10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2011

OR

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                  to                 

Commission File Number: 000-49802

Netflix, Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	77-0467272
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

100 Winchester Circle, Los Gatos, California 95032

(Address and zip code of principal executive offices)

(408) 540-3700

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    YES  x    NO  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No     ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer	x	Accelerated filer	¨
Non-accelerated filer	¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)	Smaller reporting company	¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

As of September 30, 2011, there were 52,504,091 shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.001, outstanding.

Table of Contents

		Page
	Part I. Financial Information
Item 1.	Consolidated Financial Statements
	Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September  30, 2011 and 2010		2
	Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010		3
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 and 2010		4
	Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements		5
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		15
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk		28
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures		28
	Part II. Other Information		30
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings		30
Item 1A.	Risk Factors		30
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds		30
Item 6.	Exhibits		31
Signatures			32
Exhibit Index			33

1

NETFLIX, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(unaudited)

(in thousands, except per share data)

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2011			September 30, 2010			September 30, 2011			September 30, 2010
Revenues	$	821,839		$	553,219		$	2,329,002		$	1,566,703
Cost of revenues:
Subscription		471,823			292,406			1,277,018			817,353
Fulfillment expenses		64,794			52,063			187,728			149,212
Total cost of revenues		536,617			344,469			1,464,746			966,565
Gross profit		285,222			208,750			864,256			600,138
Operating expenses:
Technology and development		69,480			42,108			178,250			117,370
Marketing		89,108			81,238			288,350			230,990
General and administrative		29,792			15,903			83,460			46,590
Total operating expenses		188,380			139,249			550,060			394,950
Operating income		96,842			69,501			314,196			205,188
Other income (expense):
Interest expense		(4,915	)		(4,945	)		(15,083	)		(14,797	)
Interest and other income		1,696			853			3,574			2,746
Income before income taxes		93,623			65,409			302,687			193,137
Provision for income taxes		31,163			27,442			111,780			79,379
Net income	$	62,460		$	37,967		$	190,907		$	113,758
Net income per share:
Basic	$	1.19		$	0.73		$	3.63		$	2.17
Diluted	$	1.16		$	0.70		$	3.53		$	2.09
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic		52,569			52,142			52,599			52,510
Diluted		53,870			53,931			54,008			54,341

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

2

NETFLIX, INC.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and par value data)

	As of
	September 30, 2011		December 31, 2010
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	159,199	$	194,499
Short-term investments		206,573		155,888
Current content library, net		705,398		181,006
Prepaid content		77,146		62,217
Other current assets		41,797		43,621
Total current assets		1,190,113		637,231
Content library, net		570,210		180,973
Property and equipment, net		143,993		128,570
Deferred tax assets		28,743		17,467
Other non-current assets		28,499		17,826
Total assets	$	1,961,558	$	982,067
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	750,107	$	222,824
Accrued expenses		54,671		36,489
Current portion of lease financing obligations		2,259		2,083
Deferred revenue		160,929		127,183
Total current liabilities		967,966		388,579
Long-term debt		200,000		200,000
Lease financing obligations, excluding current portion		32,400		34,123
Other non-current liabilities		372,840		69,201
Total liabilities		1,573,206		691,903
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 160,000,000 shares authorized at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010; 52,504,091 and 52,781,949 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively		53		53
Additional paid-in capital		—		51,622
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net		588		750
Retained earnings		387,711		237,739
Total stockholders’ equity		388,352		290,164
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	1,961,558	$	982,067

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

3

NETFLIX, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(unaudited)

(in thousands)

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2011			September 30, 2010			September 30, 2011			September 30, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	62,460		$	37,967		$	190,907		$	113,758
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Additions to streaming content library		(539,285	)		(115,149	)		(1,344,187	)		(231,781	)
Change in streaming content liabilities		314,720			58,638			816,620			88,197
Amortization of streaming content library		187,446			44,568			417,849			93,091
Amortization of DVD content library		23,000			32,578			73,990			111,490
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and intangibles		11,913			8,678			31,921			28,846
Stock-based compensation expense		15,705			7,296			43,505			19,726
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation		(11,761	)		(16,093	)		(45,283	)		(34,699	)
Other non-cash items		(1,745	)		(1,754	)		(3,472	)		(7,814	)
Deferred taxes		(5,281	)		3,194			(14,190	)		(2,961	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Prepaid content		(17,335	)		(25,485	)		(14,928	)		(32,581	)
Other current assets		(8,578	)		(3,374	)		4,935			(12,037	)
Other accounts payable		(5,422	)		(10,914	)		4,948			1,246
Accrued expenses		20,920			18,003			61,531			39,666
Deferred revenue		13,992			1,567			33,746			2,889
Other non-current assets and liabilities		(11,218	)		2,507			(5,646	)		2,648
Net cash provided by operating activities		49,531			42,227			252,246			179,684
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of DVD content library		(20,826	)		(29,900	)		(62,010	)		(90,993	)
Purchases of short-term investments		(7,673	)		(15,379	)		(100,536	)		(73,169	)
Proceeds from sale of short-term investments		37			42,238			31,508			105,063
Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments		1,805			1,995			18,440			10,318
Purchases of property and equipment		(14,080	)		(7,342	)		(39,026	)		(19,406	)
Other assets		(844	)		2,782			1,419			10,289
Net cash used in investing activities		(41,581	)		(5,606	)		(150,205	)		(57,898	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Principal payments of lease financing obligations		(526	)		(470	)		(1,547	)		(1,296	)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock		4,409			10,927			18,589			33,954
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation		11,761			16,093			45,283			34,699
Repurchases of common stock		(39,602	)		(57,390	)		(199,666	)		(210,259	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(23,958	)		(30,840	)		(137,341	)		(142,902	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(16,008	)		5,781			(35,300	)		(21,116	)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		175,207			107,327			194,499			134,224
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	159,199		$	113,108		$	159,199		$	113,108

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

4

NETFLIX, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

1. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The accompanying consolidated interim 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, 2010 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 18, 2011. 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 amortization methodology of the Company’s content library, the valuation of stock-based compensation and the recognition and measurement of income tax assets and liabilities. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. The actual results experienced by the Company may differ from management’s 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 financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results for a full year.

The Company is organized into two operating segments: Domestic (the United States) and International. See Note 10 for further information about the Company’s operating segments.

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation. These reclassifications did not impact total assets, total liabilities, stockholders’ equity, results of operations or cash flows.

There have been no material changes in the Company’s significant accounting policies as compared to the significant accounting policies described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

2. Net Income Per Share

Basic net income per share is computed using the weighted-average number of outstanding shares of common stock during the period. Diluted net income 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, and for 2010, shares that were purchasable pursuant to the Company’s employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”) using the treasury stock method. The Company’s ESPP was suspended in 2011 and there were no offerings in 2011. The computation of net income per share is as follows:

	Three months ended				Nine months ended
	September 30, 2011		September 30, 2010		September 30, 2011		September 30, 2010
	(in thousands, except per share data)
Basic earnings per share:
Net income	$	62,460	$	37,967	$	190,907	$	113,758
Shares used in computation:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding		52,569		52,142		52,599		52,510
Basic earnings per share	$	1.19	$	0.73	$	3.63	$	2.17
Diluted earnings per share:
Net income	$	62,460	$	37,967	$	190,907	$	113,758
Shares used in computation:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding		52,569		52,142		52,599		52,510
Employee stock options and employee stock purchase plan shares		1,301		1,789		1,409		1,831
Weighted-average number of shares		53,870		53,931		54,008		54,341
Diluted earnings per share	$	1.16	$	0.70	$	3.53	$	2.09

5

Employee stock options with exercise prices greater than the average market price of the common stock during the period were excluded from the diluted calculation as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. The number of options excluded for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 were 188,609 and 75,823, respectively. The number of options excluded for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 was immaterial.

3. Short-Term Investments and Fair Value Measurement

The Company’s investment policy is consistent with the definition of available-for-sale securities. The Company does not buy and hold securities principally for the purpose of selling them in the near future. The Company’s policy is focused on the preservation of capital, liquidity and return. From time to time, the Company may sell certain securities but the objectives are generally not to generate profits on short-term differences in price. The following table summarizes, by major security type, our assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and are categorized using the fair value hierarchy:

	September 30, 2011
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Estimated Fair Value
	(in thousands)
Cash	$	157,229	$	—	$	—		$	157,229
Level 1 securities (1):
Money market funds		6,532		—		—			6,532
Level 2 securities (3):
Corporate debt securities		116,569		743		(171	)		117,141
Government and agency securities		87,663		740		—			88,403
Asset and mortgage-backed securities		970		59		—			1,029
	$	368,963	$	1,542	$	(171	)	$	370,334
Less: Long-term restricted cash (1)									(4,562	)
Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments								$	365,772

	December 31, 2010
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Estimated Fair Value
	(in thousands)
Cash	$	194,146	$	—	$	—		$	194,146
Level 1 securities (2):
Money market funds		4,914		—		—			4,914
Level 2 securities (3):
Corporate debt securities		109,745		1,043		(101	)		110,687
Government and agency securities		42,062		331		(101	)		42,292
Asset and mortgage-backed securities		2,881		168		(140	)		2,909
	$	353,748	$	1,542	$	(342	)		354,948
Less: Long-term restricted cash (2)									(4,561	)
Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments								$	350,387

(1) Includes $2.0 million that is included in cash and cash equivalents and $4.6 million of long-term restricted cash that is included in other non-current assets related to workers compensation deposits.

(2) Includes $0.4 million that is included in cash and cash equivalents and $4.6 million of long-term restricted cash that is included in other non-current assets related to workers compensation deposits.

(3) Included in short-term investments.

Fair value is a market-based measurement that should be 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. Our procedures include controls to ensure that appropriate fair values are recorded such as comparing prices obtained from multiple independent sources. See Note 4 for further information regarding the fair value of the Company’s 8.50% senior notes.

6

Because the Company does not intend to sell the investments that are in an unrealized loss position and it is not likely that the Company will be required to sell any investments before recovery of their amortized cost basis, the Company does not consider those investments with an unrealized loss to be other-than-temporarily impaired at September 30, 2011. There were no material other-than-temporary impairments or credit losses related to available-for-sale securities in the three or nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010. In addition, there were no material gross realized gains or losses in the three or nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.

The estimated fair value of short-term investments by contractual maturity as of September 30, 2011 is as follows:

	(in thousands)
Due within one year	$	96,056
Due after one year and through 5 years		109,488
Due after 5 years and through 10 years		—
Due after 10 years		1,029
Total short-term investments	$	206,573

4. Long-term Debt

As of September 30, 2011, the Company had $200.0 million of long-term debt outstanding. The debt consists of $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8.50% senior notes due November 15, 2017 (the “Notes”). Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually at a rate of 8.50% per annum on May 15 and November 15 of each year, commencing on May 15, 2010.

The Notes include, among other terms and conditions, limitations on the Company’s ability to create, incur, assume or be liable for indebtedness (other than specified types of permitted indebtedness); dispose of assets outside the ordinary course (subject to specified exceptions); acquire, merge or consolidate with or into another person or entity (other than specified types of permitted acquisitions); create, incur or allow any lien on any of its property or assign any right to receive income (except for specified permitted liens); make investments (other than specified types of investments); or pay dividends, make distributions, or purchase or redeem the Company’s equity interests (each subject to specified exceptions). At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.

Based on quoted market prices, the fair value of the Notes as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 was approximately $216.5 million and $225.0 million, respectively.

5. Balance Sheet Components

Content Library, Net

Content library and accumulated amortization are as follows:

	As of
	September 30, 2011			December 31, 2010
	(in thousands)
Streaming content library, gross	$	1,629,096		$	441,637
DVD content library, gross		604,139			627,392
Content library, gross		2,233,235			1,069,029
Less: accumulated amortization		(957,627	)		(707,050	)
Total content library, net		1,275,608			361,979
Less: Current content library, net		705,398			181,006
Content library, net	$	570,210		$	180,973

7

Property and Equipment, Net

Property and equipment and accumulated depreciation are as follows:

		As of
		September 30, 2011			December 31, 2010
		(in thousands)
Computer equipment	3 years	$	68,907		$	60,289
Operations and other equipment	5 years		100,262			72,368
Software, including internal-use software	3 years		36,012			26,961
Furniture and fixtures	3 years		14,361			11,438
Building	30 years		40,681			40,681
Leasehold improvements	Over life of lease		41,027			36,530
Capital work-in-progress			4,095			16,882
Property and equipment, gross			305,345			265,149
Less: accumulated depreciation			(161,352	)		(136,579	)
Property and equipment, net		$	143,993		$	128,570

Accounts Payable and Other Non-Current Liabilities

Accounts payable consisted of the following:

	As of
	September 30, 2011		December 31, 2010
	(in thousands)
Streaming content	$	653,591	$	136,974
Other		96,516		85,850
Accounts payable	$	750,107	$	222,824

Other non-current liabilities consisted of the following:

	As of
	September 30, 2011		December 31, 2010
	(in thousands)
Streaming content	$	348,182	$	48,179
Other		24,658		21,022
Other non-current liabilities	$	372,840	$	69,201

The Company typically enters into multi-year licenses with studios and other distributors that may result in an increase in content library and a corresponding increase in accounts payable and other non-current liabilities. The payment terms for these license fees may extend over the term of the license agreement, which typically range from six months to five years. As of September 30, 2011, streaming content accounts payable and non-current streaming content liabilities increased $516.6 million and $300.0 million, respectively, as compared to December 31, 2010, due to the $1,344.2 million in additions to the streaming content library.

6. Other Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income was $62.2 million and $38.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Comprehensive income was $190.7 million and $114.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The difference between net income as reported and comprehensive income is unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, net of tax.

8

7. Stockholders’ Equity

Stock Repurchases

Under the Company’s current stock repurchase plan, announced on June 11, 2010, the Company is authorized to repurchase up to $300.0 million of its common stock through the end of 2012. During the three months ended September 30, 2011, the Company repurchased 182,000 shares at an average price of $218 per share for an aggregate amount of $39.6 million. During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company repurchased 899,847 shares at an average price of $222 per share for an aggregate amount of $199.7 million. As of September 30, 2011, $41.0 million of this authorization is remaining. The timing and actual number of shares repurchased is at management’s discretion and will depend on various factors including price, corporate and regulatory requirements, debt covenant requirements, alternative investment opportunities and other market conditions.

Shares repurchased by the Company are accounted for when the transaction is settled. As of September 30, 2011, there were no unsettled share repurchases. Shares repurchased and retired are deducted from common stock for par value and from additional paid-in capital for the excess over par value. If additional paid- in capital has been exhausted, the excess over par value is deducted from retained earnings. Direct costs incurred to acquire the shares are included in the total cost of the shares. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, $7.8 million and $40.9 million, respectively, were deducted from retained earnings related to share repurchases.

Stock-Based Compensation

A summary of the activity related to the Company’s stock option plans during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 is as follows:

	Shares Available for Grant			Options Outstanding					Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (in Years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in Thousands)
				Number of Shares			Weighted- Average Exercise Price
Balances as of December 31, 2010		2,038,502			2,892,130		$	36.11
Granted		(341,474	)		341,474			234.67
Exercised		—			(621,989	)		29.88
Balances as of September 30, 2011		1,697,028			2,611,615			63.55		5.95	$	176,151
Vested and exercisable at September 30, 2011					2,611,615			63.55		5.95	$	176,151

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 2011 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 September 30, 2011. This amount changes based on the fair market value of the Company’s common stock. Total intrinsic value of options exercised for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 was $32.2 million and $44.8 million, respectively. Total intrinsic value of options exercised for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 was $125.6 million and $100.7 million, respectively.

The following table summarizes the assumptions used to value stock option grants using the lattice-binomial model:

	Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2011	September 30, 2010	September 30, 2011	September 30, 2010
Dividend yield	0%	0%	0%	0%
Expected volatility	52%	54%	51-52%	46-54%
Risk-free interest rate	2.98%	2.97%	2.98-3.42%	2.97-3.67%
Suboptimal exercise factor	2.26-3.63	2.00-2.40	2.17-3.63	1.78-2.40

In the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company used a suboptimal exercise factor ranging from 3.39 to 3.63 for executives and 2.17 to 2.26, respectively for non-executives, resulting in a calculated expected life of the option grants of eight years for executives and five years for non-executives. In the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company used a suboptimal exercise factor ranging from 2.15 to 2.40 for executives and 1.78 to 2.00 for non-executives, resulting in a calculated expected life of the option grants of five years for executives and four years for non-executives.

The weighted-average fair value of employee stock options granted during the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 was $137.90 and $56.55 per share, respectively. The weighted-average fair value of employee stock options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 was $127.41 and $40.96 per share, respectively.

9

The following table summarizes the assumptions used to value employee stock purchase rights for the offering period commencing in May 2010, using the Black Scholes option pricing model. There were no ESPP offerings in 2011, and the Company does not expect any future ESPP offerings.

	Nine Months Ended  September 30, 2010
Dividend yield		0	%
Expected volatility		45	%
Risk-free interest rate		0.24	%
Expected life (in years)		0.5

Cash received from the issuance of common stock for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 was $4.4 million and $10.9 million, respectively. Cash received from the issuance of common stock for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 was $18.6 million and $34.0 million, respectively.

The following table summarizes stock-based compensation expense, net of tax, related to stock option plans and employee stock purchases for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 which was allocated as follows:

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2011			2010			2011			2010
	(in thousands)
Fulfillment expense	$	206		$	323		$	1,446		$	806
Technology and development		7,522			2,694			19,819			6,939
Marketing		1,539			777			4,273			2,176
General and administrative		6,438			3,502			17,967			9,805
Stock-based compensation expense before income taxes		15,705			7,296			43,505			19,726
Income tax benefit		(5,228	)		(3,064	)		(16,066	)		(8,118	)
Total stock-based compensation after income taxes	$	10,477		$	4,232		$	27,439		$	11,608

8. Income Taxes

The effective tax rates for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 were 33.3% and 42.0%, respectively. The effective tax rates for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 were 36.9% and 41.1%, respectively. As of December 31, 2010, the Company had $20.7 million of gross unrecognized tax benefits. During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company had an increase in gross unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $5.6 million. The gross unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized by the Company, will result in a reduction of approximately $21.0 million to the provision for income taxes thereby favorably impacting the Company’s effective tax rate. The Company’s unrecognized tax benefits are classified as “Other non-current liabilities” in the consolidated balance sheet. Income tax benefits attributable to the exercise of employee stock options of $11.6 million and $16.1million, during the three month period ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, were recorded directly to additional paid-in capital. Income tax benefits attributable to the exercise of employee stock options of $45.0 million and $34.6 million, during the nine month period ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, were recorded directly to additional paid-in capital.

The Company includes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within the provision for income taxes. As of September 30, 2011, the total amount of gross interest and penalties accrued was $1.8 million, which is classified as “Other non-current liabilities” in the consolidated balance sheet.

The Company files U.S. federal and state tax returns. The Company is currently under examination by the IRS for the years 2008 and 2009, and the year 2010 remains subject to examination by the IRS. The statute of limitations for years 1997 through 2007 expired in September 2011 which resulted in a discrete benefit of approximately $3.5 million in the three months ended September 30, 2011. The Company is currently under examination by the state of California for the years 2006 and 2007. The years 1997 through 2005, as well as 2008 through 2010, remain subject to examination by the state of California.

Given the potential outcome of the current examinations, it is reasonably possible that the balance of unrecognized tax benefits could significantly change within the next twelve months. However, at this time, an estimate of the range of reasonably possible adjustments to the balance of unrecognized tax benefits cannot be made.

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9. Commitments and Contingencies

Streaming Content

The Company had $3,458.9 million and $1,123.4 million of obligations at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, including agreements to acquire and license streaming content that represent long-term liabilities or that are not reflected on the consolidated balance sheets because they do not meet content library asset recognition criteria. The license agreements do not meet content library asset recognition criteria because either the fee is not known or reasonably determinable for a specific title or it is known but the title is not yet available for streaming to subscribers. For those agreements with variable terms, the Company does not estimate what the total obligation may be beyond any minimum quantities and/ or pricing as of the reporting date. For those agreements that include renewal provisions that are solely at the option of the content provider, the Company includes the commitments associated with the renewal period to the extent such commitments are fixed or a minimum amount is specified.

The expected timing of payments as of September 30, 2011 for these commitments is as follows:

	(in thousands)
Less than one year	$	740.8
Due after one year and through 3 years		2,136.9
Due after 3 years and through 5 years		535.7
Due after 5 years		45.5
Total streaming content obligations	$	3,458.9

The Company has entered into certain license agreements that include an unspecified or a maximum number of titles that the Company may or may not receive in the future and /or that include pricing contingent upon certain variables, such as theatrical exhibition receipts for the title. As of the reporting date, it is unknown whether the Company will receive access to these titles or what the ultimate price per title will be. Accordingly, such amounts are not reflected in the commitments described above. However such amounts, are expected to be significant and the expected timing of payments could range from less than one year to more than five years.

In addition to the streaming content obligations above, the Company has licenses with certain performing rights organizations (“PRO”), and is currently involved in negotiations with other PROs, that hold certain rights to music used in connection with streaming content. For the latter, the Company accrues for estimated royalties that are due to PROs and adjusts these accruals based on any changes in estimates. While the Company anticipates finalizing these negotiations, the outcome of these negotiations is uncertain. Additionally, pending litigation between certain PROs and other third parties could impact our negotiations. If the Company is unable to reach mutually acceptable terms with the PROs, the Company could become involved in similar litigation. The results of any negotiation or litigation may be materially different from management’s estimates.

Litigation

From time to time, in the normal course of its operations, the Company is a party 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.

On March 29, 2010, Parallel Networks, LLC filed a complaint for patent infringement against the Company and others in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, captioned Parallel Networks, LLC v. Abercrombie & Fitch Co., et. al , Civil Action No 6:10-cv-00111-LED. The complaint alleges that the Company infringed U.S. Patent No. 6,446,111 entitled “Method and Apparatus for Client-Server Communication Using a Limited Capability Client Over a Low-Speed Communication Link,” issued on September 3, 2002. The complaint seeks unspecified compensatory and enhanced damages, interest and fees, and seeks to permanently enjoin the Company from infringing the patent in the future. With respect to this matter, management has determined that a potential loss is not probable and accordingly, no amount has been accrued. Management has determined a potential loss is reasonably possible as it is defined by the Financial Accounting Standard Board’s Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 450 Contingencies; however, based on its current knowledge, management does not believe that the amount of such possible loss or a range of potential loss is reasonably estimable.

On September 25, 2009, Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc. filed a complaint for patent infringement against the Company in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, captioned Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc. v. Amazon.com Inc., et. al, Civil Action No. 6:09-cv-422. The complaint alleges that the Company infringed U.S. Patents Nos. 5,649,131 entitled “Communications Protocol” issued on July 15, 1997; 5,623,656 entitled “Script Based Data Communication System and Method Utilizing State Memory” issued on April 22, 1997; and 5,404,507 entitled “Apparatus and Method for Finding Records in a Database by Formulating a Query Using Equivalent Terms Which Correspond to Terms in the Input Query,” issued April 4, 1995. The complaint sought unspecified compensatory and enhanced damages, interest, costs and fees, and sought to permanently enjoin the Company from infringing the patents in the future. On September 21, 2011, this case was dismissed with prejudice.

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In January through April of 2009, a number of purported anti-trust class action suits were filed against the Company in various United States Federal Courts. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and Walmart.com USA LLC (collectively, Wal-Mart) were also named as defendants in these suits. These cases have been consolidated in the Northern District of California and have been assigned the multidistrict litigation number MDL-2029. A number of substantially similar suits were filed in California State Courts, and have been consolidated in Santa Clara County. The plaintiffs, who are current or former Netflix customers, generally allege that Netflix and Wal-Mart entered into an agreement to divide the markets for sales and online rentals of DVDs in the United States, which resulted in higher Netflix subscription prices. A number of other cases have been filed in Federal and State courts by current or former subscribers to the online DVD rental service offered by Blockbuster Inc., alleging injury arising from similar facts. These cases have been related to MDL 2029 or, in the case of the California State cases, coordinated with the cases in Santa Clara County. The complaint(s) seeks unspecified compensatory and enhanced damages, interest, costs and fees and other equitable relief. With respect to each of these matters, management has determined that a potential loss is not probable and accordingly, no amount has been accrued. Management has determined a potential loss is reasonably possible as it is defined by ASC 450; however, based on its current knowledge, management does not believe that the amount of such possible loss or a range of potential loss is reasonably estimable.

On October 24, 2008, Media Queue, LLC filed a complaint for patent infringement against the Company in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, captioned Media Queue, LLC v. Netflix, Inc., et. al , Civil Action No. CIV 08-402-KEW. The complaint alleges that the Company infringed U.S. Patent No. 7,389,243 entitled “Notification System and Method for Media Queue” issued on June 17, 2008. The complaint seeks unspecified compensatory and enhanced damages, interest and fees, and seeks to permanently enjoin the Company from infringing the patent in the future. On February 24, 2009, the case was transferred to the Northern District of California. On December 1, 2009, the Court granted the Company’s motion for summary judgment of non-infringement. On February 10, 2010, plaintiff appealed the summary judgment ruling. With respect to this matter, management has determined that a potential loss is not probable and accordingly, no amount has been accrued. Management has determined a potential loss is reasonably possible as it is defined by ASC 450; however, based on its current knowledge, management does not believe that the amount of such possible loss or a range of potential loss is reasonably estimable.

The Company is involved in other litigation matters not listed above 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.

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 financial statements with respect to these indemnification guarantees.

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10. Segment Information

In September 2010, the Company began international operations by offering an unlimited streaming plan without DVDs. At that time, the Company began segmenting operating results between Domestic and International. The Company presents the segment information along the same lines that the Company’s chief operating decision maker reviews the operating results in assessing performance and allocating resources. The Company’s chief operating decision maker reviews revenue and contribution profit for each of the reportable segments. Contribution profit is defined as revenues less cost of revenues and marketing expenses. There are no internal revenue transactions between the Company’s reporting segments. In addition, the Company does not identify or allocate its assets by reportable segment and all of the Company’s long lived tangible assets are held in the United States.

The Domestic segment derives revenue from monthly subscription services consisting of streaming content and DVD by mail. The Domestic segment operating income (loss) includes direct costs and allocations of “Cost of Revenues” and “Marketing” as well as all “Technology and Development” and “General and Administrative” costs, as these costs are incurred in the United States on the behalf of the consolidated entity.

The International segment derives revenue from monthly subscription services consisting solely of streaming content. The International segment contribution profit (loss) includes direct costs and allocations of “Cost of Revenues” and “Marketing.” Because no amount of “Technology and Development or “General and Administrative” costs are included in the International segment, contribution profit (loss) is equal to the International segment operating income (loss.)

13

Information on reportable segments and reconciliation to consolidated net income is as follows:

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2011			September 30, 2010			September 30, 2011			September 30, 2010
				(in thousands)
Domestic
Streaming subscriptions		21,448
DVD subscriptions		13,928
Total unique subscribers at end of period		23,789			16,800
Revenues	$	799,152		$	553,219		$	2,275,140		$	1,566,703
Cost of revenues and marketing expenses		579,720			423,013			1,655,828			1,194,861
Contribution profit		219,432			130,206			619,312			371,842
Other operating expenses		99,272			58,011			261,710			163,960
Segment operating income	$	120,160		$	72,195		$	357,602		$	207,882
International
Total unique subscribers at end of period		1,480			133
Revenues	$	22,687		$	—		$	53,862		$	—
Cost of revenues and marketing expenses		46,005			2,694			97,268			2,694
Contribution profit (loss)	$	(23,318	)	$	(2,694	)	$	(43,406	)	$	(2,694	)
Consolidated
Total unique subscribers at end of period		25,269			16,933
Revenues	$	821,839		$	553,219		$	2,329,002		$	1,566,703
Cost of revenues and marketing expenses		625,725			425,707			1,753,096			1,197,555
Contribution profit		196,114			127,512			575,906			369,148
Other operating expenses		99,272			58,011			261,710			163,960
Operating income	$	96,842		$	69,501		$	314,196		$	205,188
Other income (expense)		(3,219	)		(4,092	)		(11,509	)		(12,051	)
Provision for income taxes		31,163			27,442			111,780			79,379
Net income	$	62,460		$	37,967		$	190,907		$	113,758

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to statements regarding: our core strategy; international expansion plans; our operating result trends, including subscriber additions, revenue and operating margins; impacts arising from our service offering changes; liquidity; our content library investments; future contractual obligations; and tax accounting . These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those included in forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 18, 2011, in particular the risk factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item IA.

We assume no obligation to revise or publicly release any revision to any forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, unless required by law.

Overview

We are the world’s leading Internet subscription service for enjoying TV shows and movies. Our subscribers can instantly watch unlimited TV shows and movies streamed over the Internet to their TVs, computers and mobile devices and in the United States, our subscribers can receive standard definition DVDs, and their high definition successor, Blu-ray discs (collectively referred to as “DVD”) delivered quickly to their homes.

Our core strategy is to grow our streaming subscription business domestically and globally. We are continuously improving the customer experience, with a focus on expanding our streaming content, enhancing our user interface and extending our streaming service to even more Internet-connected devices, while staying within the parameters of our contribution profit targets. In the past, we have focused on operating margin targets. Going forward, we will be operating within the parameters of contribution profit targets for each of our operating segments. Contribution profit is defined as revenue less cost of revenues and marketing expenses.

We are a pioneer in the Internet delivery of TV shows and movies, launching our streaming service in 2007. Since this launch, we have developed an ecosystem of Internet-connected devices and have licensed increasing amounts of content that enable consumers to enjoy TV shows and movies directly on their television sets, computers and mobile devices. As a result of these efforts, we have experienced growing consumer acceptance of and interest in the delivery of TV shows and movies directly over the Internet. We believe that the DVD portion of our service will be a fading differentiator to our streaming success and that offering separate streaming and DVD by mail services will help us prosper in streaming while allowing us to also renew focus on DVDs by mail.

In September 2010, we began international operations by offering an unlimited streaming plan without DVDs in Canada. In September 2011, we expanded our international offering of unlimited streaming without DVDs to Latin America and the Caribbean. We recently announced plans to launch our service in the UK and Ireland starting in Q1 of 2012. We anticipate significant contribution losses in the International segment in 2011 and 2012. After launching in the UK and Ireland, we will pause on opening new international markets.

In July 2011, we introduced DVD only plans and separated the unlimited DVDs by mail and unlimited streaming into separate plans. This resulted in a price increase for our members who were taking a combination of both our unlimited DVDs by mail and unlimited streaming services. We made a subsequent announcement during the quarter concerning the rebranding of our DVD by mail service as Qwikster and the separation of the Qwikster and Netflix websites. The consumer reaction to the price change, and to a lesser degree, the branding announcement, was very negative, leading to significant customer cancellations and a decline in gross subscriber additions. We subsequently retracted our plans to rebrand our DVD by mail service and separate the DVD by mail and streaming websites. If we do not reverse the negative consumer sentiment toward our brand and if we continue to experience significant customer cancellations and a decline in subscriber additions, our results of operations including our cash flow will be adversely impacted.

The following represents our consolidated performance highlights for the three months ended September 30, 2011, June 30, 2011 and September 30, 2010 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and September 30, 2010:

	Three Months Ended							Change
	September 30, 2011			June 30, 2011		September 30, 2010		Q3’11 vs. Q2’11			Q3’11 vs. Q3’10
	(in thousands, except per share data and percentages)
Total subscribers at end of period		25,269			25,561		16,933		(1.1	)%		49.2	%
Net subscriber additions		(292	)		1,961		1,932		(114.9	)%		(115.1	)%
Revenues	$	821,839		$	788,610	$	553,219		4.2	%		48.6	%
Operating income		96,842			115,114		69,501		(15.9	)%		39.3	%
Net income		62,460			68,214		37,967		(8.4	)%		64.5	%
Net income per share — diluted	$	1.16		$	1.26	$	0.70		(7.9	)%		65.7	%
Free cash flow	$	13,781		$	59,545	$	7,767		(76.9	)%		77.4	%

	Nine Months Ended				Change
	September 30, 2011		September 30, 2010		YTD ‘11 vs. YTD ‘10
	(in thousands, except per share data and percentages)
Total subscribers at end of period		25,269		16,933		49.2	%
Net subscriber additions		5,259		4,665		12.7	%
Revenues	$	2,329,002	$	1,566,703		48.7	%
Operating income		314,196		205,188		53.1	%
Net income		190,907		113,758		67.8	%
Net income per share — diluted	$	3.53	$	2.09		68.9	%
Free cash flow (1)	$	152,629	$	79,574		91.8	%

(1) See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” for a definition of “free cash flow” and a reconciliation of “free cash flow” to “net cash provided by operating activities.”

Following the announcement of changes to our plan offerings, pricing, and branding in the third quarter of 2011, domestic churn increased to 6.3% for the third quarter of 2011 as compared to 4.2% in the second quarter of 2011 and 3.8% in the third quarter of 2010. This coupled with a decline in domestic gross subscriber additions of 11.3% from June 30, 2011 to September 30, 2011 resulted in negative domestic net subscriber additions of 0.8 million. Despite the loss in domestic subscribers in the third quarter of 2011, our consolidated revenues were up 4.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2011, as most cancellations occurred late in the quarter. Domestic gross subscriber additions were up 18.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2010, contributing to the increase in total subscribers of 49.2% as of September 30, 2011 as compared to September 30, 2010. This was the primary driver in the 48.6% increase in consolidated revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to September 30, 2010.

We expect that as a result of the increase in subscriber cancellations and migration of our subscribers towards streaming only and lower priced DVD plans, offset by increases in international revenues, consolidated revenue will be relatively flat until we can achieve positive net subscriber additions.

In the third quarter, our International segment reported a contribution loss of $23.3 million and we expect that our planned expansion to the UK and Ireland in the first quarter of 2012 will result in further losses as our investments in content in particular will exceed revenues while we grow our subscriber base. As a result of the flat consolidated revenues and the increasing investment in our International segment, we expect to incur consolidated net losses in 2012.

15

Free cash flow in the third quarter of 2011 declined as compared to the prior quarter to $13.8 million but increased 77.4% as compared to the same quarter in 2010. Free cash flow was $48.7 million lower than net income of $62.5 million, largely due to the increase in excess streaming and DVD content payments over expense. In particular, we invested significantly in content for Latin America and this content did not become available for viewing until our launch in September. The excess streaming and DVD content payments over expense will continue to fluctuate over time based on new streaming content licenses domestically and internationally. We expect that free cash flow in 2012 will be negatively impacted by our expected consolidated net losses and that we may use cash in future periods.

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth, for the periods presented, the line items in our consolidated statements of operations as a percentage of total revenues. The information contained in the table below should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, notes to the consolidated financial statements and the entirety of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

	Three Months Ended									Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2011			June 30, 2011			September 30, 2010			September 30, 2011			September 30, 2010
Revenues		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%
Cost of revenues:
Subscription		57.4	%		54.3	%		52.9	%		54.8	%		52.2	%
Fulfillment expenses		7.9	%		7.8	%		9.4	%		8.1.	%		9.5	%
Total cost of revenues		65.3	%		62.1	%		62.3	%		62.9	%		61.7	%
Operating expenses:
Technology and development		8.5	%		7.3	%		7.6	%		7.7	%		7.5	%
Marketing		10.8	%		12.0	%		14.7	%		12.4	%		14.7	%
General and administrative		3.6	%		4.0	%		2.8	%		3.5	%		3.0	%
Total operating expenses		22.9	%		23.3	%		25.1	%		23.6	%		25.2	%
Operating income		11.8	%		14.6	%		12.6	%		13.5	%		13.1	%
Other income (expense):
Interest expense		(0.6	)%		(0.7	)%		(0.9	)%		(0.6	)%		(0.9	)%
Interest and other income		0.2	%		0.2	%		0.2	%		0.1	%		0.1	%
Income before income taxes		11.4	%		14.1	%		11.9	%		13.0	%		12.3	%
Provision for income taxes		3.8	%		5.5	%		5.0	%		4.8	%		5.0	%
Net income		7.6	%		8.6	%		6.9	%		8.2	%		7.3	%

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Revenues

We derive substantially all of our revenues from monthly subscription fees and recognize subscription revenues ratably over each subscriber’s monthly subscription period. We currently generate substantially all of our revenues in the United States.

In the Domestic segment, we derive revenues from services consisting of streaming content and DVDs by mail. In July 2011, in the United States, we announced certain changes to our plan offerings and price structure. As part of these changes, we introduced subscription plans that include only DVDs by mail and made it necessary for subscribers who opt to receive both DVDs and streaming to have two separate subscription plans. Our unlimited streaming plan is priced at $7.99 per month in the United States. The price per plan for DVDs by mail varies based on the number of DVDs that a subscriber may have out at any given point. Customers electing access to high definition Blu-ray discs in addition to standard definition DVDs pay a surcharge ranging from $1 to $4 per month for our most popular plans.

In the International segment, we derive revenues from services consisting solely of streaming content. In September 2010, we began international operations in Canada and in September 2011, we expanded this offering to Latin America and the Caribbean. We recently announced plans to launch our service in the UK and Ireland starting in Q1 of 2012. After launching in the UK and Ireland, we will pause on opening new international markets.

As a result of the changes to our pricing and plan structure, we no longer offer a hybrid DVD and streaming plan and subscribers who wish to receive DVDs by mail and watch streaming content must elect both a DVD subscription plan and a streaming subscription plan. Accordingly, beginning with the third quarter of 2011, management reviews the number of subscriptions as the key driver of revenues. Our key subscriber metrics shown below reflect these changes.

The following table presents our subscription plan information as of September 30, 2011 (in thousands):

Subscriptions:
Paid domestic streaming	20,511
Ending domestic streaming	21,448
Paid domestic DVD	13,813
Ending domestic DVD	13,928
Paid international streaming	989
Ending international streaming	1,480

	As of/ Three Months Ended
	September 30, 2011			June 30, 2011			September 30, 2010
	(in thousands)
Subscribers:
Domestic hybrid streaming and DVD by mail:
Net additions					(196	)		1,799
Ending subscribers					18,856			16,800
Domestic streaming only:
Net additions					1,993			—
Ending subscribers					5,738			—
Total domestic unique subscribers:
Net additions		(805	)		1,797			1,799
Ending subscribers		23,789			24,594			16,800
International streaming:
Net additions		513			164			133
Ending subscribers		1,480			967			133
Total unique subscribers:
Net additions		(292	)		1,961			1,932
Paid subscribers		23,832			24,120			15,863
Ending subscribers		25,269			25,561			16,933

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Three months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2010

	Three Months Ended				Change
	September 30, 2011		September 30, 2010		Q3’11 vs. Q3’10
	(in thousands, except percentages and average monthly revenue per paying  subscriber)
Revenues	$	821,839	$	553,219		48.6	%
Domestic		799,152		553,219		44.5	%
International		22,687		—		100	%
Other domestic data:
Average number of paying subscribers		23,053		15,220		51.5	%
Average monthly revenue per paying subscriber	$	11.56	$	12.12		(4.6	)%

The $268.6 million increase in our consolidated revenues was primarily a result of the 51.5% growth in the domestic average number of paying subscribers. This increase was partially offset by a 4.6% decline in the domestic average monthly revenue per paying subscriber to $11.56, resulting from the continued growth of our lower priced subscription plans. During the quarter ended September 30, 2011, 83.6% of our new gross domestic subscribers had chosen an unlimited streaming subscription plan, which is priced at $7.99 per month. We had no subscribers with the unlimited streaming subscription plan during the quarter ended September 30, 2010, as it was not introduced domestically until November 2010.

Nine months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2010

	Nine Months Ended				Change
	September 30, 2011		September 30, 2010		YTD’11 vs. YTD’10
	(in thousands, except percentages and average monthly revenue per paying  subscriber)
Revenues	$	2,329,002	$	1,566,703		48.7	%
Domestic		2,275,140		1,566,703		45.2	%
International		53,862		—		100	%
Other domestic data:
Average number of paying subscribers		21,686		14,026		54.6	%
Average monthly revenue per paying subscriber	$	11.66	$	12.41		(6.0	)%

The $762.3 million increase in our consolidated revenues was primarily a result of the 54.6% growth in the domestic average number of paying subscribers. This increase was partially offset by a 6.0% decline in the domestic average monthly revenue per paying subscriber to $11.66, resulting from the continued growth of our lower priced subscription plans.

Three months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2011

	Three Months Ended				Change
	September 30, 2011		June 30, 2011		Q3’11 vs. Q2’11
	(in thousands, except percentages and average monthly revenue per paying  subscriber)
Revenues	$	821,839	$	788,610		4.2	%
Domestic		799,152		769,714		3.8	%
International		22,687		18,896		20.1	%
Other domestic data:
Average number of paying subscribers		23,053		22,334		3.2	%
Average monthly revenue per paying subscriber	$	11.56	$	11.49		0.6	%

The $33.2 million increase in our consolidated revenues was primarily a result of the 3.2% growth in the domestic average number of paying subscribers.

We expect the streaming subscription plans offered both domestically and internationally to continue to grow as a percentage of our total subscriber base. We expect that as a result of the increase in subscriber cancellations and migration of our subscribers towards streaming subscription plans and lower priced DVD subscription plans, offset by increases in international revenues, consolidated revenue will be relatively flat until we can achieve positive net subscriber additions.

Cost of Revenues

Cost of Subscription

Cost of subscription revenues consists of expenses related to the acquisition and licensing of content, as well as content delivery costs related to providing streaming content and shipping DVDs to subscribers. Costs related to free-trial periods are allocated to marketing expenses.

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Content acquisition and licensing expenses consist primarily of amortization of streaming content licenses, which may or may not be recognized in the streaming content library, amortization of DVD content library and revenue sharing expenses. We obtain content through streaming content license agreements, DVD direct purchases and DVD and streaming revenue sharing agreements with studios, distributors and other suppliers. Content agreements are made in the ordinary course of business and our business is not substantially dependent on any particular agreement.

Content delivery expenses consist of the postage costs to mail DVDs to and from our paying subscribers, the packaging and label costs for the mailers and all costs associated with streaming content over the Internet. We utilize third-party content delivery networks to help us efficiently stream content in high volume to our subscribers over the Internet.

Three months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2010

	Three Months Ended						Change
	September 30, 2011			September 30, 2010			Q3’11 vs. Q3’10
	(in thousands, except percentages)
Cost of subscription	$	471,823		$	292,406			61.4	%
As a percentage of revenues		57.4	%		52.9	%

The $179.4 million increase in cost of subscription revenues was primarily due to a $191.8 million increase in content acquisition and licensing expenses mostly attributable to new streaming content licenses.

Nine months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2010

	Nine Months Ended						Change
	September 30, 2011			September 30, 2010			YTD’11 vs. YTD’10
	(in thousands, except percentages)
Cost of subscription	$	1,277,018		$	817,353			56.2	%
As a percentage of revenues		54.8	%		52.2	%

The $459.7 million increase in cost of subscription revenues was primarily due to a $465.4 million increase in content acquisition and licensing expenses mostly attributable to new streaming content licenses.

Three months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2011

	Three Months Ended						Change
	September 30, 2011			June 30, 2011			Q3’11 vs. Q2’11
	(in thousands, except percentages)
Cost of subscription	$	471,823		$	428,203			10.2	%
As a percentage of revenues		57.4	%		54.3	%

The $43.6 million increase in cost of subscription revenues was primarily due to a $52.1 million increase in content acquisition and licensing expenses mostly attributable to new streaming content licenses.

We expect to continue to make substantial investments in our streaming content library and expect spending to increase significantly in future periods.

Fulfillment Expenses

Fulfillment expenses represent those expenses incurred in content processing including operating and staffing our shipping centers as well as receiving, encoding, inspecting and warehousing our content library. Fulfillment expenses also include operating and staffing our customer service centers and credit card fees.

Three months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2010

	Three Months Ended						Change
	September 30, 2011			September 30, 2010			Q3’11 vs. Q3’10
	(in thousands, except percentages)
Fulfillment expenses	$	64,794		$	52,063			24.5	%
As a percentage of revenues		7.9	%		9.4	%

The $12.7 million increase in fulfillment expenses was primarily due to a $9.0 million increase in credit card fees as a result of the 48.6% growth in revenues.

Nine months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2010

	Nine Months Ended						Change
	September 30, 2011			September 30, 2010			YTD’11 vs. YTD’10
	(in thousands except percentages)
Fulfillment expenses	$	187,728		$	149,212			25.8	%
As a percentage of revenues		8.1	%		9.5	%

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The $38.5 million increase in fulfillment expenses was due to the following:

• Credit card fees increased $27.9 million as a result of the 48.7% growth in revenues; and

• Content processing and customer service related expenses increased $10.6 million primarily due to a $14.5 million increase in costs associated with customer service call centers, offset by a decrease of $4.5 million in hub operation expenses.

Three months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2011

	Three Months Ended						Change
	September 30, 2011			June 30, 2011			Q3’11 vs. Q2’11
	(in thousands, except percentages)
Fulfillment expenses	$	64,794		$	61,775			4.9	%
As a percentage of revenues		7.9	%		7.8	%

The $3.0 million increase in fulfillment expenses was primarily due to a $4.7 million increase in costs associated with customer service call centers.

Technology and Development

Technology and development expenses consist of payroll and related costs incurred in making improvements to our service offering, including testing, maintaining and modifying our user interface, our recommendation and merchandising technology, as well as, telecommunications systems and infrastructure and other internal-use software systems. Technology and development expenses also include costs associated with computer hardware and software.

Three months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2010

	Three Months Ended						Change
	September 30, 2011			September 30, 2010			Q3’11 vs. Q3’10
	(in thousands, except percentages)
Technology and development	$	69,480		$	42,108			65.0	%
As a percentage of revenues		8.5	%		7.6	%

The $27.4 million increase in technology and development expenses was primarily the result of a $22.3 million increase in personnel-related costs. This increase in personnel-related costs is due to a 63% growth in average headcount supporting continued improvements in our streaming service and our international expansion coupled with a $4.8 million increase in stock-based compensation expense resulting from the growth in average headcount.

Nine months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2010

	Nine Months Ended						Change
	September 30, 2011			September 30, 2010			YTD’11 vs. YTD’10
	(in thousands, except percentages)
Technology and development	$	178,250		$	117,370			51.9	%
As a percentage of revenues		7.7	%		7.5	%

The $60.9 million increase in technology and development expenses was primarily attributable to a $52.1 million increase in personnel-related costs. These increases are due to the 47% growth in average headcount supporting continued improvements in our streaming service and our international expansion coupled with a $12.9 million increase in stock-based compensation expense resulting from the growth in average headcount.

Three months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2011

	Three Months Ended						Change
	September 30, 2011			June 30, 2011			Q3’11 vs. Q2’11
	(in thousands, except percentages)
Technology and development	$	69,480		$	57,865			20.1	%
As a percentage of revenues		8.5	%		7.3	%

The $11.6 million increase in technology and development expenses was primarily the result of a $7.5 million increase in personnel-related costs. This increase in personnel-related costs is primarily due to a 19% growth in average headcount supporting continued improvements to our streaming service and our international expansion.

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Marketing

Marketing expenses consist primarily of advertising expenses and also include payments made to our affiliates and consumer electronics partners and payroll related expenses. Advertising expenses include promotional activities such as television and online advertising as well as allocated costs of revenues relating to free trial periods. Payments to our affiliates and consumer electronics partners may be in the form of a fixed-fee or may be a revenue sharing payment.

Three months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2010

	Three Months Ended						Change
	September 30, 2011			September 30, 2010			Q3’11 vs. Q3’10
	(in thousands, except percentages and subscriber acquisition cost)
Marketing	$	89,108		$	81,238			9.7	%
As a percentage of revenues		10.8	%		14.7	%
Other domestic data:
Gross subscriber additions		4,714			3,965			18.9	%
Subscriber acquisition cost	$	15.25		$	20.03			(23.9	)%
Churn (1)		6.3	%		3.8	%		65.8	%

(1) Churn is a monthly measure defined as customer cancellations in the quarter divided by the sum of beginning subscribers and gross subscriber additions, then divided by three months.

Following the announcement of changes to our plan offerings, pricing and branding in the third quarter of 2011, we experienced significant customer cancellations with churn increasing to 6.3% for the third quarter of 2011 as compared to 4.2% in the second quarter of 2011, and 3.8% in the third quarter of 2010.

The $7.9 million increase in marketing expenses was primarily attributable to a $14.7 million increase in marketing program spending attributable to increased spending in television, radio and online advertising primarily due to our launch in Latin America and the Caribbean, coupled with an increase in payments to our affiliates and consumer electronic partners. These increases were offset by a decrease in direct mail. In addition, cost of free trials decreased $9.1 million due to a 74% decrease in free shipments as the majority of our new domestic subscribers receiving free trials have chosen the unlimited streaming plan. Domestic subscriber acquisition cost decreased primarily due to organic growth in gross subscriber additions.

Nine months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2010

	Nine Months Ended						Change
	September 30, 2011			September 30, 2010			YTD’11 vs. YTD’10
	(in thousands, except percentages and subscriber acquisition cost)
Marketing	$	288,350		$	230,990			24.8	%
As a percentage of revenues		12.4	%		14.7	%
Other domestic data:
Gross subscriber additions		16,328			10,516			55.3	%
Subscriber acquisition cost	$	14.86		$	21.79			(31.8	)%
Churn		4.8	%		3.9	%		23.1	%

The $57.4 million increase in marketing expenses was primarily attributable to a $64.0 million increase in marketing program spending, primarily from increased spending in television, radio and online advertising, coupled with an increase in payments to our affiliates. These increases were offset by a decrease in payments to consumer electronic partners as well as a decrease in spending for direct mail and inserts. In addition, cost of free trials decreased by $11.6 million due to a 34% decrease in free shipments as the majority of our new domestic subscribers receiving free trials have chosen the unlimited streaming plan. Domestic subscriber acquisition cost decreased primarily due to organic growth in gross subscriber additions.

Three months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2011

	Three Months Ended						Change
	September 30, 2011			June 30, 2011			Q3’11 vs. Q2’11
	(in thousands, except percentages and subscriber acquisition cost)
Marketing	$	89,108		$	94,983			(6.2	)%
As a percentage of revenues		10.8	%		12.0	%
Other domestic data:
Gross subscriber additions		4,714			5,315			(11.3	)%
Subscriber acquisition cost	$	15.25		$	15.09			1.1	%
Churn		6.3	%		4.2	%		50.0	%

21

The $5.9 million decrease in marketing expenses was primarily due to a $5.0 million decrease in marketing program spending primarily due to a decrease in television spending and direct mail. In addition, cost of free trials decreased by $2.2 million due to a 53% decrease in free shipments as the majority of our new domestic subscribers receiving free trials have chosen the unlimited streaming plan.

General and Administrative

General and administrative expenses consist of payroll and related expenses for executive and administrative personnel, as well as recruiting, professional fees and other general corporate expenses. General and administrative expenses also include the gain on disposal of DVDs.

Three months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2010

	Three Months Ended						Change
	September 30, 2011			September 30, 2010			Q3’11 vs. Q3’10
	(in thousands, except percentages)
General and administrative	$	29,792		$	15,903			87.3	%
As a percentage of revenues		3.6	%		2.8	%

The $13.9 million increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily attributable to a $9.8 million increase in personnel-related costs, due to a $2.9 million increase in stock-based compensation expense and a 49% increase in average headcount.

Nine months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2010

	Nine Months Ended						Change
	September 30, 2011			September 30, 2010			YTD’11 vs. YTD’10
	(in thousands, except percentages)
General and administrative	$	83,460		$	46,590			79.1	%
As a percentage of revenues		3.5	%		3.0	%

The $36.9 million increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily attributable to a $21.4 million increase in personnel-related costs, due to an $8.2 million increase in stock-based compensation expense and a 31% increase in average headcount. In addition, legal expenses increased $7.1 million due to an increase in costs associated with various claims against us.

Three months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2011

	Three Months Ended						Change
	September 30, 2011			June 30, 2011			Q3’11 vs. Q2’11
	(in thousands, except percentages)
General and administrative	$	29,792		$	30,670			(2.9	)%
As a percentage of revenues		3.6	%		4.0	%

General and administrative expenses were relatively flat as compared to the prior period.

Income Taxes

Three months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2010

	Three Months Ended						Change
	September 30, 2011			September 30, 2010			Q3’11 vs. Q3’10
	(in thousands, except percentages)
Provision for income taxes	$	31,163		$	27,442			13.6	%
Effective tax rate		33.3	%		42.0	%

Our effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2011 was 33.3% and differed from the federal statutory rate due primarily to the expiration of a statute of limitations for years 1997 through 2007 resulting in a discrete benefit of $3.5 million, the Federal and California R&D tax credits and state taxes. The decrease in our effective tax rate was also attributable to the reinstatement of the Federal R&D credit in December 2010 not reflected in the three months ended September 30, 2010 and a lower effective tax rate for California.

22

Nine months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2010

	Nine Months Ended						Change
	September 30, 2011			September 30, 2010			YTD’11 vs. YTD’10
	(in thousands, except percentages)
Provision for income taxes	$	111,780		$	79,379			40.8	%
Effective tax rate		36.9	%		41.1	%

Our effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 was 36.9% and differed from the federal statutory rate due primarily to the expiration of a statute of limitations for years 1997 through 2007 resulting in a discrete benefit of $3.5 million, the Federal and California R&D tax credits and state taxes. The decrease in our effective tax rate was also attributable to the reinstatement of the Federal R&D credit in December 2010 not reflected in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and a lower effective tax rate for California.

Three months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2011

	Three Months Ended						Change
	September 30, 2011			June 30, 2011			Q3’11 vs. Q2’11
	(in thousands, except percentages)
Provision for income taxes	$	31,163		$	42,610			(26.9	)%
Effective tax rate		33.3	%		38.4	%

Our effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2011 was primarily attributable to the expiration of a statute of limitations for years 1997 through 2007, resulting in a discrete benefit of $3.5 million.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our primary source of liquidity has been cash generated from operations. Additionally, in November 2009, we issued $200 million of our 8.50% senior notes due in 2017. The debt consists of $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8.50% senior notes due November 15, 2017 (the “Notes”). Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually at a rate of 8.50% per annum on May 15 and November 15 of each year, commencing on May 15, 2010. (See “Note 4 Long-term Debt” to our condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information.)

Our primary uses of cash include the acquisition and licensing of content, content delivery expenses, marketing, our stock repurchase programs, payroll related expenses, and capital expenditures related to information technology and automation equipment. We expect to continue to make significant investments to license streaming content both domestically and internationally. These investments could impact our liquidity and in particular our operating cash flows.

As a result of the significant increase in subscriber cancellations resulting in flat consolidated revenue, coupled with increased investments in our International segment, and in International content in particular, we expect consolidated net losses and negative operating cash flows in future periods. Although we currently anticipate that our available funds will be sufficient to meet our cash needs for the foreseeable future, we may require or choose to obtain additional financing. Our ability to obtain additional financing will depend on, among other things, our development efforts, business plans, operating performance, current and projected compliance with our debt covenants, and the condition of the capital markets at the time we seek financing. We may not be able to obtain such financing on terms acceptable to us or at all. If we raise additional funds through the issuance of equity, equity-linked or debt securities, those securities may have rights, preferences or privileges senior to the rights of our common stock, and our stockholders may experience dilution.

On June 11, 2010, we announced that our Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program allowing us to repurchase $300 million of our common stock through the end of 2012. As of September 30, 2011, $41.0 million of this authorization was remaining. The timing and actual number of shares repurchased is in the discretion of management and will depend on various factors, including price, corporate and regulatory requirements, debt covenant requirements, alternative investment opportunities and other market conditions. As we expect to have negative operating cash flows in future periods, we do not expect to make further stock repurchases for the foreseeable future.

Cash Flow

Three months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2010

	Three Months Ended						Change
	September 30, 2011			September 30, 2011			Q3’11 vs. Q3’10
	(in thousands, except percentages)
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	49,531		$	42,227			17.3	%
Net cash used in investing activities		(41,581	)		(5,606	)		641.7	%
Net cash used in financing activities		(23,958	)		(30,840	)		(22.3	)%

Cash provided by operating activities increased $7.3 million or 17.3%, primarily due to an increase in cash received from subscribers for subscription fees of $272.9 million or 48.5%, partially offset by increased payments for streaming content acquisition and licensing of $216.3 million or 132.6%. Operating cash flows were further impacted by increased payroll expenses of $31.3 million, increased credit card fees of $9.0 million, a $4.6 million increase in payments for advertising and affiliates transactions and a $4.4 million increase in other operating expenses.

23

Cash used in investing activities increased $36.0 million primarily due to a $34.7 million increase in purchases, net of proceeds, of short-term investments. In addition, purchases of property and equipment increased $6.7 million primarily due to purchases of software licenses. These increases in cash outflows were partially offset by a $9.1 million decrease in acquisition of DVD content library, as more DVDs were obtained through revenue sharing agreements as compared to the same prior year period.

Cash used in financing activities decreased by $6.9 million primarily due to a $17.8 million decrease in repurchases of common stock. This decrease in cash used was partially offset by a $6.5 million decrease in proceeds from the issuance of common stock related to option exercises, and a decrease of $4.3 million in the excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation.

Nine months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2010

	Nine Months Ended						Change
	September 30, 2011			September 30, 2011			YTD’11 vs. YTD’10
	(in thousands, except percentages)
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	252,246		$	179,684			40.4	%
Net cash used in investing activities		(150,205	)		(57,898	)		159.4	%
Net cash used in financing activities		(137,341	)		(142,902	)		(3.9	)%

Cash provided by operating activities increased $72.6 million or 40.4%, primarily due to an increase in cash received from subscribers for subscription fees of $793.2 million or 50.5%, partially offset by increased payments for streaming content acquisition and licensing of $544.0 million or 149.7%. Operating cash flows were further impacted by increased payroll expenses of $68.0 million, a $41.5 million increase in payments for advertising and affiliates transactions, increased credit card fees of $27.9 million and a $10.6 million increase in excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation. Content delivery expenses increased $10.1 million, payments for equipment and software maintenance increased by $9.1 million and other operating expenses increased by $9.4 million.

Cash used in investing activities increased $92.3 million primarily due to a $92.8 million increase in purchases, net of proceeds, of short-term investments. In addition, purchases of property and equipment increased $19.6 million due to purchases of automation equipment for our various shipping centers, as well as purchases of software licenses. These increases in cash outflows were partially offset by a $29.0 million decrease in acquisitions of DVD content library, as more DVDs were obtained through revenue sharing agreements as compared to the same prior year period.

Cash used in financing activities decreased by $5.6 million primarily due to a $10.6 million decrease in repurchases of common stock, and a $10.6 million increase in the excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation. This was partially offset by a $15.4 million decrease in proceeds from the issuance of common stock related to option exercises.

Three months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2011

	Three Months Ended						Change
	September 30, 2011			June 30, 2011			Q3’11 vs. Q2’11
	(in thousands, except percentages)
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	49,531		$	86,392			(42.7	)%
Net cash used in investing activities		(41,581	)		(34,949	)		19.0	%
Net cash used in financing activities		(23,958	)		(26,655	)		(10.1	)%

Cash provided by operating activities decreased $36.9 million or 42.7%, primarily due to increased payments for streaming content acquisition and licensing of $87.2 million or 29.9%, partially offset by a $43.3 million or 5.5% increase in cash received from subscribers for subscription fees. Operating cash flows were further impacted by increased payroll expenses of $11.2 million, an increase of $7.3 million in content delivery expenses, and a $6.4 million increase in taxes paid during the quarter, as well as a $15.3 million decrease in payments for advertising and affiliate transactions, an $8.5 million decrease on interest paid on our Notes, as payments are made in May and November, and an $8.1 million decrease in other operating expenses.

Cash used in investing activities increased $6.6 million primarily due to a $5.5 million increase in the purchases of property and equipment due to purchases of software.

24

Cash used in financing activities decreased by $2.7 million primarily due to an $11.8 million decrease in repurchases of common stock. This decrease in cash used was partially offset by a $6.1 million decrease in the excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation and a $3.0 million decrease in proceeds from the issuance of common stock related to option exercises.

Free Cash Flow

We define free cash flow as cash provided by operating and investing activities excluding the non-operational cash flows from purchases, maturities and sales of short-term investments. We believe free cash flow is an important liquidity metric because it measures, during a given period, the amount of cash generated that is available to repay debt obligations, make investments, repurchase our stock, and for certain other activities. Free cash flow is considered a non-GAAP financial measure and should not be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, net income, operating income, cash flow from operating activities, or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. The following table reconciles net cash provided by operating activities, a GAAP financial measure, to free cash flow, a non-GAAP financial measure:

	Three Months Ended									Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2011			June 30, 2011			September 30, 2010			September 30, 2011			September 30, 2010
Non-GAAP free cash flow reconciliation:
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	49,531		$	86,392		$	42,227		$	252,246		$	179,684
Acquisition of DVD content library		(20,826	)		(19,065	)		(29,900	)		(62,010	)		(90,993	)
Purchases of property and equipment		(14,080	)		(8,626	)		(7,342	)		(39,026	)		(19,406	)
Other assets		(844	)		844			2,782			1,419			10,289
Non-GAAP free cash flow	$	13,781		$	59,545		$	7,767		$	152,629		$	79,574

In comparing free cash flow to net income, the major recurring differences are excess streaming and DVD payments over expenses, stock-based compensation expense, deferred revenue, taxes and semi-annual interest payments on the Notes. Because consumers use credit cards to buy from us, our receivables from customers settle quickly and deferred revenue is a source of cash flow. For streaming content, we typically enter into multi-year licenses with studios and other distributors that may result in an increase in content library and a corresponding increase in liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet. The payment terms for these license fees may extend over the term of the license agreement, which typically range from six months to five years. License fee obligations with payment terms that are due beyond one year are classified on the consolidated balance sheets as “Other non-current liabilities.” Minimum commitments for licenses and known titles that do not meet the criteria for asset recognition in the content library are included in Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements.

Free cash flow for the three months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to September 30, 2010 increased $6.0 million primarily due to increased net income of $24.5 million, increased deferred revenue of $12.4 million and increased stock-based compensation expense of $8.4 million. This was partially offset by an increase in excess streaming and DVD content payments over expenses of $15.4 million, a $6.5 million increase in excess property and equipment payments over expenses of $6.5 million and increased tax impacts of $3.0 million. Payments for content increased $207.2 million while content expenses increased $191.8 million.

Free cash flow for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to September 30, 2010 increased $73.1 million primarily due to increased net income of $77.2 million, increased stock-based compensation expense of $23.8 million, decreased tax impacts of $15.7 million, and increased deferred revenue of $30.9 million. This was partially offset by an increase in excess streaming and DVD content payments over expenses of $49.6 million. Payments for content increased $515.0 million while content expenses increased $465.4 million.

Free cash flow for the three months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to June 30, 2011 decreased $45.8 million primarily due to an increase in excess streaming and DVD content payments over expenses of $36.9 million. Payments for content increased $89.0 million while content expenses increased $52.1 million.

As a result of the significant increase in subscriber cancellations resulting in flat domestic revenue, coupled with increased investment in our International segment and in particular in international content, we expect consolidated net losses and negative free cash flows in future periods.

Effect of Exchange Rates

Revenues in our International segment, as well as some of the related expenses incurred in the International segment, are denominated in the local currency. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, the gains or losses on foreign exchange transactions and the effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents were immaterial.

25

Contractual Obligations

For the purposes of this table, contractual obligations for purchases of goods or services are defined as agreements that are enforceable and legally binding and that specify all significant terms, including: fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased; fixed, minimum or variable price provisions; and the approximate timing of the transaction. The expected timing of payment of the obligations discussed above is estimated based on information available to us as of September 30, 2011. Timing of payments and actual amounts paid may be different depending on the time of receipt of goods or services or changes to agreed-upon amounts for some obligations. The following table summarizes our contractual obligations at September 30, 2011:

	Payments due by Period
Contractual obligations (in thousands):	Total		Less than 1 year (3)		1-3 years		3-5 years		More than 5 years
8.50% senior notes	$	310,500	$	17,000	$	34,000	$	34,000	$	225,500
Operating lease obligations		58,005		16,242		25,423		13,264		3,076
Lease financing obligations (1)		20,311		4,174		6,328		5,886		3,923
Streaming content obligations (2)		3,458,863		740,800		2,136,853		535,709		45,501
Other purchase obligations		269,003		159,269		99,425		9,372		937
Total	$	4,116,682	$	937,485	$	2,302,029	$	598,231	$	278,937

(1) Represents the lease financing obligations for our Los Gatos, California headquarters.

(2) Streaming content obligations include agreements to acquire and license streaming content that represent long-term liabilities or that are not reflected on the consolidated balance sheets. For those agreements with variable terms, we do not estimate what the total obligation may be beyond any minimum quantities and/ or pricing as of the reporting date. For those agreements that include renewal provisions that are solely at the option of the content provider, we include the commitments associated with the renewal period to the extent such commitments are fixed or a minimum amount is specified. For these reasons, the amounts presented in the table may not provide a reliable indicator of our expected future cash outflows.

We have entered into certain license agreements that include an unspecified or a maximum number of titles that we may or may not receive in the future and/or that include pricing contingent upon certain variables, such as theatrical exhibition receipts for the title. As of the reporting date, it is unknown whether we will receive access to these titles or what the ultimate price per title will be. Accordingly such amounts are not reflected in the above contractual obligations table. However, such amounts are expected to be significant and the expected timing of payments for these commitments could range from less than one year to more than five years.

(3) For purposes of this table, less than one year does not include liabilities which are reflected on the consolidated balance sheets.

As of September 30, 2011, we had gross unrecognized tax benefits of $26.3 million and an additional $1.8 million for gross interest and penalties classified as “Other non-current liabilities” in the consolidated balance sheet. At this time, we are not able to make a reasonably reliable estimate of the timing of payments in individual years due to uncertainties in the timing of tax audit outcomes; therefore, such amounts are not included in the above contractual obligation table.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As part of our ongoing business, we do not engage in transactions that generate relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities. Accordingly, our operating results, financial condition and cash flows are not subject to off-balance sheet risks.

Indemnification

The information set forth under Note 9 in the notes to the consolidated financial statements under the caption “Indemnification” is incorporated herein by reference.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported periods. The SEC has defined a company’s critical accounting policies as the ones that are most important to the portrayal of a company’s financial condition and results of operations, and which require a company to make its most difficult and subjective judgments. Based on this definition, we have identified the critical accounting policies and judgments addressed below. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

Content Accounting

We obtain content through streaming content license agreements, DVD direct purchases and DVD and streaming revenue sharing agreements with studios, distributors and other suppliers.

We obtain content distribution rights in order to stream TV shows and movies to subscribers’ TVs, computers and mobile devices. Streaming content is generally licensed for a fixed-fee for the term of the license agreement which may have multiple windows of availability. The license agreement may or may not be recognized in content library.

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When the streaming license fee is known or reasonably determinable for a specific title and the specific title is first available for streaming to subscribers, the title is recognized on the consolidated balance sheets as current content library for the portion available for streaming within one year and as non-current content library for the remaining portion. New titles recognized in the content library are classified in the line item “Additions to streaming content library” within net cash provided by operating activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows. We amortize the content library on a straight-line basis over each title’s contractual window of availability, which typically ranges from six months to five years. The amortization is classified in “Cost of revenues—Subscription” in the consolidated statements of operations and in the line item “Amortization of streaming content library” within net cash provided by operating activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows. Payment terms for these license fees may extend over the term of the license agreement, which could range from six months to five years. For the titles recognized in content library, the license fees due but not paid are classified on the consolidated balance sheets as “Accounts payable” for the amounts due within one year and as “Other non-current liabilities” for the amounts due beyond one year. Changes in these liabilities are classified in the line item “Change in streaming content liabilities” within net cash provided by operating activities in the consolidated statement of cash flows. We record the streaming content library assets and their related liability on our consolidated balance sheet at the gross amount of the liability. Payments for the titles not yet available for streaming are not yet recognized in the content library but in prepaid content. Minimum commitments for the titles not yet available for streaming are not yet recognized in the content library and are included in Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements.

When the streaming license fee is not known or reasonably determinable for a specific title, the title does not meet the criteria for asset recognition in the content library. Titles do not meet the criteria for asset recognition in the content library because the underlying license agreement does not specify the number of titles or the license fee per title or the windows of availability per title, so that the license fee is not known or reasonably determinable for a specific title. Typical payment terms for these agreements, which can range from three to five years, require us to make equal fixed payments at the beginning of each quarter of the license term. To the extent that cumulative payments exceed cumulative amortization, prepaid content is recorded on the consolidated balance sheets. We amortize the license fees on a straight-line basis over the term of each license agreement. The amortization is classified in “Cost of revenues—Subscription” in the consolidated statements of operations and in the line item “Net income” within net cash provided by operating activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows. Changes in prepaid content are classified within net cash provided by operating activities in the line item “Prepaid content” in the consolidated statements of cash flows. Commitments for licenses that do not meet the criteria for asset recognition in the content library are included in Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements.

We acquire DVD content for the purpose of renting such content to our subscribers and earning subscription rental revenues, and, as such, we consider our direct purchase DVD library to be a productive asset. Accordingly, we classify our DVD library as a non-current asset on the consolidated balance sheets. The acquisition of DVD content library, net of changes in related liabilities, is classified in the line item “Acquisition of DVD content library” within cash used in investing activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows because the DVD content library is considered a productive asset. Other companies in the in-home entertainment video industry classify these cash flows as operating activities. We amortize our direct purchase DVDs, less estimated salvage value, on a “sum-of-the-months” accelerated basis over their estimated useful lives. The useful life of the new release DVDs and back-catalog DVDs is estimated to be one year and three years, respectively. In estimating the useful life of our DVDs, we consider historical utilization patterns, primarily the number of times a DVD title is shipped to subscribers in a given period, as well as an estimate for lost or damaged DVDs. The amortization of the DVD content library is classified in “Cost of revenues—Subscription” in the consolidated statement of operations and in the line item “Amortization of DVD content library” within net cash provided by operating activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows.

We also obtain DVD and streaming content through revenue sharing agreements with studios and distributors. Revenue sharing obligations incurred based on utilization are classified in “Cost of revenues—Subscription” in the consolidated statements of operations and in the line item “Net income” within net cash provided by operating activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows. The terms of some revenue sharing agreements obligate us to make a low initial payment for certain titles, representing a minimum contractual obligation under the agreement. The low initial payment is in exchange for a commitment to share a percentage of our subscription revenues or to pay a fee, based on utilization, for a defined period of time, or the title term, which typically ranges from six to twelve months for each title. The initial payment may be in the form of an upfront non-refundable payment. This payment is capitalized in the content library in accordance with our DVD and streaming content policies as applicable. The initial payment may also be in the form of a prepayment of future revenue sharing obligations which is classified as prepaid content. This payment is amortized as revenue sharing obligations are incurred. Under the revenue sharing agreements for our DVD library, at the end of the title term, we generally have the option of returning the DVDs to the studio, destroying the DVDs or purchasing the DVDs. In most cases, we purchase the DVDs when we have the ability to do so. This end of term buy-out is also included in DVD library at the time of purchase.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based compensation expense at the grant date is based on the total number of options granted and an estimate of the fair value of the awards expected to vest and is recognized as expense ratably over the requisite service period, which is the vesting period.

We calculate the fair value of new stock-based compensation awards under our stock option plans using a lattice-binomial model. This model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including price volatility of the underlying stock. Changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the estimate of fair value of options granted and our results of operations could be impacted.

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• Expected Volatility: Our computation of expected volatility is based on a blend of historical volatility of our common stock and implied volatility of tradable forward call options to purchase shares of our common stock. Our decision to incorporate implied volatility was based on our assessment that implied volatility of publicly traded options in our common stock is more reflective of market conditions and, therefore, can reasonably be expected to be a better indicator of expected volatility than historical volatility of our common stock. We include the historical volatility in our computation due to low trade volume of our tradable forward call options in certain periods thereby precluding sole reliance on implied volatility. An increase of 10% in our computation of expected volatility would increase the total stock-based compensation expense by approximately $0.9 million.

• Suboptimal Exercise Factor: Our computation of the suboptimal exercise factor is based on historical option exercise behavior and the terms and vesting periods of the options granted and is determined for both executives and non-executives. An increase in the suboptimal exercise factor of 10% would increase the total stock-based compensation expense by approximately $0.5 million.

Income Taxes

We record a provision for income taxes for the anticipated tax consequences of our reported results of operations using the asset and liability method. Deferred income taxes are recognized by applying enacted statutory tax rates to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, as well as net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The measurement of deferred tax assets is reduced, if necessary, by a valuation allowance for any tax benefits for which future realization is uncertain.

Although we believe our assumptions, judgments and estimates are reasonable, changes in tax laws or our interpretation of tax laws and the resolution of any tax audits could significantly impact the amounts provided for income taxes in our consolidated financial statements.

In evaluating our ability to recover our deferred tax assets, in full or in part, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including our past operating results, and our forecast of future earnings, future taxable income and prudent and feasible tax planning strategies. The assumptions utilized in determining future taxable income require significant judgment and are consistent with the plans and estimates we are using to manage the underlying businesses. Actual operating results in future years could differ from our current assumptions, judgments and estimates. However, we believe that it is more likely than not that substantially all deferred tax assets recorded on our balance sheet will ultimately be realized. In the event we were to determine that we would not be able to realize all or part of our net deferred tax assets in the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax assets would be charged to earnings in the period in which we make such determination.

We did not recognize certain tax benefits from uncertain tax positions within the provision for income taxes. We may recognize a tax benefit only if it is more likely than not the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such positions are then measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement. At September 30, 2011, our estimated gross unrecognized tax benefits were $26.3 million of which $21.0 million, if recognized, would favorably impact our future earnings. Due to uncertainties in any tax audit outcome, our estimates of the ultimate settlement of our unrecognized tax positions may change and the actual tax benefits may differ significantly from the estimates. See Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements for further information regarding income taxes.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

For financial market risks related to changes in interest rates, reference is made to Item 7A “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” contained in Part II of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. Our exposure to market risk has not changed significantly since December 31, 2010.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q were effective in providing reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal controls will prevent all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within Netflix have been detected.

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Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2011 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

The information set forth under Note 9 in the notes to the consolidated financial statements under the caption “Litigation” is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes from the risk factors as previously disclosed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, except for the following additional Risk Factor:

If we are unable to recover from the negative consumer reaction to our price change and other announcements made during the third quarter of 2011, our business will be adversely affected.

In the third quarter of 2011, we made a series of announcements regarding our business, including the separation of our unlimited DVD by mail and unlimited streaming plans with a corresponding price change for some of our customers, the rebranding of our DVD by mail service, and the subsequent retraction of our plans to rebrand our DVD by mail service. Consumers reacted negatively to these announcements, adversely impacting our brand and resulting in higher than expected customer cancellations and a decline in net subscriber additions. These adverse effects, coupled with the increasingly long-term and fixed-cost nature of our content acquisition licenses, will likely continue to have an adverse impact on our results of operations. If we are unable to repair the damage to our brand and reverse negative subscriber growth within our domestic segment, our results of operations, including cash flow, will be adversely affected.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Stock repurchases during the three months ended September 30, 2011 were as follows:

Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased		Average Price Paid per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Programs		Maximum Dollar Value that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Program (1)
July 1, 2011 – July 31, 2011		—	$	—		—	$	80,575,302
August 1, 2011 – August 31, 2011		84,000		225.77		84,000		61,610,469
September 1, 2011 – September 30, 2011		98,000		210.56		98,000		40,975,338
Total		182,000	$	217.58		182,000	$	40,975,338

(1) On June 11, 2010, the Company announced that its Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase plan that enables the Company to repurchase up to $300.0 million of its common stock through the end of 2012. The timing and actual number of shares repurchased will depend on various factors including price, corporate and regulatory requirements, debt covenant requirements, alternative investment opportunities and other market conditions.

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Item 6. Exhibits

(a) Exhibits:

Exhibit Number	Exhibit Description	Incorporated by Reference				Filed Herewith
		Form	File No.	Exhibit	Filing Date
3.1	Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation	10-Q	000-49802	3.1	August 2, 2004
3.2	Amended and Restated Bylaws	8-K	000-49802	3.1	March 20, 2009
3.3	Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation	10-Q	000-49802	3.3	August 2, 2004
4.1	Form of Common Stock Certificate	S-1/A	333-83878	4.1	April 16, 2002
4.2	Indenture, dated November 6, 2009, among Netflix, Inc., the guarantors from time to time party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, Nation Association, relating to the 8.50% Senior Notes due 2017.	8-K	000-49802	4.1	November 9, 2009
10.1†	Form of Indemnification Agreement entered into by the registrant with each of its executive officers and directors	S-1/A	333-83878	10.1	March 20, 2002
10.2†	2002 Employee Stock Purchase Plan	Def 14A	000-49802	A	April 8, 2010
10.3†	Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Plan	S-1/A	333-83878	10.3	May 16, 2002
10.4†	Amended and Restated 2002 Stock Plan	Def 14A	000-49802	A	March 31, 2006
10.5	Amended and Restated Stockholders’ Rights Agreement	S-1	333-83878	10.5	March 6, 2002
10.6†	2011 Stock Plan	Def 14A	000-49802	A	April 20, 2011
10.8†	Description of Director Equity Compensation Plan	8-K	000-49802	99.1	June 16, 2010
10.9†	Description of Director Equity Compensation Plan	8-K	000-49802	10.1	December 28, 2009
10.10†	Amended and Restated Executive Severance and Retention Incentive Plan	10-Q	000-49802	10.10	May 5, 2009
31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002					X
31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002					X
32.1*	Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002					X
101	The following financial information from Netflix, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2011 filed with the SEC on October 27, 2011, formatted in XBRL includes: (i) Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, (ii) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 and (iv) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.					X

* These certifications are not deemed filed by the SEC and are not to be incorporated by reference in any filing we make under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, irrespective of any general incorporation language in any filings.

† Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

	NETFLIX, I NC.
Dated: October 27, 2011	By:	/s/    REED HASTINGS
		Reed Hastings Chief Executive Officer (Principal executive officer)

Dated: October 27, 2011	By:	/s/    DAVID WELLS
		David Wells Chief Financial Officer (Principal financial and accounting officer)

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number	Exhibit Description	Incorporated by Reference				Filed Herewith
		Form	File No.	Exhibit	Filing Date
3.1	Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation	10-Q	000-49802	3.1	August 2, 2004
3.2	Amended and Restated Bylaws	8-K	000-49802	3.1	March 20, 2009
3.3	Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation	10-Q	000-49802	3.3	August 2, 2004
4.1	Form of Common Stock Certificate	S-1/A	333-83878	4.1	April 16, 2002
4.2	Indenture, dated November 6, 2009, among Netflix, Inc., the guarantors from time to time party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, Nation Association, relating to the 8.50% Senior Notes due 2017.	8-K	000-49802	4.1	November 9, 2009
10.1†	Form of Indemnification Agreement entered into by the registrant with each of its executive officers and directors	S-1/A	333-83878	10.1	March 20, 2002
10.2†	2002 Employee Stock Purchase Plan	Def 14A	000-49802	A	April 8, 2010
10.3†	Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Plan	S-1/A	333-83878	10.3	May 16, 2002
10.4†	Amended and Restated 2002 Stock Plan	Def 14A	000-49802	A	March 31, 2006
10.5	Amended and Restated Stockholders’ Rights Agreement	S-1	333-83878	10.5	March 6, 2002
10.6†	2011 Stock Plan	Def 14A	000-49802	A	April 20, 2011
10.8†	Description of Director Equity Compensation Plan	8-K	000-49802	99.1	June 16, 2010
10.9†	Description of Director Equity Compensation Plan	8-K	000-49802	10.1	December 28, 2009
10.10†	Amended and Restated Executive Severance and Retention Incentive Plan	10-Q	000-49802	10.10	May 5, 2009
31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002					X
31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002					X
32.1*	Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002					X
101	The following financial information from Netflix, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2011 filed with the SEC on October 27, 2011, formatted in XBRL includes: (i) Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, (ii) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 and (iv) the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.					X

* These certifications are not deemed filed by the SEC and are not to be incorporated by reference in any filing we make under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, irrespective of any general incorporation language in any filings.

† Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan.

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EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Reed Hastings, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Netflix, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and we have:

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Dated: October 27, 2011	By:	/s/    REED HASTINGS
		Reed Hastings Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, David Wells, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Netflix, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and we have:

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Dated: October 27, 2011	By:	/s/    DAVID WELLS
		David Wells Chief Financial Officer

EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATIONS OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Reed Hastings, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Netflix, Inc. for the quarter ended September 30, 2011 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that information contained in such report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Netflix, Inc.

Dated: October 27, 2011	By:	/s/    REED HASTINGS
		Reed Hastings
		Chief Executive Officer

I, David Wells, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Netflix, Inc. for the quarter ended September 30, 2011 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that information contained in such report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Netflix, Inc.

Dated: October 27, 2011	By:	/s/    DAVID WELLS
		David Wells
		Chief Financial Officer

XML

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 159,199	$ 194,499
Short-term investments	206,573	155,888
Current content library, net	705,398	181,006
Prepaid content	77,146	62,217
Other current assets	41,797	43,621
Total current assets	1,190,113	637,231
Content library, net	570,210	180,973
Property and equipment, net	143,993	128,570
Deferred tax assets	28,743	17,467
Other non-current assets	28,499	17,826
Total assets	1,961,558	982,067
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	750,107	222,824
Accrued expenses	54,671	36,489
Current portion of lease financing obligations	2,259	2,083
Deferred revenue	160,929	127,183
Total current liabilities	967,966	388,579
Long-term debt	200,000	200,000
Lease financing obligations, excluding current portion	32,400	34,123
Other non-current liabilities	372,840	69,201
Total liabilities	1,573,206	691,903
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 160,000,000 shares authorized at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010; 52,504,091 and 52,781,949 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively	53	53
Additional paid-in capital		51,622
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net	588	750
Retained earnings	387,711	237,739
Total stockholders' equity	388,352	290,164
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 1,961,558	$ 982,067

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Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract]
Common stock, par value	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized	160,000,000	160,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	52,504,091	52,781,949
Common stock, shares outstanding	52,504,091	52,781,949

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Net Income Per Share (Computation Of Net Income Per Share) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Net Income Per Share [Abstract]
Net income	$ 62,460	$ 37,967	$ 190,907	$ 113,758
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	52,569	52,142	52,599	52,510
Basic earnings per share	$ 1.19	$ 0.73	$ 3.63	$ 2.17
Employee stock options and employee stock purchase plan shares	1,301	1,789	1,409	1,831
Weighted-average number of shares	53,870	53,931	54,008	54,341
Diluted earnings per share	$ 1.16	$ 0.70	$ 3.53	$ 2.09

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Document And Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2011
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Entity Registrant Name	NETFLIX INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001065280
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	52,504,091

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Short-Term Investments And Fair Value Measurement (Estimated Fair Value Of Short-Term Investments By Contractual Maturity) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Short-Term Investments And Fair Value Measurement [Abstract]
Due within one year	$ 96,056
Due after one year and through 5 years	109,488
Due after 5 years and through 10 years
Due after 10 years	1,029
Total short-term investments	$ 206,573	$ 155,888

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Stockholders' Equity

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]

Stockholders' Equity

7. Stockholders' Equity

Stock Repurchases

Under the Company's current stock repurchase plan, announced on June 11, 2010, the Company is authorized to repurchase up to $300.0 million of its common stock through the end of 2012. During the three months ended September 30, 2011, the Company repurchased 182,000 shares at an average price of $218 per share for an aggregate amount of $39.6 million. During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company repurchased 899,847 shares at an average price of $222 per share for an aggregate amount of $199.7 million. As of September 30, 2011, $41.0 million of this authorization is remaining. The timing and actual number of shares repurchased is at management's discretion and will depend on various factors including price, corporate and regulatory requirements, debt covenant requirements, alternative investment opportunities and other market conditions.

Shares repurchased by the Company are accounted for when the transaction is settled. As of September 30, 2011, there were no unsettled share repurchases. Shares repurchased and retired are deducted from common stock for par value and from additional paid-in capital for the excess over par value. If additional paid- in capital has been exhausted, the excess over par value is deducted from retained earnings. Direct costs incurred to acquire the shares are included in the total cost of the shares. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, $7.8 million and $40.9 million, respectively, were deducted from retained earnings related to share repurchases.

Stock-Based Compensation

A summary of the activity related to the Company's stock option plans during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 is as follows:

	Shares Available for Grant			Options Outstanding					Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (in Years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in Thousands)
				Number of Shares			Weighted- Average Exercise Price
Balances as of December 31, 2010		2,038,502			2,892,130		$	36.11
Granted		(341,474	)		341,474			234.67
Exercised		—			(621,989	)		29.88
Balances as of September 30, 2011		1,697,028			2,611,615			63.55		5.95	$	176,151
Vested and exercisable at September 30, 2011					2,611,615			63.55		5.95	$	176,151

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 2011 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 September 30, 2011. This amount changes based on the fair market value of the Company's common stock. Total intrinsic value of options exercised for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 was $32.2 million and $44.8 million, respectively. Total intrinsic value of options exercised for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 was $125.6 million and $100.7 million, respectively.

The following table summarizes the assumptions used to value stock option grants using the lattice-binomial model:

	Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2011	September 30, 2010	September 30, 2011	September 30, 2010
Dividend yield	0%	0%	0%	0%
Expected volatility	52%	54%	51-52%	46-54%
Risk-free interest rate	2.98%	2.97%	2.98-3.42%	2.97-3.67%
Suboptimal exercise factor	2.26-3.63	2.00-2.40	2.17-3.63	1.78-2.40

In the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company used a suboptimal exercise factor ranging from 3.39 to 3.63 for executives and 2.17 to 2.26, respectively for non-executives, resulting in a calculated expected life of the option grants of eight years for executives and five years for non-executives. In the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company used a suboptimal exercise factor ranging from 2.15 to 2.40 for executives and 1.78 to 2.00 for non-executives, resulting in a calculated expected life of the option grants of five years for executives and four years for non-executives.

The weighted-average fair value of employee stock options granted during the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 was $137.90 and $56.55 per share, respectively. The weighted-average fair value of employee stock options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 was $127.41 and $40.96 per share, respectively.

The following table summarizes the assumptions used to value employee stock purchase rights for the offering period commencing in May 2010, using the Black Scholes option pricing model. There were no ESPP offerings in 2011, and the Company does not expect any future ESPP offerings.

	Nine Months Ended  September 30, 2010
Dividend yield		0	%
Expected volatility		45	%
Risk-free interest rate		0.24	%
Expected life (in years)		0.5

Cash received from the issuance of common stock for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 was $4.4 million and $10.9 million, respectively. Cash received from the issuance of common stock for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 was $18.6 million and $34.0 million, respectively.

The following table summarizes stock-based compensation expense, net of tax, related to stock option plans and employee stock purchases for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 which was allocated as follows:

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2011			2010			2011			2010
	(in thousands)
Fulfillment expense	$	206		$	323		$	1,446		$	806
Technology and development		7,522			2,694			19,819			6,939
Marketing		1,539			777			4,273			2,176
General and administrative		6,438			3,502			17,967			9,805
Stock-based compensation expense before income taxes		15,705			7,296			43,505			19,726
Income tax benefit		(5,228	)		(3,064	)		(16,066	)		(8,118	)
Total stock-based compensation after income taxes	$	10,477		$	4,232		$	27,439		$	11,608

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Long-Term Debt (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Long-Term Debt [Abstract]
Long-term debt outstanding	$ 200,000,000	$ 200,000,000
Senior notes interest rate	8.50%
Senior notes, maturity date	Nov. 15, 2017
Senior notes, interest payment commencement date	May 15, 2010
Senior notes, fair value	$ 216,500,000	$ 225,000,000

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Stockholders' Equity (Summary Of Stock-Based Compensation Expense) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense, net of tax	$ 15,705	$ 7,296	$ 43,505	$ 19,726
Stock-based compensation expense before income taxes	15,705	7,296	43,505	19,726
Income tax benefit	(5,228)	(3,064)	(16,066)	(8,118)
Total stock-based compensation after income taxes	10,477	4,232	27,439	11,608
Fulfillment Expense [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense, net of tax	206	323	1,446	806
Technology And Development [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense, net of tax	7,522	2,694	19,819	6,939
Marketing [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense, net of tax	1,539	777	4,273	2,176
General And Administrative [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense, net of tax	$ 6,438	$ 3,502	$ 17,967	$ 9,805

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Short-Term Investments And Fair Value Measurement (Available-For-Sale Securities Reported At Fair Value) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	Sep. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010		Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Total Amortized Cost	$ 368,963	[1]		$ 353,748	[1]
Gross Unrealized Gains	1,542	[1]		1,542	[1]
Gross Unrealized Losses	(171)	[1]		(342)	[1]
Total Estimated Fair Value	370,334	[1]		354,948	[1]
Less: Long-term restricted cash	(4,562)	[2]		(4,561)	[3]
Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments	365,772			350,387
Cash and cash equivalents	159,199		175,207	194,499		113,108	107,327	134,224
Level 1 Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	2,000
Level 1 Securities [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	6,532	[2]		4,914	[3]
Gross Unrealized Gains		[2]			[3]
Gross Unrealized Losses		[2]			[3]
Estimated Fair Value, Money market funds	6,532	[2]		4,914	[3]
Level 2 Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents				400
Level 2 Securities [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	116,569	[1]		109,745	[1]
Gross Unrealized Gains	743	[1]		1,043	[1]
Gross Unrealized Losses	(171)	[1]		(101)	[1]
Estimated Fair Value	117,141	[1]		110,687	[1]
Level 2 Securities [Member] | Government And Agency Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	87,663	[1]		42,062	[1]
Gross Unrealized Gains	740	[1]		331	[1]
Gross Unrealized Losses		[1]		(101)	[1]
Estimated Fair Value	88,403	[1]		42,292	[1]
Level 2 Securities [Member] | Asset And Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	970	[1]		2,881	[1]
Gross Unrealized Gains	59	[1]		168	[1]
Gross Unrealized Losses		[1]		(140)	[1]
Estimated Fair Value	1,029	[1]		2,909	[1]
Cash [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	157,229			194,146
Gross Unrealized Gains
Gross Unrealized Losses
Estimated Fair Value, Cash	$ 157,229			$ 194,146

[1] Included in short-term investments.

[2] Includes $2.0 million that is included in cash and cash equivalents and $4.6 million of long-term restricted cash that is included in other non-current assets related to workers compensation deposits.

[3] Includes $0.4 million that is included in cash and cash equivalents and $4.6 million of long-term restricted cash that is included in other non-current assets related to workers compensation deposits.

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Short-Term Investments And Fair Value Measurement (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Short-Term Investments And Fair Value Measurement [Abstract]

Available-For-Sale Securities Reported At Fair Value

	September 30, 2011
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Estimated Fair Value
	(in thousands)
Cash	$	157,229	$	—	$	—		$	157,229
Level 1 securities (1):
Money market funds		6,532		—		—			6,532
Level 2 securities (3):
Corporate debt securities		116,569		743		(171	)		117,141
Government and agency securities		87,663		740		—			88,403
Asset and mortgage-backed securities		970		59		—			1,029
	$	368,963	$	1,542	$	(171	)	$	370,334
Less: Long-term restricted cash (1)									(4,562	)
Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments								$	365,772

	December 31, 2010
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Estimated Fair Value
	(in thousands)
Cash	$	194,146	$	—	$	—		$	194,146
Level 1 securities (2):
Money market funds		4,914		—		—			4,914
Level 2 securities (3):
Corporate debt securities		109,745		1,043		(101	)		110,687
Government and agency securities		42,062		331		(101	)		42,292
Asset and mortgage-backed securities		2,881		168		(140	)		2,909
	$	353,748	$	1,542	$	(342	)		354,948
Less: Long-term restricted cash (2)									(4,561	)
Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments								$	350,387

(1) Includes $2.0 million that is included in cash and cash equivalents and $4.6 million of long-term restricted cash that is included in other non-current assets related to workers compensation deposits.

(2) Includes $0.4 million that is included in cash and cash equivalents and $4.6 million of long-term restricted cash that is included in other non-current assets related to workers compensation deposits.

(3) Included in short-term investments.

Estimated Fair Value Of Short-Term Investments By Contractual Maturity

	(in thousands)
Due within one year	$	96,056
Due after one year and through 5 years		109,488
Due after 5 years and through 10 years		—
Due after 10 years		1,029
Total short-term investments	$	206,573

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Short-Term Investments And Fair Value Measurement

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Short-Term Investments And Fair Value Measurement [Abstract]

Short-Term Investments And Fair Value Measurement

3. Short-Term Investments and Fair Value Measurement

The Company's investment policy is consistent with the definition of available-for-sale securities. The Company does not buy and hold securities principally for the purpose of selling them in the near future. The Company's policy is focused on the preservation of capital, liquidity and return. From time to time, the Company may sell certain securities but the objectives are generally not to generate profits on short-term differences in price. The following table summarizes, by major security type, our assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and are categorized using the fair value hierarchy:

	September 30, 2011
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Estimated Fair Value
	(in thousands)
Cash	$	157,229	$	—	$	—		$	157,229
Level 1 securities (1):
Money market funds		6,532		—		—			6,532
Level 2 securities (3):
Corporate debt securities		116,569		743		(171	)		117,141
Government and agency securities		87,663		740		—			88,403
Asset and mortgage-backed securities		970		59		—			1,029
	$	368,963	$	1,542	$	(171	)	$	370,334
Less: Long-term restricted cash (1)									(4,562	)
Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments								$	365,772

	December 31, 2010
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Estimated Fair Value
	(in thousands)
Cash	$	194,146	$	—	$	—		$	194,146
Level 1 securities (2):
Money market funds		4,914		—		—			4,914
Level 2 securities (3):
Corporate debt securities		109,745		1,043		(101	)		110,687
Government and agency securities		42,062		331		(101	)		42,292
Asset and mortgage-backed securities		2,881		168		(140	)		2,909
	$	353,748	$	1,542	$	(342	)		354,948
Less: Long-term restricted cash (2)									(4,561	)
Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments								$	350,387

(1) Includes $2.0 million that is included in cash and cash equivalents and $4.6 million of long-term restricted cash that is included in other non-current assets related to workers compensation deposits.

(2) Includes $0.4 million that is included in cash and cash equivalents and $4.6 million of long-term restricted cash that is included in other non-current assets related to workers compensation deposits.

(3) Included in short-term investments.

Fair value is a market-based measurement that should be 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. Our procedures include controls to ensure that appropriate fair values are recorded such as comparing prices obtained from multiple independent sources. See Note 4 for further information regarding the fair value of the Company's 8.50% senior notes.

Because the Company does not intend to sell the investments that are in an unrealized loss position and it is not likely that the Company will be required to sell any investments before recovery of their amortized cost basis, the Company does not consider those investments with an unrealized loss to be other-than-temporarily impaired at September 30, 2011. There were no material other-than-temporary impairments or credit losses related to available-for-sale securities in the three or nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010. In addition, there were no material gross realized gains or losses in the three or nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.

The estimated fair value of short-term investments by contractual maturity as of September 30, 2011 is as follows:

	(in thousands)
Due within one year	$	96,056
Due after one year and through 5 years		109,488
Due after 5 years and through 10 years		—
Due after 10 years		1,029
Total short-term investments	$	206,573

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Stockholders' Equity (Summary Of Activity Related To Stock Option Plans) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011 years months
Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Shares Available for Grant, Beginning Balances	2,038,502
Shares Available for Grant, Granted	(341,474)
Shares Available for Grant, Exercised
Shares Available for Grant, Ending Balances	1,697,028
Options Outstanding, Number of Shares, Beginning Balances	2,892,130
Options Outstanding, Number of Shares, Granted	341,474
Options Outstanding, Number of Shares, Exercised	(621,989)
Options Outstanding, Number of Shares, Ending Balances	2,611,615
Options Outstanding, Number of Shares, Vested and exercisable	2,611,615
Options Outstanding, Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Beginning Balances	$ 36.11
Options Outstanding, Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Granted	$ 234.67
Options Outstanding, Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Exercised	$ 29.88
Options Outstanding, Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Ending Balances	$ 63.55
Options Outstanding, Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Vested and exercisable	$ 63.55
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term, Ending Balances (in Years)	5.95
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term, Vested and exercisable (in Years)	5.95
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Ending Balances	$ 176,151
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Vested and exercisable	$ 176,151

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Commitments And Contingencies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]

Commitments And Contingencies

9. Commitments and Contingencies

Streaming Content

The Company had $3,458.9 million and $1,123.4 million of obligations at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, including agreements to acquire and license streaming content that represent long-term liabilities or that are not reflected on the consolidated balance sheets because they do not meet content library asset recognition criteria. The license agreements do not meet content library asset recognition criteria because either the fee is not known or reasonably determinable for a specific title or it is known but the title is not yet available for streaming to subscribers. For those agreements with variable terms, the Company does not estimate what the total obligation may be beyond any minimum quantities and/ or pricing as of the reporting date. For those agreements that include renewal provisions that are solely at the option of the content provider, the Company includes the commitments associated with the renewal period to the extent such commitments are fixed or a minimum amount is specified.

The expected timing of payments as of September 30, 2011 for these commitments is as follows:

	(in thousands)
Less than one year	$	740.8
Due after one year and through 3 years		2,136.9
Due after 3 years and through 5 years		535.7
Due after 5 years		45.5
Total streaming content obligations	$	3,458.9

The Company has entered into certain license agreements that include an unspecified or a maximum number of titles that the Company may or may not receive in the future and /or that include pricing contingent upon certain variables, such as theatrical exhibition receipts for the title. As of the reporting date, it is unknown whether the Company will receive access to these titles or what the ultimate price per title will be. Accordingly, such amounts are not reflected in the commitments described above. However such amounts, are expected to be significant and the expected timing of payments could range from less than one year to more than five years.

In addition to the streaming content obligations above, the Company has licenses with certain performing rights organizations ("PRO"), and is currently involved in negotiations with other PROs, that hold certain rights to music used in connection with streaming content. For the latter, the Company accrues for estimated royalties that are due to PROs and adjusts these accruals based on any changes in estimates. While the Company anticipates finalizing these negotiations, the outcome of these negotiations is uncertain. Additionally, pending litigation between certain PROs and other third parties could impact our negotiations. If the Company is unable to reach mutually acceptable terms with the PROs, the Company could become involved in similar litigation. The results of any negotiation or litigation may be materially different from management's estimates.

Litigation

From time to time, in the normal course of its operations, the Company is a party 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.

On March 29, 2010, Parallel Networks, LLC filed a complaint for patent infringement against the Company and others in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, captioned Parallel Networks, LLC v. Abercrombie & Fitch Co., et. al , Civil Action No 6:10-cv-00111-LED. The complaint alleges that the Company infringed U.S. Patent No. 6,446,111 entitled "Method and Apparatus for Client-Server Communication Using a Limited Capability Client Over a Low-Speed Communication Link," issued on September 3, 2002. The complaint seeks unspecified compensatory and enhanced damages, interest and fees, and seeks to permanently enjoin the Company from infringing the patent in the future. With respect to this matter, management has determined that a potential loss is not probable and accordingly, no amount has been accrued. Management has determined a potential loss is reasonably possible as it is defined by the Financial Accounting Standard Board's Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 450 Contingencies; however, based on its current knowledge, management does not believe that the amount of such possible loss or a range of potential loss is reasonably estimable.

On September 25, 2009, Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc. filed a complaint for patent infringement against the Company in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, captioned Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc. v. Amazon.com Inc., et. al, Civil Action No. 6:09-cv-422. The complaint alleges that the Company infringed U.S. Patents Nos. 5,649,131 entitled "Communications Protocol" issued on July 15, 1997; 5,623,656 entitled "Script Based Data Communication System and Method Utilizing State Memory" issued on April 22, 1997; and 5,404,507 entitled "Apparatus and Method for Finding Records in a Database by Formulating a Query Using Equivalent Terms Which Correspond to Terms in the Input Query," issued April 4, 1995. The complaint sought unspecified compensatory and enhanced damages, interest, costs and fees, and sought to permanently enjoin the Company from infringing the patents in the future. On September 21, 2011, this case was dismissed with prejudice.

In January through April of 2009, a number of purported anti-trust class action suits were filed against the Company in various United States Federal Courts. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and Walmart.com USA LLC (collectively, Wal-Mart) were also named as defendants in these suits. These cases have been consolidated in the Northern District of California and have been assigned the multidistrict litigation number MDL-2029. A number of substantially similar suits were filed in California State Courts, and have been consolidated in Santa Clara County. The plaintiffs, who are current or former Netflix customers, generally allege that Netflix and Wal-Mart entered into an agreement to divide the markets for sales and online rentals of DVDs in the United States, which resulted in higher Netflix subscription prices. A number of other cases have been filed in Federal and State courts by current or former subscribers to the online DVD rental service offered by Blockbuster Inc., alleging injury arising from similar facts. These cases have been related to MDL 2029 or, in the case of the California State cases, coordinated with the cases in Santa Clara County. The complaint(s) seeks unspecified compensatory and enhanced damages, interest, costs and fees and other equitable relief. With respect to each of these matters, management has determined that a potential loss is not probable and accordingly, no amount has been accrued. Management has determined a potential loss is reasonably possible as it is defined by ASC 450; however, based on its current knowledge, management does not believe that the amount of such possible loss or a range of potential loss is reasonably estimable.

On October 24, 2008, Media Queue, LLC filed a complaint for patent infringement against the Company in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, captioned Media Queue, LLC v. Netflix, Inc., et. al , Civil Action No. CIV 08-402-KEW. The complaint alleges that the Company infringed U.S. Patent No. 7,389,243 entitled "Notification System and Method for Media Queue" issued on June 17, 2008. The complaint seeks unspecified compensatory and enhanced damages, interest and fees, and seeks to permanently enjoin the Company from infringing the patent in the future. On February 24, 2009, the case was transferred to the Northern District of California. On December 1, 2009, the Court granted the Company's motion for summary judgment of non-infringement. On February 10, 2010, plaintiff appealed the summary judgment ruling. With respect to this matter, management has determined that a potential loss is not probable and accordingly, no amount has been accrued. Management has determined a potential loss is reasonably possible as it is defined by ASC 450; however, based on its current knowledge, management does not believe that the amount of such possible loss or a range of potential loss is reasonably estimable.

The Company is involved in other litigation matters not listed above 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.

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 financial statements with respect to these indemnification guarantees.

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Stockholders' Equity (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Sep. 30, 2010

Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]

Summary Of Activity Related To Stock Option Plans

	Shares Available for Grant			Options Outstanding					Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (in Years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in Thousands)
				Number of Shares			Weighted- Average Exercise Price
Balances as of December 31, 2010		2,038,502			2,892,130		$	36.11
Granted		(341,474	)		341,474			234.67
Exercised		—			(621,989	)		29.88
Balances as of September 30, 2011		1,697,028			2,611,615			63.55		5.95	$	176,151
Vested and exercisable at September 30, 2011					2,611,615			63.55		5.95	$	176,151

Summary Of Assumptions Used To Value Stock Option Grants Using Lattice-Binomial Model

	Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2011	September 30, 2010	September 30, 2011	September 30, 2010
Dividend yield	0%	0%	0%	0%
Expected volatility	52%	54%	51-52%	46-54%
Risk-free interest rate	2.98%	2.97%	2.98-3.42%	2.97-3.67%
Suboptimal exercise factor	2.26-3.63	2.00-2.40	2.17-3.63	1.78-2.40

Summary Of Assumptions Used To Value Employee Stock Purchase Rights

	Nine Months Ended  September 30, 2010
Dividend yield		0	%
Expected volatility		45	%
Risk-free interest rate		0.24	%
Expected life (in years)		0.5

Summary Of Stock-Based Compensation Expense

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2011			2010			2011			2010
	(in thousands)
Fulfillment expense	$	206		$	323		$	1,446		$	806
Technology and development		7,522			2,694			19,819			6,939
Marketing		1,539			777			4,273			2,176
General and administrative		6,438			3,502			17,967			9,805
Stock-based compensation expense before income taxes		15,705			7,296			43,505			19,726
Income tax benefit		(5,228	)		(3,064	)		(16,066	)		(8,118	)
Total stock-based compensation after income taxes	$	10,477		$	4,232		$	27,439		$	11,608

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Segment Information

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Segment Information [Abstract]

Segment Information

10. Segment Information

In September 2010, the Company began international operations by offering an unlimited streaming plan without DVDs. At that time, the Company began segmenting operating results between Domestic and International. The Company presents the segment information along the same lines that the Company's chief operating decision maker reviews the operating results in assessing performance and allocating resources. The Company's chief operating decision maker reviews revenue and contribution profit for each of the reportable segments. Contribution profit is defined as revenues less cost of revenues and marketing expenses. There are no internal revenue transactions between the Company's reporting segments. In addition, the Company does not identify or allocate its assets by reportable segment and all of the Company's long lived tangible assets are held in the United States.

The Domestic segment derives revenue from monthly subscription services consisting of streaming content and DVD by mail. The Domestic segment operating income (loss) includes direct costs and allocations of "Cost of Revenues" and "Marketing" as well as all "Technology and Development" and "General and Administrative" costs, as these costs are incurred in the United States on the behalf of the consolidated entity.

The International segment derives revenue from monthly subscription services consisting solely of streaming content. The International segment contribution profit (loss) includes direct costs and allocations of "Cost of Revenues" and "Marketing." Because no amount of "Technology and Development or "General and Administrative" costs are included in the International segment, contribution profit (loss) is equal to the International segment operating income (loss.)

Information on reportable segments and reconciliation to consolidated net income is as follows:

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2011			September 30, 2010			September 30, 2011			September 30, 2010
				(in thousands)
Domestic
Streaming subscriptions		21,448
DVD subscriptions		13,928
Total unique subscribers at end of period		23,789			16,800
Revenues	$	799,152		$	553,219		$	2,275,140		$	1,566,703
Cost of revenues and marketing expenses		579,720			423,013			1,655,828			1,194,861
Contribution profit		219,432			130,206			619,312			371,842
Other operating expenses		99,272			58,011			261,710			163,960
Segment operating income	$	120,160		$	72,195		$	357,602		$	207,882
International
Total unique subscribers at end of period		1,480			133
Revenues	$	22,687		$	—		$	53,862		$	—
Cost of revenues and marketing expenses		46,005			2,694			97,268			2,694
Contribution profit (loss)	$	(23,318	)	$	(2,694	)	$	(43,406	)	$	(2,694	)
Consolidated
Total unique subscribers at end of period		25,269			16,933
Revenues	$	821,839		$	553,219		$	2,329,002		$	1,566,703
Cost of revenues and marketing expenses		625,725			425,707			1,753,096			1,197,555
Contribution profit		196,114			127,512			575,906			369,148
Other operating expenses		99,272			58,011			261,710			163,960
Operating income	$	96,842		$	69,501		$	314,196		$	205,188
Other income (expense)		(3,219	)		(4,092	)		(11,509	)		(12,051	)
Provision for income taxes		31,163			27,442			111,780			79,379
Net income	$	62,460		$	37,967		$	190,907		$	113,758

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Balance Sheet Components (Other Non-Current Liabilities) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Balance Sheet Components [Abstract]
Streaming content	$ 348,182	$ 48,179
Other	24,658	21,022
Other non-current liabilities	$ 372,840	$ 69,201

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Income Taxes

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Income Taxes [Abstract]

Income Taxes

8. Income Taxes

The effective tax rates for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 were 33.3% and 42.0%, respectively. The effective tax rates for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 were 36.9% and 41.1%, respectively. As of December 31, 2010, the Company had $20.7 million of gross unrecognized tax benefits. During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company had an increase in gross unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $5.6 million. The gross unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized by the Company, will result in a reduction of approximately $21.0 million to the provision for income taxes thereby favorably impacting the Company's effective tax rate. The Company's unrecognized tax benefits are classified as "Other non-current liabilities" in the consolidated balance sheet. Income tax benefits attributable to the exercise of employee stock options of $11.6 million and $16.1million, during the three month period ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, were recorded directly to additional paid-in capital. Income tax benefits attributable to the exercise of employee stock options of $45.0 million and $34.6 million, during the nine month period ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, were recorded directly to additional paid-in capital.

The Company includes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within the provision for income taxes. As of September 30, 2011, the total amount of gross interest and penalties accrued was $1.8 million, which is classified as "Other non-current liabilities" in the consolidated balance sheet.

The Company files U.S. federal and state tax returns. The Company is currently under examination by the IRS for the years 2008 and 2009, and the year 2010 remains subject to examination by the IRS. The statute of limitations for years 1997 through 2007 expired in September 2011 which resulted in a discrete benefit of approximately $3.5 million in the three months ended September 30, 2011. The Company is currently under examination by the state of California for the years 2006 and 2007. The years 1997 through 2005, as well as 2008 through 2010, remain subject to examination by the state of California.

Given the potential outcome of the current examinations, it is reasonably possible that the balance of unrecognized tax benefits could significantly change within the next twelve months. However, at this time, an estimate of the range of reasonably possible adjustments to the balance of unrecognized tax benefits cannot be made.

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Basis Of Presentation And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Basis Of Presentation And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis Of Presentation And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies

1. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The accompanying consolidated interim 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, 2010 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on February 18, 2011. 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 amortization methodology of the Company's content library, the valuation of stock-based compensation and the recognition and measurement of income tax assets and liabilities. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. The actual results experienced by the Company may differ from management's 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 financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and related notes included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results for a full year.

The Company is organized into two operating segments: Domestic (the United States) and International. See Note 10 for further information about the Company's operating segments.

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation. These reclassifications did not impact total assets, total liabilities, stockholders' equity, results of operations or cash flows.

There have been no material changes in the Company's significant accounting policies as compared to the significant accounting policies described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

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Long-Term Debt

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Long-Term Debt [Abstract]

Long-Term Debt

4. Long-term Debt

As of September 30, 2011, the Company had $200.0 million of long-term debt outstanding. The debt consists of $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8.50% senior notes due November 15, 2017 (the "Notes"). Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually at a rate of 8.50% per annum on May 15 and November 15 of each year, commencing on May 15, 2010.

The Notes include, among other terms and conditions, limitations on the Company's ability to create, incur, assume or be liable for indebtedness (other than specified types of permitted indebtedness); dispose of assets outside the ordinary course (subject to specified exceptions); acquire, merge or consolidate with or into another person or entity (other than specified types of permitted acquisitions); create, incur or allow any lien on any of its property or assign any right to receive income (except for specified permitted liens); make investments (other than specified types of investments); or pay dividends, make distributions, or purchase or redeem the Company's equity interests (each subject to specified exceptions). At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.

Based on quoted market prices, the fair value of the Notes as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 was approximately $216.5 million and $225.0 million, respectively.

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Commitments And Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]
Commitments related to streaming content license agreements	$ 3,458,900,000	$ 1,123,400,000
Streaming content included in other non-current liabilities	$ 348,182,000	$ 48,179,000

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Balance Sheet Components (Accounts Payable) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Balance Sheet Components [Abstract]
Streaming content	$ 653,591	$ 136,974
Other	96,516	85,850
Accounts payable	$ 750,107	$ 222,824

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Balance Sheet Components

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Balance Sheet Components [Abstract]

Balance Sheet Components

5. Balance Sheet Components

Content Library, Net

Content library and accumulated amortization are as follows:

	As of
	September 30, 2011			December 31, 2010
	(in thousands)
Streaming content library, gross	$	1,629,096		$	441,637
DVD content library, gross		604,139			627,392
Content library, gross		2,233,235			1,069,029
Less: accumulated amortization		(957,627	)		(707,050	)
Total content library, net		1,275,608			361,979
Less: Current content library, net		705,398			181,006
Content library, net	$	570,210		$	180,973

Property and Equipment, Net

Property and equipment and accumulated depreciation are as follows:

		As of
		September 30, 2011			December 31, 2010
		(in thousands)
Computer equipment	3 years	$	68,907		$	60,289
Operations and other equipment	5 years		100,262			72,368
Software, including internal-use software	3 years		36,012			26,961
Furniture and fixtures	3 years		14,361			11,438
Building	30 years		40,681			40,681
Leasehold improvements	Over life of lease		41,027			36,530
Capital work-in-progress			4,095			16,882
Property and equipment, gross			305,345			265,149
Less: accumulated depreciation			(161,352	)		(136,579	)
Property and equipment, net		$	143,993		$	128,570

Accounts Payable and Other Non-Current Liabilities

Accounts payable consisted of the following:

	As of
	September 30, 2011		December 31, 2010
	(in thousands)
Streaming content	$	653,591	$	136,974
Other		96,516		85,850
Accounts payable	$	750,107	$	222,824

Other non-current liabilities consisted of the following:

	As of
	September 30, 2011		December 31, 2010
	(in thousands)
Streaming content	$	348,182	$	48,179
Other		24,658		21,022
Other non-current liabilities	$	372,840	$	69,201

The Company typically enters into multi-year licenses with studios and other distributors that may result in an increase in content library and a corresponding increase in accounts payable and other non-current liabilities. The payment terms for these license fees may extend over the term of the license agreement, which typically range from six months to five years. As of September 30, 2011, streaming content accounts payable and non-current streaming content liabilities increased $516.6 million and $300.0 million, respectively, as compared to December 31, 2010, due to the $1,344.2 million in additions to the streaming content library.

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Segment Information (Information On Reportable Segments And Reconciliation To Consolidated Net Income) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total unique subscribers at end of period	25,269	16,933
Revenues	$ 821,839	$ 553,219	$ 2,329,002	$ 1,566,703
Cost of revenues and marketing expenses	625,725	425,707	1,753,096	1,197,555
Contribution profit	196,114	127,512	575,906	369,148
Other operating expenses	99,272	58,011	261,710	163,960
Operating income	96,842	69,501	314,196	205,188
Other income (expense)	(3,219)	(4,092)	(11,509)	(12,051)
Provision for income taxes	31,163	27,442	111,780	79,379
Net income	62,460	37,967	190,907	113,758
Domestic [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Streaming subscriptions	21,448
DVD subscriptions	13,928
Total unique subscribers at end of period	23,789	16,800
Revenues	799,152	553,219	2,275,140	1,566,703
Cost of revenues and marketing expenses	579,720	423,013	1,655,828	1,194,861
Contribution profit	219,432	130,206	619,312	371,842
Other operating expenses	99,272	58,011	261,710	163,960
Operating income	120,160	72,195	357,602	207,882
International [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total unique subscribers at end of period	1,480	133
Revenues	22,687		53,862
Cost of revenues and marketing expenses	46,005	2,694	97,268	2,694
Contribution profit	$ (23,318)	$ (2,694)	$ (43,406)	$ (2,694)

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Balance Sheet Components (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011 years months	Sep. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Balance Sheet Components [Abstract]
License agreement, payment terms minimum (months)			6
License agreement, payment terms maximum (years)			5
Increase in streaming content accounts payable			$ 516,600,000
Increase in non-current streaming content liabilities					300,000,000
Additions to streaming content library	$ (539,285,000)	$ (115,149,000)	$ (1,344,187,000)	$ (231,781,000)

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Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Comprehensive income	$ 62.2	$ 38.4	$ 190.7	$ 114.8

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Commitments And Contingencies (Expected Timing Of Payments For Commitments) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2011
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]
Less than one year	$ 740,800
Due after one year and through 3 years	2,136,900
Due after 3 years and through 5 years	535,700
Due after 5 years	45,500
Total streaming content obligations	$ 3,458,900

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Balance Sheet Components (Property And Equipment And Accumulated Depreciation) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011 Computer Equipment [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Operations And Other Equipment [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Software, Including Internal-Use Software [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Furniture And Fixtures [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Building [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Computer equipment	$ 68,907	$ 60,289
Operations and other equipment	100,262	72,368
Software, including internal-use software	36,012	26,961
Furniture and fixtures	14,361	11,438
Building	40,681	40,681
Leasehold improvements	41,027	36,530
Capital work-in-progress	4,095	16,882
Property and equipment, gross	305,345	265,149
Less: accumulated depreciation	(161,352)	(136,579)
Property and equipment, net	$ 143,993	$ 128,570
Property and equipment, useful life			3	5	3	3	30
Property and equipment useful life over life of lease								Over life of lease

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Balance Sheet Components (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Balance Sheet Components [Abstract]

Content Library And Accumulated Amortization

	As of
	September 30, 2011			December 31, 2010
	(in thousands)
Streaming content library, gross	$	1,629,096		$	441,637
DVD content library, gross		604,139			627,392
Content library, gross		2,233,235			1,069,029
Less: accumulated amortization		(957,627	)		(707,050	)
Total content library, net		1,275,608			361,979
Less: Current content library, net		705,398			181,006
Content library, net	$	570,210		$	180,973

Property And Equipment And Accumulated Depreciation

		As of
		September 30, 2011			December 31, 2010
		(in thousands)
Computer equipment	3 years	$	68,907		$	60,289
Operations and other equipment	5 years		100,262			72,368
Software, including internal-use software	3 years		36,012			26,961
Furniture and fixtures	3 years		14,361			11,438
Building	30 years		40,681			40,681
Leasehold improvements	Over life of lease		41,027			36,530
Capital work-in-progress			4,095			16,882
Property and equipment, gross			305,345			265,149
Less: accumulated depreciation			(161,352	)		(136,579	)
Property and equipment, net		$	143,993		$	128,570

Accounts Payable

	As of
	September 30, 2011		December 31, 2010
	(in thousands)
Streaming content	$	653,591	$	136,974
Other		96,516		85,850
Accounts payable	$	750,107	$	222,824

Other Non-Current Liabilities

	As of
	September 30, 2011		December 31, 2010
	(in thousands)
Streaming content	$	348,182	$	48,179
Other		24,658		21,022
Other non-current liabilities	$	372,840	$	69,201

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Other Comprehensive Income

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]

Other Comprehensive Income

6. Other Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income was $62.2 million and $38.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Comprehensive income was $190.7 million and $114.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The difference between net income as reported and comprehensive income is unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, net of tax.

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Segment Information (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Segment Information [Abstract]

Information On Reportable Segments And Reconciliation To Consolidated Net Income

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2011			September 30, 2010			September 30, 2011			September 30, 2010
				(in thousands)
Domestic
Streaming subscriptions		21,448
DVD subscriptions		13,928
Total unique subscribers at end of period		23,789			16,800
Revenues	$	799,152		$	553,219		$	2,275,140		$	1,566,703
Cost of revenues and marketing expenses		579,720			423,013			1,655,828			1,194,861
Contribution profit		219,432			130,206			619,312			371,842
Other operating expenses		99,272			58,011			261,710			163,960
Segment operating income	$	120,160		$	72,195		$	357,602		$	207,882
International
Total unique subscribers at end of period		1,480			133
Revenues	$	22,687		$	—		$	53,862		$	—
Cost of revenues and marketing expenses		46,005			2,694			97,268			2,694
Contribution profit (loss)	$	(23,318	)	$	(2,694	)	$	(43,406	)	$	(2,694	)
Consolidated
Total unique subscribers at end of period		25,269			16,933
Revenues	$	821,839		$	553,219		$	2,329,002		$	1,566,703
Cost of revenues and marketing expenses		625,725			425,707			1,753,096			1,197,555
Contribution profit		196,114			127,512			575,906			369,148
Other operating expenses		99,272			58,011			261,710			163,960
Operating income	$	96,842		$	69,501		$	314,196		$	205,188
Other income (expense)		(3,219	)		(4,092	)		(11,509	)		(12,051	)
Provision for income taxes		31,163			27,442			111,780			79,379
Net income	$	62,460		$	37,967		$	190,907		$	113,758

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Income Taxes (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Effective tax rates	33.30%	42.00%	36.90%	41.10%
Unrecognized tax benefits					$ 20.7
Increase in gross unrecognized tax benefits			5.6
Reduction in provision for income taxes due to impact of effective tax rate	21.0		21.0
Income tax benefits attributable to the exercise of employee stock options	11.6	16.1	45.0	34.6
Gross interest and penalties accrued	1.8		1.8
Gross unrecognized tax benefit	$ 3.5

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Balance Sheet Components (Content Library And Accumulated Amortization) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Balance Sheet Components [Abstract]
Streaming content library, gross	$ 1,629,096	$ 441,637
DVD content library, gross	604,139	627,392
Content library, gross	2,233,235	1,069,029
Less: accumulated amortization	(957,627)	(707,050)
Total content library, net	1,275,608	361,979
Less: Current content library, net	705,398	181,006
Content library, net	$ 570,210	$ 180,973

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Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 62,460	$ 37,967	$ 190,907	$ 113,758
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Additions to streaming content library	(539,285)	(115,149)	(1,344,187)	(231,781)
Change in streaming content liabilities	314,720	58,638	816,620	88,197
Amortization of streaming content library	187,446	44,568	417,849	93,091
Amortization of DVD content library	23,000	32,578	73,990	111,490
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and intangibles	11,913	8,678	31,921	28,846
Stock-based compensation expense	15,705	7,296	43,505	19,726
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	(11,761)	(16,093)	(45,283)	(34,699)
Other non-cash items	(1,745)	(1,754)	(3,472)	(7,814)
Deferred taxes	(5,281)	3,194	(14,190)	(2,961)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Prepaid content	(17,335)	(25,485)	(14,928)	(32,581)
Other current assets	(8,578)	(3,374)	4,935	(12,037)
Other accounts payable	(5,422)	(10,914)	4,948	1,246
Accrued expenses	20,920	18,003	61,531	39,666
Deferred revenue	13,992	1,567	33,746	2,889
Other non-current assets and liabilities	(11,218)	2,507	(5,646)	2,648
Net cash provided by operating activities	49,531	42,227	252,246	179,684
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of DVD content library	(20,826)	(29,900)	(62,010)	(90,993)
Purchases of short-term investments	(7,673)	(15,379)	(100,536)	(73,169)
Proceeds from sale of short-term investments	37	42,238	31,508	105,063
Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments	1,805	1,995	18,440	10,318
Purchases of property and equipment	(14,080)	(7,342)	(39,026)	(19,406)
Other assets	(844)	2,782	1,419	10,289
Net cash used in investing activities	(41,581)	(5,606)	(150,205)	(57,898)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Principal payments of lease financing obligations	(526)	(470)	(1,547)	(1,296)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	4,409	10,927	18,589	33,954
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	11,761	16,093	45,283	34,699
Repurchases of common stock	(39,602)	(57,390)	(199,666)	(210,259)
Net cash used in financing activities	(23,958)	(30,840)	(137,341)	(142,902)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(16,008)	5,781	(35,300)	(21,116)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	175,207	107,327	194,499	134,224
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 159,199	$ 113,108	$ 159,199	$ 113,108

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Net Income Per Share (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011
Net Income Per Share [Abstract]
Employee stock options excluded from calculation of diluted earnings per share	188,609	75,823

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Short-Term Investments And Fair Value Measurement (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Short-Term Investments And Fair Value Measurement [Abstract]
Material other-than-temporary impairments or credit losses related to available-for-sale securities	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Material gross realized gains or losses	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

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Net Income Per Share

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Net Income Per Share [Abstract]

Net Income Per Share

2. Net Income Per Share

Basic net income per share is computed using the weighted-average number of outstanding shares of common stock during the period. Diluted net income 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, and for 2010, shares that were purchasable pursuant to the Company's employee stock purchase plan ("ESPP") using the treasury stock method. The Company's ESPP was suspended in 2011 and there were no offerings in 2011. The computation of net income per share is as follows:

	Three months ended				Nine months ended
	September 30, 2011		September 30, 2010		September 30, 2011		September 30, 2010
	(in thousands, except per share data)
Basic earnings per share:
Net income	$	62,460	$	37,967	$	190,907	$	113,758
Shares used in computation:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding		52,569		52,142		52,599		52,510
Basic earnings per share	$	1.19	$	0.73	$	3.63	$	2.17
Diluted earnings per share:
Net income	$	62,460	$	37,967	$	190,907	$	113,758
Shares used in computation:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding		52,569		52,142		52,599		52,510
Employee stock options and employee stock purchase plan shares		1,301		1,789		1,409		1,831
Weighted-average number of shares		53,870		53,931		54,008		54,341
Diluted earnings per share	$	1.16	$	0.70	$	3.53	$	2.09

Employee stock options with exercise prices greater than the average market price of the common stock during the period were excluded from the diluted calculation as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. The number of options excluded for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 were 188,609 and 75,823, respectively. The number of options excluded for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 was immaterial.

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Net Income Per Share (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Net Income Per Share [Abstract]

Computation Of Net Income Per Share

	Three months ended				Nine months ended
	September 30, 2011		September 30, 2010		September 30, 2011		September 30, 2010
	(in thousands, except per share data)
Basic earnings per share:
Net income	$	62,460	$	37,967	$	190,907	$	113,758
Shares used in computation:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding		52,569		52,142		52,599		52,510
Basic earnings per share	$	1.19	$	0.73	$	3.63	$	2.17
Diluted earnings per share:
Net income	$	62,460	$	37,967	$	190,907	$	113,758
Shares used in computation:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding		52,569		52,142		52,599		52,510
Employee stock options and employee stock purchase plan shares		1,301		1,789		1,409		1,831
Weighted-average number of shares		53,870		53,931		54,008		54,341
Diluted earnings per share	$	1.16	$	0.70	$	3.53	$	2.09

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Stockholders' Equity (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Components of Stockholders' Equity [Line Items]
Stock repurchase plan, authorized amount			$ 300,000,000
Repurchases of common stock, shares	182,000		899,847
Average price per share of common stock repurchased	$ 218		$ 222
Aggregate amount of common stock repurchased	39,600,000		199,700,000
Stock repurchase program, remaining authorized repurchase amount			41,000,000
Unsettled share repurchases	0		0
Acquisition costs related to share repurchase	7,800,000		40,900,000
Total intrinsic value of options exercised	32,200,000	44,800,000	125,600,000	100,700,000
Cash received from option exercised	4,400,000	10,900,000	18,600,000	34,000,000
Weighted-average fair value of employee stock options granted per share	$ 137.90	$ 56.55	$ 127.41	$ 40.96
Cash received from the issuance of common stock	$ 4,409,000	$ 10,927,000	$ 18,589,000	$ 33,954,000
Executives [Member]
Components of Stockholders' Equity [Line Items]
Suboptimal exercise factor, minimum			$ 3.39	$ 2.15
Suboptimal exercise factor, maximum			$ 3.63	$ 2.40
Calculated expected life of the option grants (in years)			8	5
Non-Executives [Member]
Components of Stockholders' Equity [Line Items]
Suboptimal exercise factor, minimum			$ 2.17	$ 1.78
Suboptimal exercise factor, maximum			$ 2.26	$ 2.00
Calculated expected life of the option grants (in years)			5	4

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Commitments And Contingencies (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]

Expected Timing Of Payments For Commitments

	(in thousands)
Less than one year	$	740.8
Due after one year and through 3 years		2,136.9
Due after 3 years and through 5 years		535.7
Due after 5 years		45.5
Total streaming content obligations	$	3,458.9

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Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Consolidated Statements Of Operations [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 821,839	$ 553,219	$ 2,329,002	$ 1,566,703
Cost of revenues:
Subscription	471,823	292,406	1,277,018	817,353
Fulfillment expenses	64,794	52,063	187,728	149,212
Total cost of revenues	536,617	344,469	1,464,746	966,565
Gross profit	285,222	208,750	864,256	600,138
Operating expenses:
Technology and development	69,480	42,108	178,250	117,370
Marketing	89,108	81,238	288,350	230,990
General and administrative	29,792	15,903	83,460	46,590
Total operating expenses	188,380	139,249	550,060	394,950
Operating income	96,842	69,501	314,196	205,188
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(4,915)	(4,945)	(15,083)	(14,797)
Interest and other income	1,696	853	3,574	2,746
Income before income taxes	93,623	65,409	302,687	193,137
Provision for income taxes	31,163	27,442	111,780	79,379
Net income	$ 62,460	$ 37,967	$ 190,907	$ 113,758
Net income per share:
Basic	$ 1.19	$ 0.73	$ 3.63	$ 2.17
Diluted	$ 1.16	$ 0.70	$ 3.53	$ 2.09
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	52,569	52,142	52,599	52,510
Diluted	53,870	53,931	54,008	54,341

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Stockholders' Equity (Summary Of Assumptions Used To Value Stock Option Grants Using Lattice-Binomial Model) (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Expected volatility	52.00%	54.00%	0.00%
Expected volatility, minimum			51.00%	46.00%
Expected volatility, maximum			52.00%	54.00%
Risk-free interest rate	2.98%	2.97%
Risk-free interest rate, minimum			2.98%	2.97%
Risk-free interest rate, maximum			3.42%	3.67%
Suboptimal exercise factor, minimum	2.26	2.00	2.17	1.78
Suboptimal exercise factor, maximum	3.63	2.40	3.63	2.40

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Stockholders' Equity (Summary Of Assumptions Used To Value Employee Stock Purchase Rights) (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Subsidiary, Sale of Stock [Line Items]
Dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Expected volatility	52.00%	54.00%	0.00%
Risk-free interest rate	2.98%	2.97%
Employee Stock Purchase Rights [Member]
Subsidiary, Sale of Stock [Line Items]
Dividend yield				0.00%
Expected volatility				45.00%
Risk-free interest rate				0.24%
Expected life (in years)				0.5