134572,994 shares.

7.(7)

Includes options to purchase 272,946273,712 shares.

8.(8)

Includes options to purchase 189,953195,247 shares.

9.(9)

Includes options to purchase 73,474102,721 shares.

10.(10)

Includes options to purchase 31,876 shares. Mr. Barton is a trustee of the Barton Family Foundation, which is the holder of 10,000 of the Company’s33,336 shares.

11.(11)

Includes options to purchase 11,70513,165 shares.

12.(12)

Includes options to purchase 37,82639,286 shares.

13.(13)

Includes options to purchase 23,87225,332 shares.

14.(14)

Includes options to purchase 16,86617,517 shares.

15.(15)

Includes options to purchase 8,70510,165 shares.

16.(16)

Includes options to purchase 5,9129,120 shares.

17.(17)

Includes options to purchase 5,1186,578 shares.

18.(18)

Includes options to purchase 4,5436,002 shares.

19.(19)

Includes options to purchase 4641,924 shares.

20.(20)

Includes without duplication, the6,946,764 shares of common stock and options listed in footnotes (4) through (19) above.to purchase 3,777,500 shares.

DELINQUENT SECTION 16(a) REPORTS

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our executive officers, directors and persons who beneficially own more than ten percent of our ordinary shares to file reports of their beneficial ownership and changes in ownership (Forms 3, 4 and 5, and any amendment thereto) with the SEC.

Based solely on a review of forms filed in the SEC’s EDGAR database and written representations from executive officers and directors, we believe that during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, all filing requirements were satisfied on a timely basis, except that, due to an administrative error: (A) a late Form 4 was filed for each of Richard Barton, Rodolphe Belmer, Mathias Döpfner, Timothy Haley, Reed Hastings, David Hyman, Leslie Kilgore, Ann Mather, Jessica Neal, Spencer Neumann, Greg Peters, Susan Rice, Ted Sarandos, Brad Smith, Anne Sweeney and Rachel Whetstone on September 4, 2020, with respect to stock options granted on September 1, 2020 and (B) a late Form 4 was filed for Mr. Barton on September 4, 2020 with respect to transactions that occurred September 1, 2020.

 

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EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATIONEquity Compensation Plan Information

The following table summarizes our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2020.2021. There were no equity compensation plans or arrangements not approved by security holders.

 

Plan Category

Number of
Securities to
be Issued
Upon
Exercise of
Outstanding
Options,
Warrants,
and Rights

(a)

Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price of
Outstanding
Options,
Warrants,
and Rights

(b)

Number of
Securities
Remaining
Available for
Future
Issuance
Under Equity
Compensation
Plans
(Excluding
Securities
Reflected in
Column (a))

(c)

  

Number of
Securities to
be Issued
Upon
Exercise of
Outstanding
Options,
Warrants,
and Rights

(a)

 

Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price of
Outstanding
Options,
Warrants,
and Rights

(b)

   

Number of
Securities
Remaining
Available for
Future
Issuance
Under Equity
Compensation
Plans
(Excluding
Securities
Reflected in
Column (a))

(c)

 

Equity compensation plans or arrangements approved by security holders:

        

2002 Plan(1)

 416,418 21.26    3,753   10.32     

2011 Plan(2)

 17,446,523 158.02    15,240,680   170.71     

2020 Plan

 813,869 508.30 21,702,085   2,351,418   538.55    20,145,360 

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

              

Total

 18,676,810(3)  170.23 21,702,085   17,595,851(3)   219.83    20,145,360 

 

(1)

Our Amended and Restated 2002 Stock Plan (the “2002 Plan”) terminated in 2012, and no new awards may be issued thereunder. The outstanding options under the 2002 Plan are described in this row.

(2)

No new awards may be issued under the Netflix, Inc. 2011 Stock Plan (the “2011 Plan”) after June 4, 2020. The outstanding options under the 2011 Plan are described in this row.

(3)

Weighted average life is 5.555.37 years.

STOCKHOLDERS SHARING AN ADDRESSStockholders Sharing an Address

Stockholders sharing an address with another stockholder may receive only one Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials at that address unless they have provided contrary instructions. Any such stockholder who wishes to receive a separate Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials now or in the future may write or call Broadridge to request a separate copy from:

Householding Department

Broadridge

51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717

1-866-540-7095

Broadridge will promptly, upon written or oral request, deliver a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, or if requested, a separate copy of its annual report or this Proxy Statement to any stockholder at a shared address to which only a single copy was delivered.

Similarly, stockholders sharing an address with another stockholder who have received multiple copies of the Company’s Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials may write or call the above address and phone number to request delivery of a single copy in the future.

 

 

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2022 Proxy Statement

 

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OTHER MATTERSOther Matters

The Board knows of no other matters that will be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting. If any other matters are properly brought before the Annual Meeting, the persons named in the accompanying proxy intend to vote on those matters in accordance with their best judgment.

By order of the Board

 

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David Hyman

Chief Legal Officer and Secretary

April     23, 2021, 2022

Los Gatos, California

 

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Appendix A

AMENDED AND

RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF

NETFLIX, INC.

a Delaware corporation

ARTICLE I

The name of this corporation is Netflix, Inc. (the “corporation”).

ARTICLE II

The address of the registered office of the corporation in the State of Delaware is Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19801. The name of its registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

ARTICLE III

The nature of the business or purposes to be conducted by the corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of Delaware, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended.

ARTICLE IV

The corporation is authorized to issue two classes of stock, to be designated, respectively, “Common Stock” and “Preferred Stock..The total number of shares which the corporation shall have authority to issue is 5,000,000,000 consisting of 4,990,000,000 shares of common stock and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share.

The Board of Directors of the corporation (the “Board”) is authorized, subject to any limitations prescribed by law, to provide for the issuance of shares of Preferred Stock in series, and to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series, and to fix the designation, powers, preferences, and rights of the shares of each such series and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof.

Each outstanding share of Common Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote on each matter properly submitted to the stockholders of the corporation for their vote; provided, however, that, except as otherwise required by law, holders of Common Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation of Preferred Stock relating to any series of Preferred Stock) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together as a class with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon by law or pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation of Preferred Stock relating to any series of Preferred Stock).

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2021 PROXY STATEMENT    2022 Proxy Statement

 

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ARTICLE V

The following provisions are inserted for the management of the business and the conduct of the affairs of the corporation, and for further definition, limitation and regulation of the powers of the corporation and of its directors and stockholders:

A.        The business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board. In addition to the powers and authority expressly conferred upon them by statute or by this Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the corporation, the directors are hereby empowered to exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by the corporation.

B.        The directors of the corporation need not be elected by written ballot unless the Bylaws so provide.

C.        Any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the corporation must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders of the corporation and may not be effected by any consent in writing by such stockholders.

D.        Special meetings of stockholders of the corporation may be called only by the Chairpersonman of the Board, thea Chief Executive Officer, the President or by the Board acting pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Whole Board, and any power of stockholders tocall a special meeting is specifically deniedor by the Corporate Secretary upon the request, inaccordance with and subject to the Bylaws of the corporation, by stockholders of thecorporation holding continuously for at least one (1) year an aggregate net long position of not less than20% of the outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation entitled to vote at meetingsof the stockholders. Only such business shall be considered at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been stated in the notice for such meeting. For purposes of this Certificate of Incorporation, the term “Whole Board” shall mean the total number of authorized directors of the corporation whether or not there exist any vacancies in previously authorized directorships.

ARTICLE VI

A.        Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, the number of directors shall be fixed from time to time exclusively by the Board pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by a majority of the Board. TheUntil the election of directors at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in2025, the directors, other than those who may be elected by the holders of any series of Preferred Stock under specified circumstances, shall be classified, with respect to the time for which they severally hold office, into three classes, as nearly equal in number as possible, one class tobebeing the class originally elected for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2003 and most recently elected for a term expiring at the annual meeting ofstockholders to be held in 2024, another class to bebeing the class originally elected for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2004 and to be elected at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2022 for a term expiring at the annual meeting ofstockholders to be held in 2025, and another class to bebeing the class originally elected for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2005 and most recently electedfor a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2023, with each class to hold office until its successor is duly elected and qualified. At each succeedingUntil the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2023, directors elected to succeed those directors whose terms expire shall be elected for a term of office to expire at the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders after their election. Commencing with the election of directors at the annualmeeting of stockholders to be held in 2023, all directors shall be elected for a one year termexpiring at the next annual meeting of stockholders, and commencing with the election ofdirectors at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2025, the classification of the Boardshall terminate.

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B.        Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock then outstanding and unless the Board otherwise determines, newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors or any vacancies in the Board resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause shall, unless otherwise provided by law or by resolution of the Board, be filled only by a majority vote of the directors then in office, whether or not less than a quorum, and directors so chosen shall hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders at which the term of office of the class to which they have been chosen expires. No reduction in the authorized number of directors shall have the effect of removing any director before such director’s term of office expires.

C.        Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors and of business to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of the stockholders of the corporation shall be given in the manner provided in and in accordance with the Bylaws of the corporation.

D.        Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, unless otherwise restricted by statute, by the Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the corporation, any director, or all of the directors, may be removed from the Board,but only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3%a majority of the voting power of all of the then outstanding shares of capitalvoting stock of the corporation thenentitled to vote atgenerally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, with orwithout cause; provided that until the election of directors at the annual meeting of stockholdersto be held in 2025, such removal may be only for cause.

ARTICLE VII

The Board is expressly empowered to adopt, amend or repeal any of the Bylaws of the Ccorporation. Any adoption, amendment or repeal of the Bylaws of the corporation by the Board shall require the approval of a majority of the Whole Board. The stockholders shall also have power to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the corporation; provided, however, that, in addition toany vote of the holders of any class or series of stock of the corporation required by law or by this Certificate ofIncorporation, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of the then outstandingshares of voting stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required to adopt, amend or repeal all or any portion of Article II, Section 3.2, Section 3.3, Section 3.4, Section3.15, Article VI or Article IX of the Bylaws of the corporation.

ARTICLE VIII

A director of the corporation shall not be personally liable to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (a) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (b) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (c) under Section 174 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware, or (d) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. If the General Corporation Law of Delaware is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of Delaware as so amended.

The corporation shall indemnify to the fullest extent permitted by law any person made or threatened to be made a party to an action or proceeding, whether criminal, civil, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he, she, his or her testator or intestate is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation (or any predecessor thereof), or serves or served at any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise as a director, officer, employee or agent at the request of the corporation (or any predecessor).

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Any amendment, repeal or modification of the foregoing paragraph shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the corporation existing at the time of such amendment, repeal or modification.

ARTICLE IX

The corporation reserves the right to amend or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation in the manner prescribed by the laws of the State of Delaware and all rights conferred upon stockholders are granted subject to this reservation; provided, however, that,notwithstanding any other provision of this Certificate of Incorporation, or any provision of law that might otherwisepermit a lesser vote or no vote, but in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of the stock of thiscorporation required by law or by this Certificate of Incorporation, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 662/3% of the voting power of the then outstanding shares of voting stock entitled to vote generally in the election ofdirectors, voting together as a single class, shall be required to amend or repeal this Article IX, Article V, Article VI,Article VII or Article VIII.

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Preliminary Copy - Subject to Completion

 

NETFLIX, INC.

100 WINCHESTER CIRCLE

LOS GATOS, CA 95032

 

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VOTE BY INTERNET

BeforeTheMeeting- Go to www.proxyvote.com or scan the QR Barcode above

 

Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 8:59 p.m. Pacific Time on June 2, 2021.1, 2022. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form.

 

During The Meeting - Go to www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/nflx2021NFLX2022

 

You may attend the meeting via the Internet and vote during the meeting. Have the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow available and follow the instructions.

 

VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903

Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 8:59 p.m. Pacific Time on June 2, 2021.1, 2022. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions.

 

VOTE BY MAIL

Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. If you vote by mail, your proxy card must be received by June 1, 2022.

 

TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS:

D39612-P51438D73442-P65804                 KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS

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    DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY

THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED.

 

 

  NETFLIX, INC.

          
 
 

The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following proposals:

 

   

       
 

1.  To elect four Class III directors to hold office until the 20242025
Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

 

   

       
 

       Nominees:

  For          Withhold        
 

1a. Richard N. BartonTimothy Haley

        The Board of Directors recommends you vote AGAINST the following proposals:  For    Against    Abstain  
 

1b. Rodolphe BelmerLeslie KiIgore

        4.7.  

Stockholder proposalProposal entitled, “Proposal 4 – Political Disclosures,” if properly presented at the meeting.

1c. Bradford L. Smith

5.

Stockholder proposal entitled, “Proposal 5 –7 - Simple Majority Vote,” if properly presented at the meeting.

 

          
 

1d. Anne M. Sweeney1c. Strive Masiyiwa

        6.8.  

Stockholder proposalProposal entitled, “Stockholder Proposal to Improve the Executive Compensation Philosophy,“Proposal 8 - Lobbying Activity Report,” if properly presented at the meeting.

 

          

1d. Ann Mather

 

   For    Against    Abstain        
 

2.  To ratifyManagement Proposal: Declassification of the appointmentBoard of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2021.Directors.

                
 

3.  Advisory approvalManagement Proposal: Elimination of the Company’s executive officer compensation.Supermajority Voting Provisions.

                

4.  Management Proposal: Creation of a New Stockholder Right to Call a Special Meeting.

 

5.  Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

6.  Advisory Approval of Executive Officer Compensation.

           
 This proxy should be marked, dated and signed by the stockholder or stockholders exactly as the stockholder’s or stockholders’ name(s) appear(s) hereon, and returned promptly in the enclosed envelope. Persons signing in a fiduciary or representative capacity should so indicate. If shares are held by joint tenants, as community property or otherwise by more than one person, all should sign.

 

       
           
                          
                          
 Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX]  Date    Signature (Joint Owners)  Date    
           


 

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting:

The Notice and Proxy Statement and Annual Report are available at www.proxyvote.com.

 

 

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D39613-P51438D73443-P65804

 

 

FORMOFPROXY

NETFLIX,INC.

ANNUALMEETINGOFSTOCKHOLDERS

JUNE 3, 20212, 2022

THISPROXYISSOLICITEDON BEHALFOFTHEBOARDOFDIRECTORS

The undersigned stockholder of Netflix, Inc. (the “Company”) hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement, each dated April     23, 2021,, 2022, and hereby appoints David Hyman and Spencer Neumann, and each of them, with full power of substitution, as proxy or proxies to vote all shares of the Company’s common stock of the undersigned at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Netflix, Inc. to be held on June 3, 2021,2, 2022, and at any adjournments thereof, upon the proposals set forth in this proxy and described in the Proxy Statement, and in their discretion with respect to such other matters as may be properly brought before the meeting or any adjournments thereof.

If this proxy is properly executed and returned, this proxy will be voted for the specifications made on the reverse side or if no direction is made, this proxy will be voted FOR the nominees for Class III directors set forth on the reverse side (item 1), FOR items 2, 3, 4, 5 and 3,6, and AGAINST items 4, 5,7 and 6,8, and in the discretion of the proxies on all other matters as may be properly brought before the meeting or any adjournments thereof.

Either of such proxies or substitutes shall have and may exercise all of the powers of said proxies hereunder.

 

 

 

 

Continuedand tobe signedon reverse reverseside