Netflix now has more than 100 million subscribers – a lot more

(Image credit: Netflix)

That didn't take long. Just three months after Netflix announced it was on the cusp of 100 million subscribers, the streaming giant revealed today it's met – and surpassed – that symbolic figure. 

Netflix now counts 104 million members, up from 99 million the quarter previous, according to its latest shareholders letter. It also now has more international than domestic (US) members, a major shift. 

"It was a good quarter," says the letter for Q2 in typical Netflix understatement (or smugness, depending on your view). Netflix added 5.2 million new members overall.

Even Netflix was surprised by the growth it experienced in the last three months, a phenom Netflix says was propelled by "our strong slate of content."

While the international segment now accounts for 50.1% of all Netflix memberships, the company is still gaining new members in the US. With domestic net adds of 1.1 million in the States, it was Netflix's highest level of Q2 net adds since 2011.

Streaming strong

For general comparison, though Amazon doesn't publicize Prime subscriber figures, which includes the Amazon Prime Video service, it was estimated to have at least 66 million members as of February. As of May 2016, the US-only Hulu counted 12 million subscribers.

Today's news comes on the back of Netflix's huge Emmy nominations haul; 27 original programs garnered a total of 91 nominations, almost double what it pulled in last year. Only HBO had more nominations, with NBC a distant third.

Netflix continues to eye the global market as the area with greatest growth potential, so expect even more international programming to arrive on Netflix in the months to come.

The company also took a minute to defend its movie release schedule, where it launches films on Netflix first rather than in theaters. This practice was a point of contention at this year's Cannes film festival, so much so that the prestigious Cannes changed its rules for next year to prohibit entrants that don't show in movie theaters first. 

Netflix isn't backing down, pointing out that while its releases are "counter to Hollywood's century-old windowing tradition," the times have changed.

"[J]ust as we changed and reinvented the TV business by putting consumers first and making access to content more convenient, we believe internet TV can similarly reinvigorate the film business (as distinct from the theatrical business)," Netflix says in the shareholder letter.

Finally, as it usually does, Netflix addressed competition from other streaming services. Netflix sees itself and other services strengthening the overall landscape and giving consumers great content to watch, rather than detracting from one another and diluting the product. 

"We are all co-pioneers of internet TV and, together, we are replacing linear TV. The shift from linear TV to on-demand viewing is so big and there is so much leisure time, many internet TV services will be successful," the letter reads. 

It continues: "The internet may not have been great for the music business due to piracy, but, wow, it is incredible for growing the video entertainment business around the world."

TOPICS
Michelle Fitzsimmons

Michelle was previously a news editor at TechRadar, leading consumer tech news and reviews. Michelle is now a Content Strategist at Facebook.  A versatile, highly effective content writer and skilled editor with a keen eye for detail, Michelle is a collaborative problem solver and covered everything from smartwatches and microprocessors to VR and self-driving cars.

Latest in Netflix
A still from Netflix's new miniseries Adolescence starring Stephen Graham
Adolescence is the best show on Netflix right now, and you can watch it in one evening
Sakata in Demon City holds a large cleaver-like weapon
Demon City on Netflix is Japan's answer to John Wick with a dash of Oldboy, and it rocks
Cristin Milioti in Black Mirror season 7
Netflix launches trailer for Black Mirror season 7, giving us a look at its first-ever sequel episode and an unexpected returning character
A woman holds a phone and looks concerned in Caught
Netflix drops an eerie trailer for a new Harlan Coben show – I just hope Caught is better than the author's previous TV adaptations
Nicole Kidman wears a blue blouse with her arms crossed.
Netflix might be renewing The Perfect Couple and Beauty in Black for season 2, but I don’t get why when it’s canceled shows with poorer ratings
Susan holding her baby in Toxic Town.
Netflix's #3 show has a flawless 100% on Rotten Tomatoes – here are 3 more powerful dramas to watch after Toxic Town
Latest in News
Pebble smartwatch countdown
Pebble confirms its smartwatch announcement is just hours away
Logo of YouTube Shorts
Is YouTube auto-playing Shorts when you open the app? Well, you’re not alone - here’s how to fix it
Google DeepMind panel discussion
“More sovereignty and protection” - Google goes all-in on UK AI with data residency, upskilling projects, and startup investments
Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo Switch 2 expected to have AI upscaling and I can't wait to finally play Tears of the Kingdom with upgraded graphics
PowerColor Red Devil AMD RX 9070 XT graphics card shown side-on
Your next GPU could be from AMD, not Nvidia, if Team Red’s success with PC gamers continues
Intel Lunar Lake concept
Intel's Panther Lake processors won't arrive until Q1 2026 - corroborates previous delay rumors despite former Intel CEO's promise of 2025 launch