Stephen Jones

In response to a RBC Capital Markets survey, over 51% of participants said they used Netflix watch television shows and/or movies. Just surpassing YouTube, the streaming service is now the most popular streaming site, beating out Hulu, Amazon, and HBO Go. This rise in consumer usage is possibly due to some of its critically-acclaimed original programming, including: “House of Cards,” “Daredevil,” and “Orange is the New Black.” Thanks to overwhelming reviews from fans and critics alike, Netflix’s original programming has amassed 78 Emmy nominations and 12 wins. Another aspect of Netflix’s appeal is its original comedy specials showcasing some of the world’s most popular comedians such as Louis C.K. and Kevin Hart. Looking at this diverse selection of content, Netflix’s mass appeal should be of no surprise.

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Compared to cable and satellite subscription prices, Netflix’s most popular plan of $9.99/month is music to the consumers’ ears. Also, the ability to watch on multiple mobile devices at one time only adds to the accessibility this generation of instant-gratification desperately craves. Some cable networks, like Showtime, are trying to integrate the convenience Netflix boasts through mobile apps, but these on-the-go apps require an active subscription to its cable counterpart; thus, nullifying the inexpensive allure Netflix possesses. In contrast to other cable networks, HBO introduced a streaming service requiring no previous subscription to its satellite network. This new endeavor, named HBO Now, was launched in April of 2015 and garnering over 1 million subscribers in about three months. Hopefully, HBO’s success in adapting to the “cord-cutting” trend will influence other cable networks to follow suit.

Thanks to the streaming service’s overwhelming content variety, simple accessibility, and 69 million subscribers, Netflix is set to become an even bigger force of change in the media world.