The Crazy Numbers Behind Netflix's 20 Years of SuccessA well-timed pivot led the way to monetary success and critical acclaim.

It's been an exciting few years for Netflix. On Aug. 29, 2017, it celebrated 20 years since its founding. And April 14, 2008 saw another milestone -- two decades since it officially opened for business.

As the company grew, onetime competitors in the space -- Blockbuster (RIP), Redbox and even Walmart -- faded from view. Mobile devices became more powerful, better equipping viewers to watch anywhere.

The company started with a little more than 900 movie titles and has evolved since into a algorithm-driven powerhouse with more than70,000different "microgenres," from international rom-coms to dramas with strong female leads.

By 2007, the company had launched its streaming video service, which allowed it to expand beyond its initial premise of DVD rentals by mail, charting the path for its current pop cultural dominance, even putting tech behemoths including Amazon on notice.

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In 2017, Netflix brought in more than$11 billionin revenue and had its first full year of turning a profit in international markets. Back in the states, the company now has 125 million subscribers.

Netflix isn't just profiting monetarily, but creatively, particularly in the world of TV. In recent months, prolific showrunners Shonda Rhimes and Ryan Murphy were brought into the fold with a$100 million four-yearand a$300 million five-yeardeal respectively.

The streaming service also has some big expectations for 2018. Netflix plans to spend between $7 billion and $8 billion on content -- a $1 billion to $2 billion increase from 2017 -- and is planning to release80 original films, leaping ahead of movie studio competitors like Sony and Disney.

On its 20th anniversary, here's a look at Netflix by the numbers.

A strange thing

Reed Hastings wore aStranger Thingsthemed ugly sweater during an earnings call in November 2017. You can purchase theStranger Thingssweater at Target for$32.99.

125 million

Netflix has125 millionsubscribers around the world.

A growing library

The streaming servicelaunchedwith roughly 1,000 films and TV series. As of the spring 2017,Netflixhad 4,563 movies and 2,445 shows in its digital library.

International

The service is available in 21languages.

That's a lot of data

Netflix made up nearly37 percentof all internet traffic in North America in 2015.

Worldwide

It is currently available to users in190 countries. At the start of 2016, the company added 130 to the 60 it was already serving.

Got to spend money to make money

As of last year, the company reportedly spends$6 billiona year on developing new series.

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Original content

Netflix launched its second original series, an American remake of the British political thrillerHouse of Cards,in 2013. It's first attempt at original content was 2012 series calledLilyhammer.It starred Steven Van Zandt as an American mobster hiding out in Norway and didn't get quite as much fanfare as the D.C.-based drama.

Bingeworthy

In 2012, Netflix offered only four pieces of original content, but by 2016, it offered126different original series and films. In 2017, the company expects to make more than1,000 hoursof original programming, compared to more than 600 hours in 2016.

Award winning

In 2013, the companywonthree primetime Emmy's and became the first internet network to be nominated for the award. Since 2013 it has been nominated for the award 133 times.

Fit for royalty

The Crown,Netflix's ambitious series about the life and times of Queen Elizabeth II, is reportedly the most expensive television show ever made, with a production cost of$130 million.

Unlimited

In 1999, the company launched themodelthat it became known for before the service got into the streaming game -- unlimited DVD rentals with a monthly subscription.

Predictions

In 2009, the company awarded $1 million, as part of the firstNetflix Prize, to a seven-person team who came up with an algorithm to boost the accuracy of what a viewer would like to watch based on their previous choices.

You know what, never mind

In 2011, the announcement was made that Netflix was going to split in two. The DVD rental part of the company was going to be called Qwikster.com while streaming would remain under the Netflix banner. But after a customer uproar, theplanswere scuttled.

Back from the dead

Netflix is something of a wish-granting factory for people mourning the loss of their favorite shows.Arrested Development, Black Mirror, Degrassi, Full House, Gilmore Girls, The Killing, LongmireandStar Wars: The Clone Warshave all been resurrected on the platform.

9

The number of original series (including some holdovers from old networks such asLongmireandthe Killing) that Netflix has actuallycancelled. But even Netflix can be persuaded. Lana and Lily Wachowski's sci-fi seriesSense8was cancelled after two seasons, but after a fan campaign,The Matrixdirectors are making结尾的电影in lieu of a third season.

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Going public

On May 23, 2002, Netflix officially became apubliclytraded company. If youinvested$1,000 in the company that day, your shares would be worth more than $148,000 as of Aug. 29, 2017.

Still going strong

As of May 2017, the company was valued at$70 billion. In July, Morgan Stanley valued the content assets alone at$11 billion.

1991

The year CEO and co-founder Reed Hastings founded his first company, Pure Software. In 1997, the company was acquired by Rational Software and left the business soon after, leading the way to start Netflix.

Come a long way

In an interview withUSA Todayin 2006, Hastings shared that as CEO of Pure Software, he wasn't always confident of his abilities. "I tried to fire myself -- twice," he said.

7

The number of boards Hastings sits on, including Microsoft and Facebook.

The One to Beat

For each of the past 17 years, HBO was the network with the most Emmy nominations, but this year, the channel's reign came to an end whenNetflixtook the top spot. This year, Netflix received 112 nominations and HBO got 108. Netflix seriesGLOWandUnbreakable Kimmy Schmidtare on the best comedy list, andThe CrownandStranger Thingsare in contention to win for best drama. Other notable nominations include the first episode of the most recent season ofBlack Mirror, "USS Callister," which got recognized for best TV movie and the buzzy reboot ofQueer Eye got nominated for Best Structured Reality Series.