Just in time for its 27-year anniversary

I’ll never forget the day everyone I know and love got sucked into the wonderful world of Netflix. Back in the day, the platform was a red-hot DVD-rental service that arrived by snail mail. This was pretty big news in the ‘90s — it officially launched its streaming service in 2007. 

But things didn’t truly kick off — at least in my circle — until 2013. That’s when the original Netflix shows started flowing in, blowing the nation’s minds with its endless groundbreaking content. In 2013, you couldn’t go anywhere without hearing about their fresh, jaw-dropping Netflix-Originals that offered full seasons of shows all at once. And how you simply haveeeee to drop whatever you’re doing to watch them all in one sitting. (Thus the term binge-watching was added to the lexicon.) It was House of Cards, this. Orange is the New Black, that. Basically, if you weren’t watching these shows, you were living under a friggin’ rock. 

Not that I was complaining. Just like everyone else, I was utterly obsessed with the Netflix dramedy, Orange is the New Black. My friends and I would gab about the Netflix original for hours, debating which character we identified with the most. Am I more of a Piper? Or a Taystee?

Of course, when I finished with Orange, I couldn’t simply end my Netflix journey after all it had done for me. So, thirsty for a new show to binge, I hopped on to the next series on the streaming platform with the same creator of OITNB: Weeds. Instantaneously, I had a new show to get uncomfortably obsessed with. 

Netflix is easily the most popular streaming service of all time

Over the years, the streaming platform has grown so much that it’s now popular vernacular such as the code for hooking up, “Netflix and Chill.” Regardless of how huge other streaming services get, Netflix is the 1st service that springs to mind. 

Heck, nobody ever says “Apple TV and Chill” or “Amazon Prime and Chill.” Who’d even think to say that? Although there are tons of other successful streaming platforms, none of them are even in the same ballpark as Netflix. Sorry!

The streaming service has been in debt for a while

Wow, it’s pretty mind-boggling, and dare I say shocking, that the crowned streaming service has been billions of dollars in debt for years. In 2020, it hit bottom at $18.5 billion. Yikes!!

But, despite the nay-sayers and non-believers, that mountain of overwhelming debt totally paid off. All of that investment on original content — and the licensing of existing TV shows and movies — has raked in more subscribers than any other service out there. Yep, Netflix is officially the number one streaming service in the world, with an additional 5 million paying subscribers for its third quarter in 2024.

Why did Netflix’s subscribership blow up in 2024?

It’s pretty damn impressive how Netflix has dominated the streaming wars and held its reign for as long as it has. With other iconic streaming platforms — think Peacock, Hulu, Max (formerly HBO Max), Disney+, and Apple TV — vying for customers, you’d think Netflix would eventually fall flat when in competition with these fresh new content hubs.       

But, nope! Try as the other services might, they simply can’t compare to the consistent user satisfaction of Netflix. 

It’s ad-free and consistent in its payment plan

Much of the platform’s success is due to the fact that it’s strictly ad-free (side-eyeing you, Peacock) and has a consistent payment plan (glaring at you, Disney+).

Like many outspoken critics who canceled their Disney+ subscriptions this year, I was outraged that they raised prices to such an obnoxious degree. Disney+ was already ridiculously expensive, so when the company announced they’d be increasing the monthly subscription cost, we as a nation were not having it. This led to millions of people deleting their Disney+ accounts in protest.

Meanwhile, I was forced to cancel my Peacock+ subscription as well, since, despite paying the full price for Peacock+, I was still getting those pesky ads. (Eye-roll)

And although my favorite streaming platform is Max — HBO is, like, my whole identity — I’ll always have a soft-spot for Netflix. They are consistent with their subscribers, promising Netflix users a fair and predictable payment plan as well as ad-free entertainment. 

Netflix’s global reach keeps the world invested

What separates Netflix from other streaming platforms is that it’s richly diverse. There are countless movies and TV shows that take place in different countries and continents around the globe, using hundreds of languages that may be more appealing to non-English speaking audiences.

Netflix is streamable in 190 countries so there’s an endless amount of content in their library to accommodate different regions. But even native English speakers can get caught up in shows that take place in countries that speak a different language. 

For instance, my mom is completely captivated by K-Dramas as well as Mexican telenovelas. It enlightens her about various cultures that she’s less familiar with — all while winding down after a long day of work. 

So whether you’re looking for a new Swedish reality show or a Japanese romance film, Netflix pretty much has it all. Want a Mandarin melodrama? They’ve got 20 — at least. Want a French-Canadian Horror movie? Look no further than Netflix. 

As much as I love Max, I can’t say its content library is as varied as Netflix’s. 

Their content library is pretty much endless

Whether you’re a cinema aesthete hankering for the most obscure, artistic indie film in the world or you’re into the trashiest reality show ever, Netflix literally has it all. From Hallmark Christmas movies, to Oscar-winning tear jerkers, to mindless cupcake baking competition shows, you’ll never run out of options. There’s always something that will cater to your specific mood. Unlike, say, Disney+ which sticks to wholesome, family fare. Meanwhile, Max is pretty much strictly unwholesome. Yet Netflix, on the other hand… There’s truly something for everyone. 

Netflix is killing it with the original TV Shows

Where shall I even begin when it comes to Netflix originals? From Orange is the New Black to Stranger Things, The Crown, Squid Game — I could go onnn, but I’ll spare you — this streaming platform takes the cake when it comes to original programming. 

With its premium library of original content, as well as licensed TV shows and movies, Netflix can officially breathe a massive sigh of relief. Cause, it’s swimming in cash these days, predicting $8.7 in profit in 2024. Congrats, Netflix!

Which show will you be bingeing tonight?