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Reed Hastings on Netflix originals and streaming: interview summary

Full interview: Reed Hastings, founder and CEO of Netflix | Code 2017

On with Kara Swisher · May 31, 2017 · about 33 min

Uploaded May 31, 2017 · 126.3K views (as of Oct 30, 2026)

Some value given

Netflix began with licensed shows, then moved into originals with House of Cards.
He sees series and films as close cousins, so Netflix makes both.
French theater owners pushed back when Netflix films entered the Cannes competition.
He believes shows made in one country can find fans all around the world.
The goal of recommendations is like Google's 'I'm feeling lucky': the first thing you see should be right.

How did Reed Hastings think about Netflix's move into original content?

He says Netflix first licensed great shows from other networks, then moved into its own series starting with House of Cards. Along the way they realized TV shows and movies are very similar as entertainment, so original films were a natural next step, even if theater owners pushed back.

Worth watching?Some value given. A relaxed look at Netflix as it moved from licensed shows into originals and films. Good for the strategy thinking. Parts on net neutrality and charter schools are side topics.

ActionableLessons

Actionable

Look at what you resell today and ask if you could make your own version.
Test one product idea in a new market that seems unlikely.
Make your first recommendation to a customer the best one.
When you change strategy, ask if your team has the skills for the new one.

Lessons

Moving from distributor to maker changes a company.
Incumbents push back when you change the rules.
Good stories travel across borders.
Big shifts sometimes need new people in key roles.

Quick answer

Reed Hastings sat down with On with Kara Swisher for this interview, published May 31, 2017. Here's our summary in our own words: a verdict, the answer to the big question, 5 takeaways, Actionable and Lessons tabs, then the stories, frameworks and how to use them.

What 125x is: 125x is a web app at 125x.app. You connect your YouTube subscriptions, and it gives you a feed of the latest videos from the channels you follow, each with a summary: a verdict, the 5 key takeaways, and the spoiler, plus Actionable and Lessons tabs with more tips. You read that and decide what's actually worth opening.

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Watch the interview

Watch on YouTube: Full interview: Reed Hastings, founder and CEO of Netflix | Code 2017

Channel: On with Kara Swisher. Published May 31, 2017. About 33 minutes.

Who is Reed Hastings?

Reed Hastings co-founded Netflix in 1997 and led it as CEO until 2023.

This interview was at the 2017 Code Conference with Kara Swisher and Peter Kafka.

Key stories from the interview

He walks through the path from DVDs to streaming to original shows.
He explains the Cannes dispute with French theater owners.
Asked about switching from DVD to streaming, he agrees they brought in new people to lead it.
He talks about his work supporting charter schools.

Frameworks and ideas

Licensed first, original later.
Global stories for an internet audience.
The 'I'm feeling lucky' goal for recommendations.

In their words (paraphrased)

TV shows and movies are actually very similar in many ways.
There's much more connection between audiences on the internet than people think.
The dream is that the first thing you see is the right one.

How to apply this

Draft a plan for making one thing you currently buy from others.
Review your product's first screen and ask if it shows the best option.
List which roles you'd need for your next big shift.

Read the biography

Want the longer story? Read our No Rules Rules summary.

A note on this summary

This page reports what was said in the interview, in our own words. Lines under 'In their words' are paraphrased from the transcript, so check the video for exact wording.

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FAQ: questions people ask

When did Netflix start original series?

Hastings points to House of Cards as the start of its original series.

Why did Netflix clash with Cannes?

French theater owners objected because Netflix films weren't released in French theaters.

Is this Reed Hastings interview worth watching?

Some value given. Good strategy context, but it's from 2017.