Netflix (NFLX) 10-Q 18 Oct 17 2017 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document And Entity Information

Document And Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017shares
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	NETFLIX INC
Entity Central Index Key	1,065,280
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	432,731,130

Consolidated Statements of Oper

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 2,984,859	$ 2,290,188	$ 8,406,958	$ 6,353,128
Cost of revenues	1,992,980	1,532,844	5,552,312	4,375,482
Marketing	312,490	282,043	858,083	706,082
Technology and development	255,236	216,099	779,427	626,907
General and administrative	215,526	153,166	623,760	418,798
Operating income	208,627	106,036	593,376	225,859
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(60,688)	(35,536)	(162,912)	(106,528)
Interest and other income (expense)	(31,702)	8,627	(76,473)	50,907
Income before income taxes	116,237	79,127	353,991	170,238
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	(13,353)	27,610	(19,421)	50,308
Net income	$ 129,590	$ 51,517	$ 373,412	$ 119,930
Earnings per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.30	$ 0.12	$ 0.87	$ 0.28
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.29	$ 0.12	$ 0.84	$ 0.27
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	432,404	428,937	431,473	428,514
Diluted (in shares)	447,362	438,389	446,367	438,180

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 129,590	$ 51,517	$ 373,412	$ 119,930
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	5,678	2,357	22,604	5,453
Change in unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax of $212, $(412), $378, and $810, respectively	328	(676)	599	1,325
Total other comprehensive income	6,006	1,681	23,203	6,778
Comprehensive income	$ 135,596	$ 53,198	$ 396,615	$ 126,708

Consolidated Statements of Com4

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Change in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, tax	$ 212	$ (412)	$ 378	$ 810

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 129,590	$ 51,517	$ 373,412	$ 119,930
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
Additions to streaming content assets	(2,315,017)	(2,442,080)	(7,328,104)	(6,550,445)
Change in streaming content liabilities	(34,587)	529,885	846,560	1,674,125
Amortization of streaming content assets	1,627,477	1,224,108	4,483,954	3,457,990
Amortization of DVD content assets	13,259	19,284	48,368	59,746
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and intangibles	19,238	14,410	52,838	43,339
Stock-based compensation expense	44,763	43,495	133,679	130,029
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	0	(12,762)	0	(37,401)
Other non-cash items	9,896	9,682	43,081	31,479
Foreign currency remeasurement loss on long-term debt	50,830	0	115,050	0
Deferred taxes	(57,090)	14,338	(104,556)	(20,141)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Other current assets	(41,399)	10,250	(147,000)	48,649
Accounts payable	34,029	27,810	10,590	16,707
Accrued expenses	74,006	28,957	119,506	72,288
Deferred revenue	32,947	30,230	94,777	80,485
Other non-current assets and liabilities	(7,549)	(11,065)	(40,146)	(43,604)
Net cash used in operating activities	(419,607)	(461,941)	(1,297,991)	(916,824)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions of DVD content assets	(10,217)	(17,249)	(43,213)	(58,380)
Purchases of property and equipment	(33,963)	(27,366)	(151,717)	(46,605)
Change in other assets	(1,107)	125	(2,940)	676
Purchases of short-term investments	(2,799)	(128,136)	(74,819)	(181,590)
Proceeds from sale of short-term investments	250,278	171,747	320,154	198,687
Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments	0	24,855	22,705	112,555
Net cash provided by investing activities	202,192	23,976	70,170	25,343
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of debt	0	0	1,420,510	0
Issuance costs	(312)	0	(15,325)	0
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	34,669	3,819	73,673	11,587
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	0	12,762	0	37,401
Other financing activities	65	58	189	170
Net cash provided by financing activities	34,422	16,639	1,479,047	49,158
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	10,685	(441)	27,667	2,151
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(172,308)	(421,767)	278,893	(840,172)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	1,918,777	1,390,925	1,467,576	1,809,330
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	1,746,469	969,158	1,746,469	969,158
Supplemental disclosure:
Change in investing activities included in liabilities	$ (6,876)	$ 17,243	$ (27,041)	$ 15,486

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,746,469	$ 1,467,576
Short-term investments	0	266,206
Current content assets, net	4,223,387	3,726,307
Other current assets	415,492	260,202
Total current assets	6,385,348	5,720,291
Non-current content assets, net	9,739,704	7,274,501
Property and equipment, net	322,421	250,395
Other non-current assets	504,067	341,423
Total assets	16,951,540	13,586,610
Current liabilities:
Current content liabilities	4,142,086	3,632,711
Accounts payable	301,443	312,842
Accrued expenses	331,723	197,632
Deferred revenue	535,425	443,472
Total current liabilities	5,310,677	4,586,657
Non-current content liabilities	3,296,504	2,894,654
Long-term debt	4,888,783	3,364,311
Other non-current liabilities	128,215	61,188
Total liabilities	13,624,179	10,906,810
Commitments and contingencies (Note 6)
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 4,990,000,000 shares authorized at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016; 432,731,130 and 430,054,212 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively	1,807,123	1,599,762
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(25,362)	(48,565)
Retained earnings	1,545,600	1,128,603
Total stockholders’ equity	3,327,361	2,679,800
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 16,951,540	$ 13,586,610

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Common stock, par value (dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized (shares)	4,990,000,000	4,990,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (shares)	432,731,130	430,054,212
Common stock, shares outstanding (shares)	432,731,130	430,054,212

Basis of Presentation and Summa

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies The accompanying interim consolidated financial statements of Netflix, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (the “Company”) have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S.”) and are consistent in all material respects with those applied in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on January 27, 2017. The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the streaming content asset amortization policy; the recognition and measurement of income tax assets and liabilities; and the valuation of stock-based compensation. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. On a regular basis, the Company evaluates the assumptions, judgments and estimates. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The interim financial information is unaudited, but reflects all normal recurring adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to fairly present the information set forth herein. The interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 . Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results for a full year. The Company has three reportable segments: Domestic streaming, International streaming and Domestic DVD, all of which derive revenue from monthly membership fees. See Note 10 for further detail on the Company's segments. There have been no material changes in the Company’s significant accounting policies, other than the adoption of Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-09 described below and in Note 9 and ASU 2017-01 described below, as compared to the significant accounting policies described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 . Recently adopted accounting pronouncements In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting , which amends Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation . ASU 2016-09 simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. Under the new standard, all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies are recorded as a component of the provision for income taxes in the reporting period in which they occur. Additionally, ASU 2016-09 requires that the Company present excess tax benefits on the Statement of Cash Flows as an operating activity. ASU 2016-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company adopted ASU 2016-09 in the first quarter of 2017 and elected to apply this adoption prospectively. Prior periods have not been adjusted. See Note 9 for information regarding the impact on the Company’s financial statements. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business. The standard provides guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. If substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired (or disposed of) is concentrated in a single asset or a group of similar assets, the assets acquired (or disposed of) are not considered a business. ASU 2017-01 is effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (including interim periods within those periods) with early adoption permitted. The Company early adopted the standard in the third quarter of 2017 on a prospective basis and the impact on its consolidated financial statements was not material. Recently issued accounting pronouncements not yet adopted In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) which amended the existing accounting standards for revenue recognition. ASU 2014-09 establishes principles for recognizing revenue upon the transfer of promised goods or services to customers, in an amount that reflects the expected consideration received in exchange for those goods or services. In July 2015, the FASB deferred the effective date for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (including interim reporting periods within those periods). Early adoption is permitted to the original effective date for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 (including interim reporting periods within those periods). The amendments may be applied retrospectively to each prior period (full retrospective) or retrospectively with the cumulative effect recognized as of the date of initial application (modified retrospective). The Company will adopt ASU 2014-09 in the first quarter of 2018 using the modified retrospective approach. Because the Company's primary source of revenues is from monthly membership fees which are recognized ratably over each monthly membership period, the Company does not expect the impact on its consolidated financial statements to be material. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) in order to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for those leases classified as operating leases under previous GAAP. ASU 2016-02 requires that a lessee should recognize a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term on the balance sheet. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 (including interim periods within those periods) using a modified retrospective approach and early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt ASU 2016-02 in the first quarter of 2019. Although the Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of the ASU on its consolidated financial statements, the Company currently believes the most significant changes will be related to the recognition of new right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on the Company's balance sheet for real estate operating leases. In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Restricted Cash , which requires amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the total beginning and ending amounts for the periods shown on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-18 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 (including interim periods within those periods) using a retrospective transition method to each period presented and early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt ASU 2016-18 in the first quarter of 2018 and does not expect the impact on its consolidated financial statements to be material.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	Earnings Per Share Basic earnings per share is computed using the weighted-average number of outstanding shares of common stock during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed using the weighted-average number of outstanding shares of common stock and, when dilutive, potential common shares outstanding during the period. Potential common shares consist of incremental shares issuable upon the assumed exercise of stock options. The computation of earnings per share is as follows: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30, (in thousands, except per share data) Basic earnings per share: Net income $ 129,590 $ 51,517 $ 373,412 $ 119,930 Shares used in computation: Weighted-average common shares outstanding 432,404 428,937 431,473 428,514 Basic earnings per share $ 0.30 $ 0.12 $ 0.87 $ 0.28 Diluted earnings per share: Net income $ 129,590 $ 51,517 $ 373,412 $ 119,930 Shares used in computation: Weighted-average common shares outstanding 432,404 428,937 431,473 428,514 Employee stock options 14,958 9,452 14,894 9,666 Weighted-average number of shares 447,362 438,389 446,367 438,180 Diluted earnings per share $ 0.29 $ 0.12 $ 0.84 $ 0.27 Employee stock options with exercise prices greater than the average market price of the common stock were excluded from the diluted calculation as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. The following table summarizes the potential common shares excluded from the diluted calculation: Three Months Ended Nine months ended September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30, (in thousands) Employee stock options 187 2,559 213 1,942

Short-term Investments

Short-term Investments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Short-Term Investments And Fair Value Measurement [Abstract]
Short-term Investments	Short-term Investments In July 2017, the Company sold all short-term investments. As of September 30, 2017 , $13.9 million and $1.3 million of money market funds, classified as Level 1 securities, were included in Cash and cash equivalents and Non-current assets, respectively, on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet. Additionally, $3.6 million of restricted cash is included in Non-current assets on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet. The following table summarizes, by major security type, the Company’s assets at December 31, 2016 that were measured at fair value, the category using the fair value hierarchy and where they are classified on the Consolidated Balance Sheets: As of December 31, 2016 Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Estimated Fair Value Cash and cash equivalents Short-term investments Non-current assets (1) (in thousands) Cash $ 1,267,523 $ — $ — $ 1,267,523 $ 1,264,126 $ — $ 3,397 Level 1 securities: Money market funds 204,967 — — 204,967 203,450 — 1,517 Level 2 securities: Corporate debt securities 199,843 110 (731 ) 199,222 — 199,222 — Government securities 35,944 — (128 ) 35,816 — 35,816 — Certificates of deposit 9,833 — — 9,833 — 9,833 — Agency securities 21,563 — (228 ) 21,335 — 21,335 — Total $ 1,739,673 $ 110 $ (1,087 ) $ 1,738,696 $ 1,467,576 $ 266,206 $ 4,914 (1) Primarily restricted cash that is related to workers compensation deposits and letter of credit agreements. Fair value is a market-based measurement that is determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. The hierarchy level assigned to each security in the Company’s available-for-sale portfolio and cash equivalents is based on its assessment of the transparency and reliability of the inputs used in the valuation of such instrument at the measurement date. The fair value of available-for-sale securities and cash equivalents included in the Level 1 category is based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market. The fair value of available-for-sale securities included in the Level 2 category is based on observable inputs, such as quoted prices for similar assets at the measurement date; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly. These values were obtained from an independent pricing service and were evaluated using pricing models that vary by asset class and may incorporate available trade, bid and other market information and price quotes from well-established independent pricing vendors and broker-dealers. The Company's procedures include controls to ensure that appropriate fair values are recorded, such as comparing prices obtained from multiple independent sources. See Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements for further information regarding the fair value of the Company’s senior notes. There were no material gross realized gains or losses in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Balance Sheet Components

Balance Sheet Components	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Balance Sheet Components Disclosure [Abstract]
Balance Sheet Components	Balance Sheet Components Content Assets Content assets consisted of the following: As of September 30, December 31, (in thousands) Licensed content, net $ 11,462,217 $ 9,595,315 Produced content, net Released, less amortization 984,945 335,400 In production 1,338,208 1,010,463 In development and pre-production 163,393 34,215 2,486,546 1,380,078 DVD, net 14,328 25,415 Total $ 13,963,091 $ 11,000,808 Current content assets, net $ 4,223,387 $ 3,726,307 Non-current content assets, net $ 9,739,704 $ 7,274,501 Produced content is included in "Non-current content assets, net" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Certain original content is licensed and therefore not included in produced content. Of the produced content that has been released, approximately 29% , 79% and over 80% of the unamortized cost is expected to be amortized over the next twelve, thirty-six and forty-eight months, respectively. The amount of accrued participations and residuals is not material. Property and Equipment, Net Property and equipment and accumulated depreciation consisted of the following: As of September 30, December 31, Estimated Useful Lives (in thousands) Information technology assets $ 225,988 $ 185,345 3 years Furniture and fixtures 47,312 32,185 3 years Buildings 40,681 40,681 30 years Leasehold improvements 218,242 107,945 Over life of lease DVD operations equipment 68,196 70,152 5 years Corporate aircraft 29,391 — 8 years Capital work-in-progress 14,412 108,296 Property and equipment, gross 644,222 544,604 Less: Accumulated depreciation (321,801 ) (294,209 ) Property and equipment, net $ 322,421 $ 250,395 The decrease in capital work-in-progress from December 31, 2016 is primarily due to leasehold improvements for the Company's expanded Los Gatos, California headquarters and the Company's new Los Angeles, California facility, both of which were placed into operation in the first quarter of 2017.

Long-term Debt

Long-term Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-term Debt	Long-term Debt As of September 30, 2017 , the Company had aggregate outstanding long-term debt of $4,888.8 million , net of $46.8 million of issuance costs, with varying maturities (the "Notes"). Each of the Notes were issued at par and are senior unsecured obligations of the Company. Interest is payable semi-annually at fixed rates. The following table provides a summary of the Company's Notes and the fair values based on quoted market prices in less active markets as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 : Level 2 Fair Value as of Principal Amount at Par Issuance Date Maturity Interest Payment Dates September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 (in millions) (in millions) 3.625% Senior Notes (1) $ 1,535.6 May 2017 2027 May 15 and November 15 $ 1,563 $ — 4.375% Senior Notes 1,000.0 October 2016 2026 May 15 and November 15 1,006 975 5.50% Senior Notes 700.0 February 2015 2022 April 15 and October 15 765 758 5.875% Senior Notes 800.0 February 2015 2025 April 15 and October 15 879 868 5.750% Senior Notes 400.0 February 2014 2024 March 1 and September 1 436 431 5.375% Senior Notes 500.0 February 2013 2021 February 1 and August 1 539 539 $ 4,935.6 (1) Debt is denominated in euro with a €1,300 million aggregate principal amount and is remeasured into U.S. dollars at each balance sheet date. Total proceeds were $1,420.5 million and remeasurement loss on long-term debt was $50.8 million and $115.1 million for the three and nine months ending September 30, 2017 , respectively. Each of the Notes are repayable in whole or in part upon the occurrence of a change of control, at the option of the holders, at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal plus accrued interest. The Company may redeem the Notes prior to maturity in whole or in part at an amount equal to the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and an applicable premium. The Notes include, among other terms and conditions, limitations on the Company's ability to create, incur or allow certain liens; enter into sale and lease-back transactions; create, assume, incur or guarantee additional indebtedness of certain of the Company's subsidiaries; and consolidate or merge with, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of the Company's and its subsidiaries assets, to another person. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , the Company was in compliance with all related covenants. Revolving Credit Facility In July 2017, the Company entered into a $500.0 million unsecured revolving credit facility (“Revolving Credit Agreement”), with an uncommitted incremental facility to increase the amount of the revolving credit facility by up to an additional $250.0 million , subject to certain terms and conditions. Revolving loans may be borrowed, repaid and reborrowed until July 27, 2022, at which time all amounts borrowed must be repaid. The Company may use the proceeds of future borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement for working capital and general corporate purposes. As of September 30, 2017 , no amounts have been borrowed under the Revolving Credit Agreement. The borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement bear interest, at the Company’s option, of either a floating rate equal to a base rate (the “Alternate Base Rate”) or (ii) a rate equal to an adjusted London interbank offered rate (the “Adjusted LIBO Rate”), plus a margin of 0.75% . The Alternate Base Rate is defined as the greatest of (A) the rate of interest published by the Wall Street Journal, from time to time, as the prime rate, (B) the federal funds rate, plus 0.500% and (C) the Adjusted LIBO Rate for a one-month interest period, plus 1.00% . The Adjusted LIBO Rate is defined as the London interbank offered rate for deposits in U.S. dollars, for the relevant interest period, adjusted for statutory reserve requirements, but in no event shall the Adjusted LIBO Rate be less than 0.00% per annum. The Company is also obligated to pay a commitment fee on the undrawn amounts of the Revolving Credit Agreement at a rate of 0.10% . The Revolving Credit Agreement requires the Company to comply with certain covenants, including covenants that limit or restrict the ability of the Company’s subsidiaries to incur debt and limit or restrict the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to grant liens and enter into sale and leaseback transactions; and, in the case of the Company or a guarantor, merge, consolidate, liquidate, dissolve or sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole. As of September 30, 2017 , the Company was in compliance with all related covenants.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies Streaming Content As of September 30, 2017 , the Company had $17.0 billion of obligations comprised of $4.1 billion included in "Current content liabilities" and $3.3 billion of "Non-current content liabilities" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and $9.6 billion of obligations that are not reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as they did not yet meet the criteria for asset recognition. As of December 31, 2016 , the Company had $14.5 billion of obligations comprised of $3.6 billion included in "Current content liabilities" and $2.9 billion of "Non-current content liabilities" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and $8.0 billion of obligations that are not reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as they did not yet meet the criteria for asset recognition. The expected timing of payments for these streaming content obligations is as follows: As of September 30, December 31, (in thousands) Less than one year $ 6,984,360 $ 6,200,611 Due after one year and through three years 7,918,009 6,731,336 Due after three years and through five years 1,918,123 1,386,934 Due after five years 171,438 160,606 Total streaming content obligations $ 16,991,930 $ 14,479,487 Content obligations include amounts related to the acquisition, licensing and production of streaming content. Obligations that are in non-U.S. dollar currencies are translated to the U.S. dollar at period end rates. An obligation for the production of content includes non-cancelable commitments under creative talent and employment agreements. An obligation for the acquisition and licensing of content is incurred at the time the Company enters into an agreement to obtain future titles. Once a title becomes available, a content liability is recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Certain agreements include the obligation to license rights for unknown future titles, the ultimate quantity and/or fees for which are not yet determinable as of the reporting date. Traditional film output deals, or certain TV series license agreements where the number of seasons to be aired is unknown, are examples of such license agreements. The Company does not include any estimated obligation for these future titles beyond the known minimum amount. However, the unknown obligations are expected to be significant. Legal Proceedings From time to time, in the normal course of its operations, the Company is subject to litigation matters and claims, including claims relating to employee relations, business practices and patent infringement. Litigation can be expensive and disruptive to normal business operations. Moreover, the results of complex legal proceedings are difficult to predict and the Company's view of these matters may change in the future as the litigation and events related thereto unfold. The Company expenses legal fees as incurred. The Company records a provision for contingent losses when it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. An unfavorable outcome to any legal matter, if material, could have an adverse effect on the Company's operations or its financial position, liquidity or results of operations. The Company is involved in litigation matters not listed herein but does not consider the matters to be material either individually or in the aggregate at this time. The Company's view of the matters not listed may change in the future as the litigation and events related thereto unfold. Indemnification In the ordinary course of business, the Company has entered into contractual arrangements under which it has agreed to provide indemnification of varying scope and terms to business partners and other parties with respect to certain matters, including, but not limited to, losses arising out of the Company’s breach of such agreements and out of intellectual property infringement claims made by third parties. In these circumstances, payment may be conditional on the other party making a claim pursuant to the procedures specified in the particular contract. The Company's obligations under these agreements may be limited in terms of time or amount, and in some instances, the Company may have recourse against third parties for certain payments. In addition, the Company has entered into indemnification agreements with its directors and certain of its officers that will require it, among other things, to indemnify them against certain liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as directors or officers. The terms of such obligations vary. It is not possible to make a reasonable estimate of the maximum potential amount of future payments under these or similar agreements due to the conditional nature of the Company’s obligations and the unique facts and circumstances involved in each particular agreement. No amount has been accrued in the accompanying consolidated financial statements with respect to these indemnification obligations.

Stockholders' Equity

Stockholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Stockholders' Equity and Stock-based Compensation Disclosure [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	Stockholders’ Equity Stock Option Plan In June 2011, the Company adopted the 2011 Stock Plan. The 2011 Stock Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options to employees and for the grant of non-statutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and restricted stock units to employees, directors and consultants. As of September 30, 2017 , 11.3 million shares were reserved for future grants under the 2011 Stock Plan. A summary of the activities related to the Company’s stock option plans is as follows: Options Outstanding Shares Number of Weighted- (per share) Weighted-Average Remaining Aggregate Balances as of December 31, 2016 13,289,953 22,437,347 $ 44.83 Granted (1,988,266 ) 1,988,266 151.82 Exercised — (2,676,918 ) 27.53 Expired — (1,561 ) 3.25 Balances as of September 30, 2017 11,301,687 21,747,134 $ 56.74 6.04 $ 2,709,943 Vested and exercisable as of September 30, 2017 21,747,134 $ 56.74 6.04 $ 2,709,943 The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pretax intrinsic value (the difference between the Company’s closing stock price on the last trading day of the third quarter of 2017 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options on the last trading day of the third quarter of 2017 . This amount changes based on the fair market value of the Company’s common stock. A summary of the amounts related to option exercises, is as follows: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30, (in thousands) Total intrinsic value of options exercised $ 142,664 $ 35,443 $ 351,488 $ 104,168 Cash received from options exercised 34,669 3,819 73,673 11,587 Stock-based Compensation Stock options granted are exercisable for the full ten year contractual term regardless of employment status. The following table summarizes the assumptions used to value option grants using the lattice-binomial model and the valuation data: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30, Dividend yield — % — % — % — % Expected volatility 34 % 41 % 34% - 37% 41% - 50% Risk-free interest rate 2.24 % 1.57 % 2.24% - 2.45% 1.57% - 2.04% Suboptimal exercise factor 2.58 2.48 2.48 - 2.58 2.48 Weighted-average fair value (per share) $ 72.98 $ 44.68 $ 67.23 $ 47.79 Total stock-based compensation expense (in thousands) $ 44,763 $ 43,495 $ 133,679 $ 130,029 Total income tax impact on provision (in thousands) $ 14,428 $ 16,294 $ 43,606 $ 48,828 The Company considers several factors in determining the suboptimal exercise factor, including the historical and estimated option exercise behavior. The Company calculates expected volatility based solely on implied volatility. The Company believes that implied volatility of publicly traded options in its common stock is more reflective of market conditions, and given consistently high trade volumes of the options, can reasonably be expected to be a better indicator of expected volatility than historical volatility of its common stock. In valuing shares issued under the Company’s employee stock option plans, the Company bases the risk-free interest rate on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with terms similar to the contractual term of the options. The Company does not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future and therefore uses an expected dividend yield of zero in the option valuation model. The Company does not use a post-vesting termination rate as options are fully vested upon grant date.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss The following table summarizes the changes in the accumulated balance of other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 : Foreign currency Change in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities Total (in thousands) Balance as of June 30, 2017 $ (31,040 ) $ (328 ) $ (31,368 ) Other comprehensive income before reclassifications 5,678 328 6,006 Net decrease in other comprehensive loss 5,678 328 6,006 Balances as of September 30, 2017 $ (25,362 ) $ — $ (25,362 ) Foreign currency Change in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities Total (in thousands) Balances as of December 31, 2016 $ (47,966 ) $ (599 ) $ (48,565 ) Other comprehensive income before reclassifications 22,604 599 23,203 Net decrease in other comprehensive loss 22,604 599 23,203 Balances as of September 30, 2017 $ (25,362 ) $ — $ (25,362 ) The amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss were immaterial for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 .

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The effective tax rates for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 were (11)% and 35% , respectively. The effective tax rates for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 were (5)% and 30% , respectively. The effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 differed from the Federal statutory rate primarily due to the recognition of excess tax benefits as a component of the provision for income taxes attributable to the adoption of ASU 2016-09 and Federal and California research and development ("R&D") credits, partially offset by state taxes, foreign taxes, and non-deductible expenses. The effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 differed from the Federal statutory rate primarily due to Federal and California R&D credits partially offset by state taxes, foreign taxes and non-deductible expenses. The decrease in effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 as compared to the same period in 2016 was due primarily to the recognition of excess tax benefits attributable to the adoption of ASU 2016-09 and an increase in foreign income taxed at rates lower than the US statutory rate. Gross unrecognized tax benefits were $37.2 million and $19.7 million as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively. The gross unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized by the Company, will result in a reduction of approximately $33.3 million to the provision for income taxes thereby favorably impacting the Company’s effective tax rate. As of September 30, 2017 , gross unrecognized tax benefits of $15.8 million was classified as “Other non-current liabilities” and $21.4 million as a reduction to deferred tax assets which was classified as "Other non-current assets" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company includes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within the "Provision (benefit) for income taxes" on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and “Other non-current liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Interest and penalties included in the Company’s “Provision (benefit) for income taxes” were not material in any of the periods presented. Deferred tax assets of $374.0 million and $227.2 million were classified as “Other non-current assets” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively. In evaluating its ability to realize the net deferred tax assets, the Company considered all available positive and negative evidence, including its past operating results and the forecast of future market growth, forecasted earnings, future taxable income, and prudent and feasible tax planning strategies. As of September 30, 2017 , the Company has a valuation allowance of $33.1 million primarily due to foreign tax credit carryovers. As of December 31, 2016 , it was considered more likely than not that substantially all deferred tax assets would be realized. As a result of the adoption of ASU 2016-09 in the first quarter of 2017, the Company recorded a cumulative effect adjustment to increase retained earnings by $43.6 million with a corresponding increase to deferred tax assets for the Federal and state net operating losses attributable to excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation which had not been previously recognized. All excess tax benefits and deficiencies in the current and future periods will be recognized as income tax expense in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Operations in the reporting period in which they occur. This will result in increased volatility in the Company’s effective tax rate. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 , the Company recognized a discrete tax benefit related to the excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation of $41.7 million and $110.5 million , respectively. The Company files U.S. Federal, state and foreign tax returns. The Company is currently under examination by the IRS for 2014 and 2015. The 2008 through 2015 state tax returns are subject to examination by state tax authorities. The Company has no significant foreign jurisdiction audits underway. The years 2011 through 2016 remain subject to examination by foreign tax authorities. Given the potential outcome of the current examinations as well as the impact of the current examinations on the potential expiration of the statute of limitations, it is reasonably possible that the balance of unrecognized tax benefits could significantly change within the next twelve months. At this time, an estimate of the range of reasonably possible adjustments to the balance of unrecognized tax benefits cannot be made.

Segment Information

Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	Segment Information The Company has three reportable segments: Domestic streaming, International streaming and Domestic DVD. Segment information is presented in the same manner that the Company’s chief operating decision maker ("CODM") reviews the operating results in assessing performance and allocating resources. The Company’s CODM reviews revenues and contribution profit (loss) for each of the reportable segments. Contribution profit (loss) is defined as revenues less cost of revenues and marketing expenses incurred by the segment. The Company has aggregated the results of the International operating segments into one reportable segment because these operating segments share similar long-term economic and other qualitative characteristics. The Domestic streaming segment derives revenues from monthly membership fees for services consisting solely of streaming content to members in the United States. The International streaming segment derives revenues from monthly membership fees for services consisting solely of streaming content to members outside the United States. The Domestic DVD segment derives revenues from monthly membership fees for services consisting solely of DVD-by-mail. Revenues and the related payment card fees are attributed to the operating segment based on the nature of the underlying membership (streaming or DVD) and the geographic region from which the membership originates. There are no internal revenue transactions between the Company’s segments. The vast majority of the cost of revenues relate to content expenses, which include the amortization of streaming content assets and other costs associated with the licensing and acquisition of streaming content. In connection with the Company's global expansion, content acquired, licensed, and produced increasingly includes global rights. The Company allocates this content between the International and Domestic streaming segments based on estimated fair market value. Content expenses for each streaming segment thus include both expenses directly incurred by the segment as well as an allocation of expenses incurred for global or multi-territory rights. Other costs of revenues such as delivery costs are primarily attributed to the operating segment based on amounts directly incurred by the segment. Marketing expenses consist primarily of advertising expenses and certain payments made to marketing partners, including consumer electronics ("CE") manufacturers, multichannel video programming distributors ("MVPDs"), mobile operators and internet service providers ("ISPs"), which are generally included in the segment in which the expenditures are directly incurred. The Company's long-lived tangible assets were located as follows: As of September 30, December 31, 2016 (in thousands) United States $ 293,733 $ 236,977 International 28,688 13,418 The following tables represent segment information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 : As of/ Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Domestic International Domestic Consolidated (in thousands) Total memberships at end of period (1) 52,772 56,476 3,569 Revenues $ 1,547,210 $ 1,327,435 $ 110,214 $ 2,984,859 Cost of revenues 864,408 1,081,485 47,087 1,992,980 Marketing 128,901 183,589 — 312,490 Contribution profit $ 553,901 $ 62,361 $ 63,127 $ 679,389 Other operating expenses 470,762 Operating income 208,627 Other income (expense) (92,390 ) Benefit from income taxes (13,353 ) Net income $ 129,590 As of/ Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Domestic International Domestic Consolidated (in thousands) Total memberships at end of period (1) 52,772 56,476 3,569 Revenues $ 4,522,751 $ 3,538,862 $ 345,345 $ 8,406,958 Cost of revenues 2,445,858 2,946,414 160,040 5,552,312 Marketing 357,547 500,536 — 858,083 Contribution profit $ 1,719,346 $ 91,912 $ 185,305 $ 1,996,563 Other operating expenses 1,403,187 Operating income 593,376 Other income (expense) (239,385 ) Benefit from income taxes (19,421 ) Net income $ 373,412 The following tables represent segment information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 : As of/ Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 Domestic International Domestic Consolidated (in thousands) Total memberships at end of period (1) 47,497 39,246 4,273 Revenues $ 1,304,333 $ 853,480 $ 132,375 $ 2,290,188 Cost of revenues 720,658 748,515 63,671 1,532,844 Marketing 108,495 173,548 — 282,043 Contribution profit (loss) $ 475,180 $ (68,583 ) $ 68,704 $ 475,301 Other operating expenses 369,265 Operating income 106,036 Other income (expense) (26,909 ) Provision for income taxes 27,610 Net income $ 51,517 As of/ Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 Domestic International Domestic Consolidated (in thousands) Total memberships at end of period (1) 47,497 39,246 4,273 Revenues $ 3,673,845 $ 2,263,429 $ 415,854 $ 6,353,128 Cost of revenues 2,094,310 2,076,576 204,596 4,375,482 Marketing 277,243 428,839 — 706,082 Contribution profit (loss) $ 1,302,292 $ (241,986 ) $ 211,258 $ 1,271,564 Other operating expenses 1,045,705 Operating income 225,859 Other income (expense) (55,621 ) Provision for income taxes 50,308 Net income $ 119,930 The following table represents the amortization of content assets: Domestic Streaming International Streaming Domestic DVD Consolidated (in thousands) Three months ended September 30, 2017 $ 727,832 $ 899,645 $ 13,259 $ 1,640,736 2016 597,039 627,069 19,284 1,243,392 Nine months ended September 30, 2017 2,033,268 2,450,686 48,368 4,532,322 2016 1,709,168 1,748,822 59,746 3,517,736 (1) A membership (also referred to as a subscription) is defined as the right to receive Netflix service following sign-up and a method of payment being provided. Memberships are assigned to territories based on the geographic location used at time of sign-up as determined by the Company's internal systems, which utilize industry standard geo-location technology. The Company offers free-trial memberships to certain new and rejoining members. Total members include those who are on a free-trial as long as a method of payment has been provided. A membership is canceled and ceases to be reflected in the above metrics as of the effective cancellation date. Voluntary cancellations become effective at the end of the prepaid membership period, while involuntary cancellation of the service, as a result of a failed method of payment, becomes effective immediately.

Basis of Presentation and Sum18

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Use of Estimates	The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the streaming content asset amortization policy; the recognition and measurement of income tax assets and liabilities; and the valuation of stock-based compensation. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. On a regular basis, the Company evaluates the assumptions, judgments and estimates. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
New Accounting Pronouncements	In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting , which amends Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation . ASU 2016-09 simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. Under the new standard, all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies are recorded as a component of the provision for income taxes in the reporting period in which they occur. Additionally, ASU 2016-09 requires that the Company present excess tax benefits on the Statement of Cash Flows as an operating activity. ASU 2016-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company adopted ASU 2016-09 in the first quarter of 2017 and elected to apply this adoption prospectively. Prior periods have not been adjusted. See Note 9 for information regarding the impact on the Company’s financial statements. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business. The standard provides guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. If substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired (or disposed of) is concentrated in a single asset or a group of similar assets, the assets acquired (or disposed of) are not considered a business. ASU 2017-01 is effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (including interim periods within those periods) with early adoption permitted. The Company early adopted the standard in the third quarter of 2017 on a prospective basis and the impact on its consolidated financial statements was not material. Recently issued accounting pronouncements not yet adopted In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) which amended the existing accounting standards for revenue recognition. ASU 2014-09 establishes principles for recognizing revenue upon the transfer of promised goods or services to customers, in an amount that reflects the expected consideration received in exchange for those goods or services. In July 2015, the FASB deferred the effective date for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (including interim reporting periods within those periods). Early adoption is permitted to the original effective date for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 (including interim reporting periods within those periods). The amendments may be applied retrospectively to each prior period (full retrospective) or retrospectively with the cumulative effect recognized as of the date of initial application (modified retrospective). The Company will adopt ASU 2014-09 in the first quarter of 2018 using the modified retrospective approach. Because the Company's primary source of revenues is from monthly membership fees which are recognized ratably over each monthly membership period, the Company does not expect the impact on its consolidated financial statements to be material. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) in order to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for those leases classified as operating leases under previous GAAP. ASU 2016-02 requires that a lessee should recognize a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term on the balance sheet. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 (including interim periods within those periods) using a modified retrospective approach and early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt ASU 2016-02 in the first quarter of 2019. Although the Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of the ASU on its consolidated financial statements, the Company currently believes the most significant changes will be related to the recognition of new right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on the Company's balance sheet for real estate operating leases. In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Restricted Cash , which requires amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the total beginning and ending amounts for the periods shown on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-18 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 (including interim periods within those periods) using a retrospective transition method to each period presented and early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt ASU 2016-18 in the first quarter of 2018 and does not expect the impact on its consolidated financial statements to be material.

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Computation of Earnings Per Share	The computation of earnings per share is as follows: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30, (in thousands, except per share data) Basic earnings per share: Net income $ 129,590 $ 51,517 $ 373,412 $ 119,930 Shares used in computation: Weighted-average common shares outstanding 432,404 428,937 431,473 428,514 Basic earnings per share $ 0.30 $ 0.12 $ 0.87 $ 0.28 Diluted earnings per share: Net income $ 129,590 $ 51,517 $ 373,412 $ 119,930 Shares used in computation: Weighted-average common shares outstanding 432,404 428,937 431,473 428,514 Employee stock options 14,958 9,452 14,894 9,666 Weighted-average number of shares 447,362 438,389 446,367 438,180 Diluted earnings per share $ 0.29 $ 0.12 $ 0.84 $ 0.27
Summary of Potential Common Shares Excluded from Diluted Calculation	The following table summarizes the potential common shares excluded from the diluted calculation: Three Months Ended Nine months ended September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30, (in thousands) Employee stock options 187 2,559 213 1,942

Short-term Investments (Tables)

Short-term Investments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Short-Term Investments And Fair Value Measurement [Abstract]
Available-For-Sale Securities Reported at Fair Value	The following table summarizes, by major security type, the Company’s assets at December 31, 2016 that were measured at fair value, the category using the fair value hierarchy and where they are classified on the Consolidated Balance Sheets: As of December 31, 2016 Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Estimated Fair Value Cash and cash equivalents Short-term investments Non-current assets (1) (in thousands) Cash $ 1,267,523 $ — $ — $ 1,267,523 $ 1,264,126 $ — $ 3,397 Level 1 securities: Money market funds 204,967 — — 204,967 203,450 — 1,517 Level 2 securities: Corporate debt securities 199,843 110 (731 ) 199,222 — 199,222 — Government securities 35,944 — (128 ) 35,816 — 35,816 — Certificates of deposit 9,833 — — 9,833 — 9,833 — Agency securities 21,563 — (228 ) 21,335 — 21,335 — Total $ 1,739,673 $ 110 $ (1,087 ) $ 1,738,696 $ 1,467,576 $ 266,206 $ 4,914 (1) Primarily restricted cash that is related to workers compensation deposits and letter of credit agreements.

Balance Sheet Components (Table

Balance Sheet Components (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Balance Sheet Components Disclosure [Abstract]
Content Assets	Content assets consisted of the following: As of September 30, December 31, (in thousands) Licensed content, net $ 11,462,217 $ 9,595,315 Produced content, net Released, less amortization 984,945 335,400 In production 1,338,208 1,010,463 In development and pre-production 163,393 34,215 2,486,546 1,380,078 DVD, net 14,328 25,415 Total $ 13,963,091 $ 11,000,808 Current content assets, net $ 4,223,387 $ 3,726,307 Non-current content assets, net $ 9,739,704 $ 7,274,501
Property and Equipment, Net	Property and equipment and accumulated depreciation consisted of the following: As of September 30, December 31, Estimated Useful Lives (in thousands) Information technology assets $ 225,988 $ 185,345 3 years Furniture and fixtures 47,312 32,185 3 years Buildings 40,681 40,681 30 years Leasehold improvements 218,242 107,945 Over life of lease DVD operations equipment 68,196 70,152 5 years Corporate aircraft 29,391 — 8 years Capital work-in-progress 14,412 108,296 Property and equipment, gross 644,222 544,604 Less: Accumulated depreciation (321,801 ) (294,209 ) Property and equipment, net $ 322,421 $ 250,395

Long-term Debt (Tables)

Long-term Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Long-term Debt	The following table provides a summary of the Company's Notes and the fair values based on quoted market prices in less active markets as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 : Level 2 Fair Value as of Principal Amount at Par Issuance Date Maturity Interest Payment Dates September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 (in millions) (in millions) 3.625% Senior Notes (1) $ 1,535.6 May 2017 2027 May 15 and November 15 $ 1,563 $ — 4.375% Senior Notes 1,000.0 October 2016 2026 May 15 and November 15 1,006 975 5.50% Senior Notes 700.0 February 2015 2022 April 15 and October 15 765 758 5.875% Senior Notes 800.0 February 2015 2025 April 15 and October 15 879 868 5.750% Senior Notes 400.0 February 2014 2024 March 1 and September 1 436 431 5.375% Senior Notes 500.0 February 2013 2021 February 1 and August 1 539 539 $ 4,935.6 (1) Debt is denominated in euro with a €1,300 million aggregate principal amount and is remeasured into U.S. dollars at each balance sheet date. Total proceeds were $1,420.5 million and remeasurement loss on long-term debt was $50.8 million and $115.1 million for the three and nine months ending September 30, 2017 , respectively.

Commitments and Contingencies (

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Expected Timing of Payments for Commitments	The expected timing of payments for these streaming content obligations is as follows: As of September 30, December 31, (in thousands) Less than one year $ 6,984,360 $ 6,200,611 Due after one year and through three years 7,918,009 6,731,336 Due after three years and through five years 1,918,123 1,386,934 Due after five years 171,438 160,606 Total streaming content obligations $ 16,991,930 $ 14,479,487

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Stockholders' Equity and Stock-based Compensation Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Activity Related to Stock Option Plans	A summary of the activities related to the Company’s stock option plans is as follows: Options Outstanding Shares Number of Weighted- (per share) Weighted-Average Remaining Aggregate Balances as of December 31, 2016 13,289,953 22,437,347 $ 44.83 Granted (1,988,266 ) 1,988,266 151.82 Exercised — (2,676,918 ) 27.53 Expired — (1,561 ) 3.25 Balances as of September 30, 2017 11,301,687 21,747,134 $ 56.74 6.04 $ 2,709,943 Vested and exercisable as of September 30, 2017 21,747,134 $ 56.74 6.04 $ 2,709,943
Summary of Amounts Related to Option Exercises	A summary of the amounts related to option exercises, is as follows: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30, (in thousands) Total intrinsic value of options exercised $ 142,664 $ 35,443 $ 351,488 $ 104,168 Cash received from options exercised 34,669 3,819 73,673 11,587
Summary of Assumptions Used to Value Stock Option Grants Using Lattice-Binomial Model	The following table summarizes the assumptions used to value option grants using the lattice-binomial model and the valuation data: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30, Dividend yield — % — % — % — % Expected volatility 34 % 41 % 34% - 37% 41% - 50% Risk-free interest rate 2.24 % 1.57 % 2.24% - 2.45% 1.57% - 2.04% Suboptimal exercise factor 2.58 2.48 2.48 - 2.58 2.48 Weighted-average fair value (per share) $ 72.98 $ 44.68 $ 67.23 $ 47.79 Total stock-based compensation expense (in thousands) $ 44,763 $ 43,495 $ 133,679 $ 130,029 Total income tax impact on provision (in thousands) $ 14,428 $ 16,294 $ 43,606 $ 48,828

Accumulated Other Comprehensi25

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The following table summarizes the changes in the accumulated balance of other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 : Foreign currency Change in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities Total (in thousands) Balance as of June 30, 2017 $ (31,040 ) $ (328 ) $ (31,368 ) Other comprehensive income before reclassifications 5,678 328 6,006 Net decrease in other comprehensive loss 5,678 328 6,006 Balances as of September 30, 2017 $ (25,362 ) $ — $ (25,362 ) Foreign currency Change in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities Total (in thousands) Balances as of December 31, 2016 $ (47,966 ) $ (599 ) $ (48,565 ) Other comprehensive income before reclassifications 22,604 599 23,203 Net decrease in other comprehensive loss 22,604 599 23,203 Balances as of September 30, 2017 $ (25,362 ) $ — $ (25,362 )

Segment Information (Tables)

Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Long-lived Assets by Geographic Areas	The Company's long-lived tangible assets were located as follows: As of September 30, December 31, 2016 (in thousands) United States $ 293,733 $ 236,977 International 28,688 13,418
Information on Reportable Segments And Reconciliation To Consolidated Net Income	The following tables represent segment information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 : As of/ Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Domestic International Domestic Consolidated (in thousands) Total memberships at end of period (1) 52,772 56,476 3,569 Revenues $ 1,547,210 $ 1,327,435 $ 110,214 $ 2,984,859 Cost of revenues 864,408 1,081,485 47,087 1,992,980 Marketing 128,901 183,589 — 312,490 Contribution profit $ 553,901 $ 62,361 $ 63,127 $ 679,389 Other operating expenses 470,762 Operating income 208,627 Other income (expense) (92,390 ) Benefit from income taxes (13,353 ) Net income $ 129,590 As of/ Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Domestic International Domestic Consolidated (in thousands) Total memberships at end of period (1) 52,772 56,476 3,569 Revenues $ 4,522,751 $ 3,538,862 $ 345,345 $ 8,406,958 Cost of revenues 2,445,858 2,946,414 160,040 5,552,312 Marketing 357,547 500,536 — 858,083 Contribution profit $ 1,719,346 $ 91,912 $ 185,305 $ 1,996,563 Other operating expenses 1,403,187 Operating income 593,376 Other income (expense) (239,385 ) Benefit from income taxes (19,421 ) Net income $ 373,412 The following tables represent segment information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 : As of/ Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 Domestic International Domestic Consolidated (in thousands) Total memberships at end of period (1) 47,497 39,246 4,273 Revenues $ 1,304,333 $ 853,480 $ 132,375 $ 2,290,188 Cost of revenues 720,658 748,515 63,671 1,532,844 Marketing 108,495 173,548 — 282,043 Contribution profit (loss) $ 475,180 $ (68,583 ) $ 68,704 $ 475,301 Other operating expenses 369,265 Operating income 106,036 Other income (expense) (26,909 ) Provision for income taxes 27,610 Net income $ 51,517 As of/ Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 Domestic International Domestic Consolidated (in thousands) Total memberships at end of period (1) 47,497 39,246 4,273 Revenues $ 3,673,845 $ 2,263,429 $ 415,854 $ 6,353,128 Cost of revenues 2,094,310 2,076,576 204,596 4,375,482 Marketing 277,243 428,839 — 706,082 Contribution profit (loss) $ 1,302,292 $ (241,986 ) $ 211,258 $ 1,271,564 Other operating expenses 1,045,705 Operating income 225,859 Other income (expense) (55,621 ) Provision for income taxes 50,308 Net income $ 119,930 The following table represents the amortization of content assets: Domestic Streaming International Streaming Domestic DVD Consolidated (in thousands) Three months ended September 30, 2017 $ 727,832 $ 899,645 $ 13,259 $ 1,640,736 2016 597,039 627,069 19,284 1,243,392 Nine months ended September 30, 2017 2,033,268 2,450,686 48,368 4,532,322 2016 1,709,168 1,748,822 59,746 3,517,736 (1) A membership (also referred to as a subscription) is defined as the right to receive Netflix service following sign-up and a method of payment being provided. Memberships are assigned to territories based on the geographic location used at time of sign-up as determined by the Company's internal systems, which utilize industry standard geo-location technology. The Company offers free-trial memberships to certain new and rejoining members. Total members include those who are on a free-trial as long as a method of payment has been provided. A membership is canceled and ceases to be reflected in the above metrics as of the effective cancellation date. Voluntary cancellations become effective at the end of the prepaid membership period, while involuntary cancellation of the service, as a result of a failed method of payment, becomes effective immediately.

Basis of Presentation and Sum27

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017segment
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	3

Earnings Per Share - Computatio

Earnings Per Share - Computation of Net Income Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Basic earnings per share:
Net income	$ 129,590	$ 51,517	$ 373,412	$ 119,930
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in shares)	432,404	428,937	431,473	428,514
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.30	$ 0.12	$ 0.87	$ 0.28
Diluted earnings per share:
Net income	$ 129,590	$ 51,517	$ 373,412	$ 119,930
Shares used in computation:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in shares)	432,404	428,937	431,473	428,514
Employee stock options (in shares)	14,958	9,452	14,894	9,666
Weighted-average number of shares (in shares)	447,362	438,389	446,367	438,180
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.29	$ 0.12	$ 0.84	$ 0.27

Earnings Per Share - Schedule o

Earnings Per Share - Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Employee stock options
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Employee stock options (in shares)	187	2,559	213	1,942

Short-term Investments - Availa

Short-term Investments - Available-For-Sale Securities Reported At Fair Value (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Level 1 Securities | Money market funds
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cash and Money Market Funds, Estimated Fair Value		$ 204,967
Level 2 Securities | Certificates of deposit
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Level 2 securities, Estimated Fair Value		9,833
Cash
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cash and Money Market Funds, Estimated Fair Value		1,267,523
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Level 2 securities, Gross Unrealized Gains		110
Level 2 securities, Gross Unrealized Losses		(1,087)
Total, amortized cost		1,739,673
Total, estimated fair value		1,738,696
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 Securities | Money market funds
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cash and Money Market Funds, Amortized Cost		204,967
Cash and Money Market Funds, Estimated Fair Value		203,450
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash, Noncurrent Assets		1,517
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 Securities | Corporate debt securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Level 2 securities, Amortized Cost		199,843
Level 2 securities, Gross Unrealized Gains		110
Level 2 securities, Gross Unrealized Losses		(731)
Level 2 securities, Estimated Fair Value		199,222
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 Securities | Government securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Level 2 securities, Amortized Cost		35,944
Level 2 securities, Gross Unrealized Losses		(128)
Level 2 securities, Estimated Fair Value		35,816
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 Securities | Certificates of deposit
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Level 2 securities, Amortized Cost		9,833
Level 2 securities, Estimated Fair Value		9,833
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 Securities | Agency securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Level 2 securities, Amortized Cost		21,563
Level 2 securities, Gross Unrealized Losses		(228)
Level 2 securities, Estimated Fair Value		21,335
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Cash
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cash and Money Market Funds, Amortized Cost		1,267,523
Cash and Money Market Funds, Estimated Fair Value		1,264,126
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash, Noncurrent Assets	$ 3,600	3,397
Cash and Cash Equivalents | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Total, estimated fair value		1,467,576
Cash and Cash Equivalents | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 Securities | Money market funds
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cash and Money Market Funds, Amortized Cost	13,900
Short-term Investments | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Total, estimated fair value		266,206
Non-current Assets | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Total, estimated fair value		$ 4,914
Non-current Assets | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 Securities | Money market funds
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cash and Money Market Funds, Amortized Cost	$ 1,300

Balance Sheet Components - Comp

Balance Sheet Components - Components of Content Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Content assets, net	$ 13,963,091	$ 11,000,808
Current content assets, net	4,223,387	3,726,307
Non-current content assets, net	9,739,704	7,274,501
Licensed content
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Net content	11,462,217	9,595,315
Produced content
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Net content	984,945	335,400
In production	1,338,208	1,010,463
In development and pre-production	163,393	34,215
Content assets, net	$ 2,486,546	1,380,078
Produced content amortization percentage over one year	29.00%
Produced content amortization percent over three years	79.00%
Produced content amortization period over the next 48 months (more than)	80.00%
DVD
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Content assets, net	$ 14,328	$ 25,415

Balance Sheet Components - Prop

Balance Sheet Components - Property And Equipment And Accumulated Depreciation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 644,222	$ 544,604
Less: Accumulated depreciation	(321,801)	(294,209)
Property and equipment, net	322,421	250,395
Accrued participation liabilities, due in next operating cycle	0
Information technology assets
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 225,988	185,345
Estimated Useful Lives	3 years
Furniture and fixtures
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 47,312	32,185
Estimated Useful Lives	3 years
Buildings
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 40,681	40,681
Estimated Useful Lives	30 years
Leasehold improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 218,242	107,945
DVD operations equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 68,196	70,152
Estimated Useful Lives	5 years
Corporate aircraft
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 29,391	0
Estimated Useful Lives	8 years
Capital work-in-progress
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 14,412	$ 108,296

Long-term Debt - Narrative (Det

Long-term Debt - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Aggregate outstanding principal	$ 4,888,783	$ 3,364,311
Debt issuance cost	$ 46,800
Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption prices, percent of outstanding principal	101.00%

Long-term Debt - Summary of Lon

Long-term Debt - Summary of Long-term Debt (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017EUR (€)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount at par						$ 4,935,600,000
Foreign currency remeasurement loss on long-term debt	$ 50,830,000	$ 0	$ 115,050,000	$ 0
Senior Notes | 3.625% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount at par					€ 1,300,000,000	1,535,560,000
Fair value						$ 1,563,000,000	$ 0
Interest rate					3.625%	3.625%
Proceeds from convertible debt			1,420,500,000
Foreign currency remeasurement loss on long-term debt	$ 50,800,000		$ 115,100,000
Senior Notes | 4.375% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount at par						$ 1,000,000,000
Fair value						$ 1,006,000,000	975,000,000
Interest rate					4.375%	4.375%
Senior Notes | 5.50% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount at par						$ 700,000,000
Fair value						$ 765,000,000	758,000,000
Interest rate					5.50%	5.50%
Senior Notes | 5.875% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount at par						$ 800,000,000
Fair value						$ 879,000,000	868,000,000
Interest rate					5.875%	5.875%
Senior Notes | 5.750% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount at par						$ 400,000,000
Fair value						$ 436,000,000	431,000,000
Interest rate					5.75%	5.75%
Senior Notes | 5.375% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount at par						$ 500,000,000
Fair value						$ 539,000,000	$ 539,000,000
Interest rate					5.375%	5.375%

Long-term Debt - Revolving Line

Long-term Debt - Revolving Line of Credit (Details) - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Jul. 31, 2017
Revolving Credit Facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity		$ 500,000,000
Line of credit facility, additional maximum borrowing capacity		$ 250,000,000
Commitment fee percentage	0.10%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) | Revolving Credit Facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	0.75%
Federal Funds Rate | Revolving Credit Facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	0.50%
One-Month LIBOR Rate
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	0.00%
One-Month LIBOR Rate | Revolving Credit Facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	1.00%

Commitments and Contingencies -

Commitments and Contingencies - Streaming Content - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Contractual Obligation [Line Items]
Streaming obligations included in current content liabilities	$ 16,991,930	$ 14,479,487
Streaming obligations not reflected on Consolidated Balance Sheets	9,600,000	8,000,000
Current Content Liabilities
Contractual Obligation [Line Items]
Streaming obligations included in non-current content liabilities	4,100,000	3,600,000
Non-current Content Liabilities
Contractual Obligation [Line Items]
Streaming obligations included in non-current content liabilities	$ 3,300,000	$ 2,900,000

Commitments and Contingencies37

Commitments and Contingencies - Expected Timing of Payments for Commitments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Less than one year	$ 6,984,360	$ 6,200,611
Due after one year and through three years	7,918,009	6,731,336
Due after three years and through five years	1,918,123	1,386,934
Due after five years	171,438	160,606
Total streaming content obligations	$ 16,991,930	$ 14,479,487

Commitments and Contingencies38

Commitments and Contingencies - Legal Proceedings - Narrative (Details)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and contingencies	$ 0

Stockholders' Equity (Narrative

Stockholders' Equity (Narrative) (Details) shares in Millions	Sep. 30, 2017shares
2011 Stock Plan
Components of Stockholders' Equity [Line Items]
Shares reserved for future issuance	11.3

Stockholders' Equity - Summary

Stockholders' Equity - Summary of Activity Related to Stock Option Plans (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)$ / sharesshares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Shares available for grant, beginning balance	13,289,953
Options outstanding, number of shares, beginning balance	22,437,347
Shares available for grant, granted	(1,988,266)
Options outstanding, number of shares, exercised	(2,676,918)
Shares available for grant, expired	(1,561)
Options outstanding, number of shares, ending balance	21,747,134
Shares available for grant, ending balance	11,301,687
Options vested and exercisable, number of shares, ending balance	21,747,134
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Roll Forward]
Options outstanding, weighted-average exercise price, beginning balance (dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 44.83
Options outstanding, weighted-average exercise price, granted (dollars per share) | $ / shares	151.82
Options outstanding, weighted-average exercise price, exercised (dollars per share) | $ / shares	27.53
Options outstanding, weighted-average exercise price, canceled (dollars per share) | $ / shares	3.25
Options outstanding, weighted-average exercise price, ending balance (dollars per share) | $ / shares	56.74
Options outstanding, weighted-average exercise price, vested and exercisable (dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 56.74
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Weighted-average remaining contractual term, ending balance (in years)	6 years 16 days
Weighted-average remaining contractual term, vested and exercisable (in years)	6 years 16 days
Aggregate intrinsic value, ending balance | $	$ 2,709,943
Aggregate intrinsic value, vested and exercisable | $	$ 2,709,943

Stockholders' Equity - Summar41

Stockholders' Equity - Summary of Amounts Related to Option Exercises (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Equity [Abstract]
Total intrinsic value of options exercised	$ 142,664	$ 35,443	$ 351,488	$ 104,168
Cash received from options exercised	$ 34,669	$ 3,819	$ 73,673	$ 11,587

Stockholders' Equity - Summar42

Stockholders' Equity - Summary of Assumptions Used to Value Stock Option Grants Using Lattice-Binomial Model (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)$ / shares	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)$ / shares	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)$ / shares	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)$ / shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based payment award, expiration period (in years)			10 years
Dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Expected volatility	34.00%	41.00%
Risk-free interest rate	2.24%	1.57%
Suboptimal exercise factor	2.58	2.48		2.48
Weighted-average fair value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 72.98	$ 44.68	$ 67.23	$ 47.79
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 44,763	$ 43,495	$ 133,679	$ 130,029
Total income tax impact on provision (in thousands)	$ 14,428	$ 16,294	$ 43,606	$ 48,828
Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected volatility			34.00%	41.00%
Risk-free interest rate			2.24%	1.57%
Suboptimal exercise factor			2.48
Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected volatility			37.00%	50.00%
Risk-free interest rate			2.45%	2.04%
Suboptimal exercise factor			2.58

Accumulated Other Comprehensi43

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		$ 2,679,800
Ending Balance	$ 3,327,361	3,327,361
Foreign currency
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(31,040)	(47,966)
Net decrease (increase) in other comprehensive loss	5,678	22,604
Ending Balance	(25,362)	(25,362)
Change in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(328)	(599)
Net decrease (increase) in other comprehensive loss	328	599
Ending Balance	0	0
AOCI Attributable to Parent
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(31,368)	(48,565)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	6,006	23,203
Net decrease (increase) in other comprehensive loss	6,006	23,203
Ending Balance	$ (25,362)	$ (25,362)

Income Taxes (Details)

Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective tax rates	(11.00%)	35.00%	(5.00%)	30.00%
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Unrecognized tax benefits	$ 37.2		$ 37.2			$ 19.7
Reduction in provision for income taxes due to impact of effective tax rate	33.3		33.3
Deferred tax assets classified as other non-current assets	374		374			$ 227.2
Deferred tax assets, valuation allowance	33.1		33.1
Other Noncurrent Liabilities
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Increase in unrecognized tax benefits is reasonably possible	15.8		15.8
Other Noncurrent Assets
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Unrecognized tax benefits	21.4		21.4
Accounting Standards Update 2016-09
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Increase to deferred tax assets	43.6		43.6
Effective income tax rate reconciliation, share-based compensation, excess tax benefit	$ 41.7		$ 110.5
Retained Earnings | Accounting Standards Update 2016-09
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings					$ 43.6

Segment Information - Narrativ

Segment Information - Narrative (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments	3
International Streaming
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments	1

Segment Information - Long-liv

Segment Information - Long-lived Assets by Geographical Areas (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
United States
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Long-lived tangible assets	$ 293,733	$ 236,977
International
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Long-lived tangible assets	$ 28,688	$ 13,418

Segment Information - Informat

Segment Information - Information On Reportable Segments And Reconciliation To Consolidated Net Income (Details) subscription in Thousands, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)subscription	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)subscription	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)subscription	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)subscription
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total memberships at end of period | subscription	[1]
Revenues		$ 2,984,859	$ 2,290,188	$ 8,406,958	$ 6,353,128
Cost of revenues		1,992,980	1,532,844	5,552,312	4,375,482
Marketing		312,490	282,043	858,083	706,082
Contribution profit		679,389	475,301	1,996,563	1,271,564
Other operating expenses		470,762	369,265	1,403,187	1,045,705
Operating income		208,627	106,036	593,376	225,859
Other income (expense)		(92,390)	(26,909)	(239,385)	(55,621)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes		(13,353)	27,610	(19,421)	50,308
Net income		129,590	51,517	373,412	119,930
Amortization of content assets		$ 1,640,736	$ 1,243,392	$ 4,532,322	$ 3,517,736
Domestic Streaming
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total memberships at end of period | subscription	[1]	52,772	47,497	52,772	47,497
Revenues		$ 1,547,210	$ 1,304,333	$ 4,522,751	$ 3,673,845
Cost of revenues		864,408	720,658	2,445,858	2,094,310
Marketing		128,901	108,495	357,547	277,243
Contribution profit		553,901	475,180	1,719,346	1,302,292
Amortization of content assets		$ 727,832	$ 597,039	$ 2,033,268	$ 1,709,168
International Streaming
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total memberships at end of period | subscription	[1]	56,476	39,246	56,476	39,246
Revenues		$ 1,327,435	$ 853,480	$ 3,538,862	$ 2,263,429
Cost of revenues		1,081,485	748,515	2,946,414	2,076,576
Marketing		183,589	173,548	500,536	428,839
Contribution profit		62,361	(68,583)	91,912	(241,986)
Amortization of content assets		$ 899,645	$ 627,069	$ 2,450,686	$ 1,748,822
Domestic DVD
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total memberships at end of period | subscription	[1]	3,569	4,273	3,569	4,273
Revenues		$ 110,214	$ 132,375	$ 345,345	$ 415,854
Cost of revenues		47,087	63,671	160,040	204,596
Marketing		0	0	0	0
Contribution profit		63,127	68,704	185,305	211,258
Amortization of content assets		$ 13,259	$ 19,284	$ 48,368	$ 59,746
[1]	A membership (also referred to as a subscription) is defined as the right to receive Netflix service following sign-up and a method of payment being provided. Memberships are assigned to territories based on the geographic location used at time of sign-up as determined by the Company's internal systems, which utilize industry standard geo-location technology. The Company offers free-trial memberships to certain new and rejoining members. Total members include those who are on a free-trial as long as a method of payment has been provided. A membership is canceled and ceases to be reflected in the above metrics as of the effective cancellation date. Voluntary cancellations become effective at the end of the prepaid membership period, while involuntary cancellation of the service, as a result of a failed method of payment, becomes effective immediately.