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Vishu Bheda
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Medial • 6m
In 2001, Netflix begged Blockbuster to buy them for $50 million. But Blockbuster laughed at them. Today, Netflix is worth over $350 billion—and no one remembers Blockbuster. Here’s how that rejection ignited one of the greatest business comebacks ever: In 1997, Netflix started as a DVD rental-by-mail service, founded by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph. At the time, Blockbuster dominated the movie rental industry with thousands of stores and millions of customers. By 2001, Netflix had only 300,000 subscribers and was running out of money. Desperate for help, Netflix approached Blockbuster, offering to sell the company for $50 million. The plan was for Netflix to handle online rentals while Blockbuster focused on physical stores. However, Blockbuster dismissed the idea, seeing Netflix as a small, niche business with no future. This rejection fueled Netflix to pivot. They introduced a subscription model, offering unlimited DVD rentals for a flat fee without late fees. Customers loved the convenience, and Netflix began to grow. In 2007, Netflix made another bold move: streaming movies and TV shows online. As internet speeds improved, this innovation reshaped the entertainment industry. Blockbuster, on the other hand, was slow to adapt and eventually filed for bankruptcy in 2010. Netflix didn’t stop there. In 2013, they began creating their own content, starting with House of Cards. It was a hit, followed by other successful series like Stranger Things and The Crown. Today, Netflix has over 250 million subscribers worldwide and is valued at over $350 billion. The company’s journey is a powerful reminder of how innovation, resilience, and the ability to adapt can transform challenges into incredible success. Follow me for more such amazing business case studies.
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