Strategic Analysis of Netflix Operations and Strategies in the UK

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of Netflix's operations and strategies within the UK market. It begins with an executive summary and introduction, highlighting the company's impact on the online streaming industry. The report explores the industry's overview, including market growth and consumer preferences, followed by an application of Porter's Five Forces to assess the competitive landscape. It delves into the drivers of change in the macro environment, encompassing political, economic, social, cultural, and technological factors influencing Netflix's performance. Furthermore, the report identifies the drivers of profitability for Netflix, such as expanding international markets and adapting to changing customer needs. A SWOT analysis provides an in-depth examination of the company's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in the UK. Finally, the report concludes with strategic recommendations for Netflix's leadership, based on the preceding analysis, providing actionable insights for continued success in the UK market. The report includes references to support the analysis.

Running head: ANALYSIS OF NETFLIX
Analysis of Netflix
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1ANALYSIS OF NETFLIX
Executive summary
The purpose of this paper is to study the operations and strategies of the American organization,
Netflix, in the United Kingdom. Netflix is one of the largest online streaming companies in the
world at present and has completely revolutionized the way people watch and perceive television
shows and movies. The changing trends in the industry, coupled with the change in the attitudes
and preferences of the consumers have led to the immense popularity of companies like Netflix.
The following paper studies the factors affecting Netflix’s profitability in the market, the drivers
of change in the macro environment in the UK, and the threats and opportunities for the
company. The paper also lists recommendations for the same.

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Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Discussion........................................................................................................................................4
Overview of online streaming industry in United Kingdom.......................................................4
Porter’s Five Forces of UK online streaming industry................................................................5
Drivers of change in the macro environment for the online streaming industry.........................6
Drivers of profitability in the industry.........................................................................................8
SWOT analysis of Netflix in UK...............................................................................................10
Recommendations for the company’s leadership......................................................................12
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................13
References:....................................................................................................................................14

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Introduction
Netflix US is an American company which was founded in the year 1997 by Marc
Randolph and Reed Hastings with its headquarters in California. The company is a media
services provider and is one of the top online streaming websites in the world at present. The
primary service that the company provides is its subscription based streaming media services
(Netflix.com 2018). Netflix contains a library of various television shows and films. While some
of these films and shows are in house productions, some are produced by external production
houses. The customers who subscribe to Netflix would be able to access all the shows,
documentaries and films under their banner after having paid a definite charge. At present,
Netflix has over 137 million subscribers around the world.
The present generation of youngsters prefers to watch their films and television series at
home, instead of having to head out to brick and mortar theatres. It is comparatively more
convenient. It is this change in attitude which has led to the increasing popularity of online media
streaming websites like Netflix US. In the UK and around the world, people are choosing to opt
for Netflix as compared to traditional television, because of a few factors. For one, the variety of
shows and films that are available on Netflix allows the viewers access to enriching content.
Secondly, viewers also have access to a range of Netflix Original films and shows, which are not
available elsewhere. For a nominal charge, viewers can watch television shows and films on the
go, from any remote corner of the world and even use multiple devices to access the website.
The following report analyses Netflix’s presence in the UK, with emphasis on the factors
affecting operations and profitability.

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Discussion
Overview of online streaming industry in United Kingdom
The above diagram shows the growth of viewers in the online streaming media industry
in UK from December 2012 to December 2015. The graph also shows an estimated growth till
the year 2020. In 2014, there were nearly three million viewers who were paying subscription to
Netflix. The number is expected to reach about 9.5 million by the year 2020. In the United
Kingdom, the viewers have access to at least 2023 films and 697 television series (Forbes 2018).
The media and the entertainment industries are expected to grow at an annual rate of 3 per cent
for the next few years. The industry of digital media is expected to grow at nearly 7 per cent in
the next few years. The subscriptions to traditional pay television services, which had dominated

5ANALYSIS OF NETFLIX
the UK market for years, have now fallen. These are gradually being replaced by online media
streaming websites like Netflix and Amazon. Out of the two, Netflix has almost a 34 per cent
dominance over the market. While Pay TV revenues have gone down, the popularity of
broadcast television remains consistent. Yet, it has been observed that the majority of the
population watching broadcast television is older. On the contrary, the younger generation
between the ages of 16 and 34 prefer to watch shows and films on online channels.
Porter’s Five Forces of UK online streaming industry
The Porter’s Five Forces analysis of Netflix in the UK is as follows:
 Bargaining power of buyers – The bargaining power of buyers or the customers in this
case is very high. This is because the switching costs are very low and it is very easy for a
customer to switch to a different streaming website if they are not satisfied with the
quality of service or content provided by the website in question.
 Bargaining power of suppliers – The bargaining power of suppliers in this industry is
pretty low. However, Netflix will need to ensure that the contracts with the network
providers and subscribers are maintained properly. This would determine the quality of
content provided by the company.
 Threat of new entrants – The threat of new entrants in this industry is very high. Online
streaming has almost completely replaced traditional media at present and thus a number
of new names have come up in the industry which provide similar services. Also, the
entry costs in this industry are not very high, which means that new entrants are a real
threat for Netflix.
 Rivalry in the industry – The competition in the online streaming industry is very high.
Although Netflix is one of the most popular companies in the world, it faces tough

6ANALYSIS OF NETFLIX
competition from other companies like Amazon Prime which provides similar services at
lower costs.
 Threat of substitutes – The threat of substitutes in this industry is comparatively low. This
is because online streaming is the future of television and it is expected that this industry
will continue to grow in the upcoming years.
Drivers of change in the macro environment for the online streaming industry
There have been numerous factors which have resulted in change in the online streaming
industry. They may be explained as follows:
Political factors
There have been a number of political factors which have led to an increase in the
popularity of Netflix in the online streaming industry. These political factors have also affected
the profitability and sustainability of this industry. For instance, in the United States, United
Kingdom and other places, the traditional pay television channels have lost their popularity. As a
result, there is a growing movement to impose more stringent policies and taxes on these online
media streaming websites, with respect to usage and prices. If these bills are passed, the cost of
subscribing to these channels would increase (Forbes.com 2018). Moreover, in the European
Union, several controversial rulings have been passed. These rulings categorize online streaming
websites like Netflix on the same level as traditional television (Netflix.com 2018). As a result,
companies like Netflix would have to adhere to policies which dictate that at least thirty per cent
of the content displayed will be European.
Economic factors

7ANALYSIS OF NETFLIX
One of the major drivers of change in this industry is the growing competition. Although
Netflix is one of the forerunners in the industry, there are other competitors in the UK market,
who too offer similar services. Similarly, there are other economic factors which affect the
changing trends in the online streaming industry. These include foreign exchange rates,
purchasing power of the customers, income rates, inflation rates and so on. The exchange rate is
particularly important in this case since Netflix is an American company. The pricing for the
company was fixed at around 10 US dollars. However, depending on the country and the VAT
applied, the exchange rates can go higher (Yahoo.com 2018). Similarly, fluctuations in the
domestic streaming costs may also affect the subscription rates of Netflix.
Social and cultural factors
There are various social and cultural factors which could affect Netflix’s performance in
the UK industry. For instance, a majority of the population in the United Kingdom are today
turning to online channels when it comes to movies and television shows. This can be said to be
a shift in the attitude and preferences of the customers, the viewers in this case. Most of the
younger population at present is used to watching movies and television shows on the internet –
either by downloading or through streaming websites. Netflix offers top quality content which is
both enriching and entertaining, in a variety of languages from all over the world. Thus, for
modern viewers, the subscription fee is a small price to pay for the services they receive in
exchange for it (Wang 2018). In the United Kingdom, the younger generations watch traditional
television shows at least three times less than the older generation. Research has shown that
online streaming services are the preferred mode of entertainment for this generation. Social
trends also show that a large portion of the viewers prefer to watch their films and television
shows on the go and on their smartphones. Today, customers are prepared to watch forty minutes

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worth of television on their smartphones. Netflix satisfies the need for customers to watch
content on the go. This trend is known as cord cutting, which refers to the shift from traditional
television shows to online streaming services.
Technological factors
Technological improvements and advancements are one of the most important factors
which have led to the growth of companies like Netflix. The core of its operations is based on the
availability of the internet. The rapidly developing technology sector is responsible for the
immense popularity of the company. Across the world, the 4K television market has seen an
average growth of almost 43 per cent, which is expected to be worth almost 71.9 billion dollars.
In order to make the most of this technology, Netflix has invested in this sector in order to
provide for efficient 4K streaming. However, 4K streaming requires huge amount of bandwidth
which most customers lack (Netflix.com 2018). As a result, the company has also come up with
means of compensating for the same. The company has also come up with a new technology
which grades a translation of a foreign languages show automatically.
Drivers of profitability in the industry
At present, Netflix, without a doubt is a forerunner in the online streaming industry. In
the year 2015, the company grew by 130 per cent, moving from 48.80 dollars per share to 114.38
dollars per share. The question arises as to what factors contribute to the profitability of the
company. The following factors can be said to the drivers of profitability in this industry
Expanding international markets
The growing international markets happen to be one of the most important factors
affecting the profitability of Netflix in this industry. In January, the company announced that it

9ANALYSIS OF NETFLIX
would go global by expanding to nearly 130 countries – thus reaching more than 190 million
homes. Similarly, the number of people subscribing to Netflix has almost doubled in the past few
years. Netflix may have started out as a US based company. Yet, its robust global marketing
strategies, coupled with its inclusive policy of including various foreign languages shows and
films have contributed to its growth. The company has also demonstrated the ability to grow,
adapt and accommodate the changing trends in the industry. For instance, the taste and
preferences of the people in the UK are different from that of US (Ofcom.org 2018). As such,
Netflix has been successfully able to adapt to the changing markets and unique needs and
expectations of the customers.
Changing customer needs
This is also one of the most important drivers of profitability in the industry. Had the
customers not preferred online streaming over traditional television, companies like Netflix
would not have had the opportunity to grow the way it did in the past few years. Gone are the
days when people would actually visit brick and mortar theatres to watch a film. They would
rather watch it from the comfort of their own homes. Moreover, online streaming allows a
viewer to access content on the go directly from their smartphones. One of the major reasons
why viewers have shifted to online streaming is because of the convenience they offer.
Accordingly, the domestic and international streaming markets have grown at an alarming rate
(Sweney 2018). Although Netflix has several competitors within the industry, the company has
managed to exhibit a steady growth over the last few years.
Content

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The most important factor about Netflix’s content is that it provides exceptional quality
television shows and films. The company also provides a number of original shows and films,
which are not available elsewhere. It offers a range of movies and series or shows, from different
eras and even offers subtitles for the foreign language shows. It has a number of features and a
range of easy and convenient payment options for the viewers. It is interesting to note that
Netflix is not just focusing on the volume of content generated – it pays due attention to the
quality of content as well. From documentaries to musicals, Netflix encompasses a range of
content. Moreover, Netflix has also given due prominence to rising directors and talent (Grazia
Daily 2018).
Growth of OTT TV
The number of over the top (OTT) television services has increased consistently over the
past few years. The number of subscribers is expected to reach a startling 333.2 million globally
by the year 2019. With technological advancements and changing needs of the customers, more
and more viewers are adopting internet television and on demand viewing, which companies like
Netflix provide (Pwc.co.uk 2018).
SWOT analysis of Netflix in UK
Strengths
 Brand name – Over a period of time, Netflix has emerged as one of the most popular
names in the online streaming industry, owing to its enhanced services, top rated content
and wide customer base.
 Customer base – Ever since Netflix went global, it has access to over 190 countries and
more than a 100 million customers. This is far more as compared to its competitors.

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 Original content – Netflix has not restricted itself to films and television shows which
have previously released. The USP of the company is original content, produced by its in
house production team, which are not available on other websites or in theatres.
Weaknesses
 While the original content of the show has certainly increased its profitability, the cost of
producing such original content must also be taken into account. For instance, in 2017,
the company had to invest almost 2.5 billion dollars in just original content.
 Environmental costs – Netflix was rewarded a D grade when it comes to environmental
awareness. This has resulted in bad publicity for the company.
Threats
 The most important threat for Netflix at present is growing rivalry and competition within
the online streaming industry. Netflix faces tough competition from Amazon, which has
been trying to gain a strong hold in the market. One major advantage that Amazon has
over Netflix is the fact that the former has consistently increased the sheer number of
available titles needed for online streaming. The company also provides a number of
interesting television shows and movies for the viewers, at prices comparatively lower
than that of Netflix. Amazon has also consistently been updating its library, by including
new shows at frequent intervals Netflix had suffered with market shares last year, and the
strong positioning of Amazon creates a hostile environment for Netflix. Similarly, several
other companies like HBO, Showtime, Walt Disney and others are planning to venture
into the online streaming industry (Investopedia 2018).