Prep

Distruptive Innovation

Netflix Inc.

Netflix story starts with

  1. DVD by mail
  2. Recommendation system to combat low diversity
  3. Streaming
  4. Content creation
  5. Global expansion
  6. Diversification

Questions

  1. What made Netflix a disruptor?

Pain points:

  • Late fees
  • Limited selection
  • Having to go to the store
  • Predictable subscription pricing

As well they saw up and coming:

  • DVDs growing in popularity
  • Broadband internet
  1. How did technological and market shifts later erode its advantages?
  • The people who were licensing their content to Netflix started their own streaming services (Disney+, HBO Max, etc.)
  • Netflix now had to enter the content creation space and compete there
  1. What strategic questions does Netflix face now?
  • A transition from disruptor to disrupted. It is now being disrupted and being forced to change from a platform to a studio
  • Instead of their low fixed cost model previously, they now have very high fixed costs.
  • I think this might even be seen in Netflix’s infamous need to always end seasons in a cliffhanger to ensure subscribers stay on.
  1. Given these challenges, what should Netflix do next?
  • Well we see now that they are introducing Ads to their subscription model to try and increase revenue
  • I think selling consumer data is also very valuable, seeing watch times, when people drop out of watching, etc.
  • Just like how Candy Crush makes a lot of money.