UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021
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: 001-35727
Netflix, Inc.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware77-0467272
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
Delaware77-0467272
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
100 Winchester Circle,Los Gatos,California95032
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)
(408) (408) 540-3700
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, par value $0.001 per shareNFLXNASDAQ Global Select Market
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      No  
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files).    Yes      No     
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large Accelerated FilerAccelerated filer
Non-accelerated filerSmaller reporting company
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes      No  
As of September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, there were 441,795,008443,383,732 shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.001, outstanding.




Table of Contents
 
Page
Part I. Financial Information
Item 1.
Page
Part I. Financial Information
Item 1.
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
Part II. Other Information
Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 2.
Item 6.


2

Table of Contents

NETFLIX, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share data)

Three Months Ended
March 31,
2021
March 31,
2020
Revenues$7,163,282 $5,767,691 
Cost of revenues3,868,511 3,599,701 
Marketing512,512 503,830 
Technology and development525,207 453,817 
General and administrative297,196 252,087 
Operating income1,959,856 958,256 
Other income (expense):
Interest expense(194,440)(184,083)
Interest and other income269,086 21,697 
Income before income taxes2,034,502 795,870 
Provision for income taxes(327,787)(86,803)
Net income$1,706,715 $709,067 
Earnings per share:
Basic$3.85 $1.61 
Diluted$3.75 $1.57 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic443,224 439,352 
Diluted455,641 452,494 
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
 September 30,
2020
 September 30,
2019
 September 30,
2020
 September 30,
2019
Revenues$6,435,637
 $5,244,905
 $18,351,614
 $14,689,013
Cost of revenues3,867,751
 3,097,919
 11,111,159
 8,974,190
Marketing527,597
 553,797
 1,465,797
 1,773,525
Technology and development453,802
 379,776
 1,342,664
 1,135,773
General and administrative271,624
 233,174
 800,947
 659,783
Operating income1,314,863
 980,239
 3,631,047
 2,145,742
Other income (expense):       
Interest expense(197,079) (160,660) (570,313) (448,222)
Interest and other income (expense)(256,324) 192,744
 (367,802) 215,378
Income before income taxes861,460
 1,012,323
 2,692,932
 1,912,898
Provision for income taxes71,484
 347,079
 473,693
 632,952
Net income$789,976
 $665,244
 $2,219,239
 $1,279,946
        
Earnings per share:       
Basic$1.79
 $1.52
 $5.04
 $2.93
Diluted$1.74
 $1.47
 $4.89
 $2.83
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:       
Basic441,526
 438,090
 440,486
 437,547
Diluted455,088
 451,552
 453,846
 451,896











See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

3

Table of Contents
NETFLIX, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(unaudited)
(in thousands)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2021
March 31,
2020
Net income$1,706,715 $709,067 
Other comprehensive loss:
Foreign currency translation adjustments
(40,261)(23,533)
Comprehensive income$1,666,454 $685,534 
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
 September 30,
2020
 September 30,
2019
 September 30,
2020
 September 30,
2019
Net income$789,976
 $665,244
 $2,219,239
 $1,279,946
Other comprehensive income (loss):       
Foreign currency translation adjustments 
32,925
 (20,894) 22,374
 (21,664)
Comprehensive income$822,901
 $644,350
 $2,241,613
 $1,258,282

























See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

4

Table of Contents
NETFLIX, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited)
(in thousands)
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
Three Months Ended
September 30,
2020
 September 30,
2019
 September 30,
2020
 September 30,
2019
March 31,
2021
March 31,
2020
Cash flows from operating activities:       Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income$789,976
 $665,244
 $2,219,239
 $1,279,946
Net income$1,706,715 $709,067 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:       
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Additions to content assets(2,653,886) (3,648,292) (8,458,943) (9,971,141)Additions to content assets(3,284,576)(3,294,275)
Change in content liabilities(379,458) (95,548) (228,945) (122,660)Change in content liabilities(266,040)258,945 
Amortization of content assets2,733,743
 2,279,977
 7,824,287
 6,636,578
Amortization of content assets2,719,196 2,483,385 
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and intangibles28,589
 26,704
 83,767
 75,761
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and intangibles35,741 28,517 
Stock-based compensation expense106,357
 100,262
 307,586
 305,310
Stock-based compensation expense107,230 97,019 
Foreign currency remeasurement gain on debtForeign currency remeasurement gain on debt(253,330)(93,060)
Other non-cash items83,851
 57,934
 219,600
 164,337
Other non-cash items72,657 65,448 
Foreign currency remeasurement loss (gain) on debt249,194
 (171,360) 275,295
 (167,676)
Deferred taxes(40,277) 52,105
 229,650
 94,251
Deferred income taxesDeferred income taxes159,733 46,619 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:       Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Other current assets(22,974) 145
 (147,261) (56,162)Other current assets(221,555)(127,353)
Accounts payable111,677
 (7,643) (149,503) (134,784)Accounts payable(137,313)(149,153)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities266,027
 260,872
 374,768
 391,814
Accrued expenses and other liabilities177,897 214,191 
Deferred revenue10,941
 22,729
 115,457
 154,607
Deferred revenue22,279 62,008 
Other non-current assets and liabilities(19,999) (44,923) (100,248) (75,528)Other non-current assets and liabilities(61,368)(41,446)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities1,263,761
 (501,794) 2,564,749
 (1,425,347)
Net cash provided by operating activitiesNet cash provided by operating activities777,266 259,912 
Cash flows from investing activities:       Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment(109,811) (45,333) (349,567) (145,298)Purchases of property and equipment(81,001)(98,015)
Change in other assets(8,840) (4,021) (9,388) (34,195)Change in other assets(4,615)(288)
Net cash used in investing activities(118,651) (49,354) (358,955) (179,493)Net cash used in investing activities(85,616)(98,303)
Cash flows from financing activities:       Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of debt0
 0
 1,009,464
 2,243,196
Debt issuance costs0
 0
 (7,559) (18,192)
Repayments of debtRepayments of debt(500,000)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock68,665
 11,989
 201,419
 56,857
Proceeds from issuance of common stock48,071 43,694 
Net cash provided by financing activities68,665
 11,989
 1,203,324
 2,281,861
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activitiesNet cash provided by (used in) financing activities(451,929)43,694 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash28,459
 (29,325) (30,624) (29,341)Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash(42,138)(70,902)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash1,242,234
 (568,484) 3,378,494
 647,680
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cashNet increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash197,583 134,401 
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period7,180,046
 5,028,205
 5,043,786
 3,812,041
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period8,238,870 5,043,786 
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period$8,422,280
 $4,459,721
 $8,422,280
 $4,459,721
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period$8,436,453 $5,178,187 
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

5

Table of Contents
NETFLIX, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share and par value data)

As of
   
March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
(unaudited)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents$8,403,705 $8,205,550 
Other current assets1,703,803 1,556,030 
Total current assets10,107,508 9,761,580 
Content assets, net26,043,991 25,383,950 
Property and equipment, net1,015,419 960,183 
Other non-current assets2,956,096 3,174,646 
Total assets$40,123,014 $39,280,359 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Current content liabilities$4,297,957 $4,429,536 
Accounts payable532,942 656,183 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities1,291,812 1,102,196 
Deferred revenue1,140,271 1,117,992 
Short-term debt698,788 499,878 
Total current liabilities7,961,770 7,805,785 
Non-current content liabilities2,465,626 2,618,084 
Long-term debt14,860,552 15,809,095 
Other non-current liabilities1,950,986 1,982,155 
Total liabilities27,238,934 28,215,119 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)00
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 4,990,000,000 shares authorized at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020; 443,383,732 and 442,895,261 issued and outstanding at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively3,600,084 3,447,698 
Accumulated other comprehensive income4,137 44,398 
Retained earnings9,279,859 7,573,144 
Total stockholders’ equity12,884,080 11,065,240 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$40,123,014 $39,280,359 
 As of
   
September 30,
2020
 December 31,
2019
 (unaudited)  
Assets   
Current assets:   
Cash and cash equivalents$8,392,391
 $5,018,437
Other current assets1,434,089
 1,160,067
Total current assets9,826,480
 6,178,504
Content assets, net25,067,633
 24,504,567
Property and equipment, net828,118
 565,221
Other non-current assets2,900,312
 2,727,420
Total assets$38,622,543
 $33,975,712
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity   
Current liabilities:   
Current content liabilities$4,599,654
 $4,413,561
Accounts payable541,298
 674,347
Accrued expenses and other liabilities1,259,124
 843,043
Deferred revenue1,040,202
 924,745
Short-term debt499,517
 0
Total current liabilities7,939,795
 6,855,696
Non-current content liabilities2,926,574
 3,334,323
Long-term debt15,547,616
 14,759,260
Other non-current liabilities1,875,235
 1,444,276
Total liabilities28,289,220
 26,393,555
Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)


 


Stockholders’ equity:   
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 4,990,000,000 shares authorized at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019; 441,795,008 and 438,806,649 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively3,303,482
 2,793,929
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(1,147) (23,521)
Retained earnings7,030,988
 4,811,749
Total stockholders’ equity10,333,323
 7,582,157
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$38,622,543
 $33,975,712





See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

6

Table of Contents
NETFLIX, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
(unaudited)
(in thousands)
Three Months Ended
 March 31,
2021
March 31,
2020
Total stockholders' equity, beginning balances$11,065,240 $7,582,157 
Common stock and additional paid-in capital:
Beginning balances$3,447,698 $2,793,929 
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of options45,156 44,584 
Stock-based compensation expense107,230 97,019 
Ending balances$3,600,084 $2,935,532 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
Beginning balances$44,398 $(23,521)
Other comprehensive loss(40,261)(23,533)
Ending balances$4,137 $(47,054)
Retained earnings:
Beginning balances$7,573,144 $4,811,749 
Net income1,706,715 709,067 
Ending balances$9,279,859 $5,520,816 
Total stockholders' equity, ending balances$12,884,080 $8,409,294 
  Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
  September 30,
2020
 September 30,
2019
 September 30,
2020
 September 30,
2019
Total stockholders' equity, beginning balances $9,334,753
 $6,105,548
 $7,582,157
 $5,238,765
         
Common stock and additional paid-in capital:        
Beginning balances $3,127,813
 $2,566,365
 $2,793,929
 $2,315,988
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of options 69,312
 11,345
 201,967
 56,674
Stock-based compensation expense 106,357
 100,262
 307,586
 305,310
Ending balance $3,303,482
 $2,677,972
 $3,303,482
 $2,677,972
  

 

    
Accumulated other comprehensive loss:        
Beginning balances $(34,072) $(20,352) $(23,521) $(19,582)
Other comprehensive income (loss) 32,925
 (20,894) 22,374
 (21,664)
Ending balance $(1,147) $(41,246) $(1,147) $(41,246)
         
Retained earnings:        
Beginning balances $6,241,012
 $3,559,535
 $4,811,749
 $2,942,359
Net income 789,976
 665,244
 2,219,239
 1,279,946
Adoption of ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) 
 
 
 2,474
Ending balances $7,030,988
 $4,224,779
 $7,030,988
 $4,224,779
         
Total stockholders' equity, ending balances $10,333,323
 $6,861,505
 $10,333,323
 $6,861,505
























See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.


7

Table of Contents
NETFLIX, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

1. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
The accompanying interim consolidated 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, 20192020 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on January 29, 2020.28, 2021. 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 content asset amortization policy 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. On a regular basis, the Company evaluates the assumptions, judgments and estimates. Actual results may differ from these 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 consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.2020. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results for a full year.
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, 2019.2020.

Recently adopted accounting pronouncements
In June 2016,December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB"(“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU"(“ASU”) 2016-13,2019-12, Financial Instruments - Credit LossesSimplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (Topic 326)740),. ASU 2019-12 removes certain exceptions for performing intraperiod tax allocations, recognizing deferred taxes for investments, and calculating income taxes in order to improve financial reportinginterim periods. The guidance also simplifies the accounting for franchise taxes, transactions that result in a step-up in the tax basis of expected credit losses on financial instrumentsgoodwill, and other commitments to extend credit. ASU 2016-13 requires that an entity measure and recognize expected credit losses for financial assets held at amortized cost and replaces the incurred loss impairment methodologyeffect of enacted changes in prior GAAP with a methodology that requires consideration of a broader range of information to estimate credit losses.tax laws or rates in interim periods. The Company adopted ASU 2016-132019-12 in the first quarter of 20202021 and the impact of the adoption was nothad no material impact to the Company'sCompany’s consolidated financial statements as credit losses are not expected to be significant based on historical collection trends, the financial condition of payment partners, and external market factors. The Company will continue to actively monitor the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on expected credit losses.statements.


2. Revenue Recognition
The Company's primary source of revenues is from monthly membership fees. Members are billed in advance of the start of their monthly membership and revenues are recognized ratably over each monthly membership period. Revenues are presented net of the taxes that are collected from members and remitted to governmental authorities. The Company is the principal in all its relationships where partners, including consumer electronics (“CE”) manufacturers, multichannel video programming distributors (“MVPDs”), mobile operators and internet service providers (“ISPs”), provide access to the service as the Company retains control over service delivery to its members. Typically, payments made to the partners, such as for marketing, are expensed, butexpensed. However, if there is no distinct service provided in exchange for the case wherepayments made to the partners or if the price that the member pays is established by the partners and there is no standalone price for the Netflix service (for instance, in a bundle), these payments are recognized as a reduction of revenues.
The following tables summarize streaming revenue, paid net membership additions, and paid memberships at end of period by region for the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020, and September 30, 2019, respectively:

United States and Canada (UCAN)
As of/ Three Months Ended
 March 31, 2021March 31, 2020
 (in thousands)
Revenues$3,170,972 $2,702,776 
Paid net membership additions448 2,307 
Paid memberships at end of period (1)74,384 69,969 


8

  As of/ Three Months Ended As of/ Nine Months Ended
  September 30, 2020 September 30, 2019 September 30, 2020 September 30, 2019
  (in thousands)
Revenues $2,933,445
 $2,621,250
 $8,475,891
 $7,379,300
Paid net membership additions 177
 613
 5,419
 2,357
Paid memberships at end of period (1) 73,081
 67,114
 73,081
 67,114
Table of Contents


Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA)
As of/ Three Months Ended
 March 31, 2021March 31, 2020
 (in thousands)
Revenues$2,343,674 $1,723,474 
Paid net membership additions1,810 6,956 
Paid memberships at end of period (1)68,508 58,734 
  As of/ Three Months Ended As of/ Nine Months Ended
  September 30, 2020 September 30, 2019 September 30, 2020 September 30, 2019
  (in thousands)
Revenues $2,019,083
 $1,428,040
 $5,635,094
 $3,980,506
Paid net membership additions 759
 3,126
 10,464
 9,537
Paid memberships at end of period (1) 62,242
 47,355
 62,242
 47,355

Latin America (LATAM)
As of/ Three Months Ended
 March 31, 2021March 31, 2020
 (in thousands)
Revenues$836,647 $793,453 
Paid net membership additions357 2,901 
Paid memberships at end of period (1)37,894 34,318 
  As of/ Three Months Ended As of/ Nine Months Ended
  September 30, 2020 September 30, 2019 September 30, 2020 September 30, 2019
  (in thousands)
Revenues $789,384
 $741,434
 $2,368,205
 $2,049,042
Paid net membership additions 256
 1,490
 4,907
 3,303
Paid memberships at end of period (1) 36,324
 29,380
 36,324
 29,380

Asia-Pacific (APAC)
As of/ Three Months Ended
 March 31, 2021March 31, 2020
 (in thousands)
Revenues$762,414 $483,660 
Paid net membership additions1,361 3,602 
Paid memberships at end of period (1)26,853 19,835 
  As of/ Three Months Ended As of/ Nine Months Ended
  September 30, 2020 September 30, 2019 September 30, 2020 September 30, 2019
  (in thousands)
Revenues $634,891
 $382,304
 $1,687,691
 $1,051,400
Paid net membership additions 1,012
 1,543
 7,271
 3,878
Paid memberships at end of period (1) 23,504
 14,485
 23,504
 14,485
(1) A paid membership (also referred to as a paid subscription) is defined as a membership that has the right to receive Netflix service following sign-up and a method of payment being provided, and that is not part of a free trial or certain other promotional offeringpromotions that may be offered by the Company to certain new andor rejoining members. A membership is canceled and ceases to be reflected in the above metrics as of the effective cancellation date. Voluntary cancellations generally become effective at the end of the prepaid membership period. Involuntary cancellations, as a result of a failed method of payment, becomesbecome effective immediately. Memberships are assigned to territories based on the geographic location used at time of sign-up as determined by the Company’s internal systems, which utilize industry standard geo-location technology.

Total U.S. revenues, inclusive of DVD revenues not reported in the tables above, were $2.8$3.0 billion and $8.0$2.5 billion respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. DVD revenues were $50 million and $2.5 billion and $7.0 billion, respectively,$64 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019. DVD revenues were $59 millionMarch 31, 2021 and $185 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, and $72 million and $229 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019.respectively.
Deferred revenue consists of membership fees billed that have not been recognized, as well as gift cards and other prepaid memberships that have not been fully redeemed. As of September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, total deferred revenue was $1,040$1,140 million, the vast majority of which was related to membership fees billed that are expected to be recognized as revenue within the next month. The remaining deferred revenue balance, which is related to gift cards and other prepaid memberships, will be recognized as revenue over the period of service after redemption, which is expected to occur over the next 12 months. The $115$22 million increase in deferred revenue as compared to the balance of $925$1,118 million for the year ended December 31, 20192020 is a result of the increase in membership fees billed due to increased memberships.members and average monthly revenue per paying member.


9

Table of Contents

3. Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is computed using the weighted-average number of outstanding shares of common stock during the period. Diluted earnings 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. The computation of earnings per share is as follows:
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2021
March 31,
2020
(in thousands, except per share data)
Basic earnings per share:
Net income$1,706,715 $709,067 
Shares used in computation:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding443,224 439,352 
Basic earnings per share$3.85 $1.61 
Diluted earnings per share:
Net income$1,706,715 $709,067 
Shares used in computation:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding443,224 439,352 
Employee stock options12,417 13,142 
Weighted-average number of shares455,641 452,494 
Diluted earnings per share$3.75 $1.57 
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
 September 30,
2020
 September 30,
2019
 September 30,
2020
 September 30,
2019
 (in thousands, except per share data)
Basic earnings per share:       
Net income$789,976
 $665,244
 $2,219,239
 $1,279,946
Shares used in computation:       
Weighted-average common shares outstanding441,526
 438,090
 440,486
 437,547
Basic earnings per share$1.79
 $1.52
 $5.04
 $2.93
        
Diluted earnings per share:       
Net income$789,976
 $665,244
 $2,219,239
 $1,279,946
Shares used in computation:       
Weighted-average common shares outstanding441,526
 438,090
 440,486
 437,547
Employee stock options13,562
 13,462
 13,360
 14,349
Weighted-average number of shares455,088
 451,552
 453,846
 451,896
Diluted earnings per share$1.74
 $1.47
 $4.89
 $2.83


Employee stock options with exercise prices greater than the average market price of the common stock were excluded from the diluted calculation as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. The following table summarizes the potential common shares excluded from the diluted calculation:
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2021
March 31,
2020
(in thousands)
Employee stock options257 1,516 
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
 September 30,
2020
 September 30,
2019
 September 30,
2020
 September 30,
2019
 (in thousands)
Employee stock options124
 2,402
 560
 1,268
10


Table of Contents

4. Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

The following tables summarize the Company's cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash as of September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2019:2020:

 As of September 30, 2020
 Cash and cash equivalents Other Current Assets Non-current Assets Total
 (in thousands)
Cash$2,968,826
 $2,761
 $26,875
 $2,998,462
Level 1 securities:       
Money market funds5,123,565
 0
 253
 5,123,818
Level 2 securities:       
Foreign Time Deposits300,000
 0
 0
 300,000
        
 $8,392,391
 $2,761
 $27,128
 $8,422,280

 As of December 31, 2019
 Cash and cash equivalents Other Current Assets Non-current Assets Total
 (in thousands)
Cash$3,103,525
 $1,863
 $22,161
 $3,127,549
Level 1 securities:       
Money market funds1,614,912
 0
 1,325
 1,616,237
Level 2 securities:       
Foreign Time Deposits300,000
 0
 0
 300,000
        
 $5,018,437
 $1,863
 $23,486
 $5,043,786

 As of March 31, 2021
 Cash and cash equivalentsOther Current AssetsNon-current AssetsTotal
 (in thousands)
Cash$4,019,585 $2,159 $30,443 $4,052,187 
Level 1 securities:
Money market funds4,083,887 146 4,084,033 
Level 2 securities:
Foreign Time Deposits300,233 300,233 
$8,403,705 $2,159 $30,589 $8,436,453 

 As of December 31, 2020
 Cash and cash equivalentsOther Current AssetsNon-current AssetsTotal
 (in thousands)
Cash$3,331,860 $1,783 $31,284 $3,364,927 
Level 1 securities:
Money market funds4,573,690 253 4,573,943 
Level 2 securities:
Foreign Time Deposits300,000 300,000 
$8,205,550 $1,783 $31,537 $8,238,870 
Other current assets include restricted cash for deposits related to self insurance. Non-current assets include restricted cash related to workers compensation deposits and letter of credit agreements. The fair value of cash equivalents 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.
See Note 6 Debt to the consolidated financial statements for further information regarding the fair value of the Company’s senior notes.
There were no material gross realized gains or losses in the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2021 and 2020, and 2019, respectively.

11


5. Balance Sheet Components

Content Assets, Net
Content assets consisted of the following:
As of
March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
(in thousands)
Licensed content, net$13,351,416 $13,747,607 
Produced content, net
Released, less amortization5,671,182 5,809,681 
In production6,030,349 4,827,455 
In development and pre-production991,044 999,207 
12,692,575 11,636,343 

Content assets, net$26,043,991 $25,383,950 
 As of
 September 30,
2020
 December 31,
2019
 (in thousands)
Licensed content, net$14,297,143
 $14,703,352
    
Produced content, net

 

Released, less amortization5,186,247
 4,382,685
In production4,696,990
 4,750,664
In development and pre-production887,253
 667,866
 10,770,490
 9,801,215
    
Total$25,067,633
 $24,504,567
    


As of September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, approximately $5,743$5,606 million, $3,675$3,376 million, and $2,264$2,013 million of the $14,297$13,351 million unamortized cost of the licensed content is expected to be amortized in each of the next three years.  As of September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, approximately $1,894$2,130 million, $1,465$1,633 million, and $1,025$1,038 million of the $5,186$5,671 million unamortized cost of the produced content that has been released is expected to be amortized in each of the next three years.
As of September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, the amount of accrued participations and residuals was not material.
The following table represents the amortization of content assets:
Three Months Ended
 March 31,
2021
March 31,
2020
(in thousands)
Licensed content$1,829,246 $1,860,170 
Produced content889,950 623,215 
Total$2,719,196 $2,483,385 
 Three Months Ended
 September 30,
2020
 September 30,
2019
 (in thousands)
Licensed content$1,885,259
 $1,810,757
Produced content848,484
 469,220
Total$2,733,743
 $2,279,977



12

 Nine Months Ended
 September 30,
2020
 September 30,
2019
 (in thousands)
Licensed content$5,628,499
 $5,382,225
Produced content2,195,788
 1,254,353
Total$7,824,287
 $6,636,578



Property and Equipment, Net
Property and equipment and accumulated depreciation consisted of the following:
As of
March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
Estimated Useful Lives
(in thousands)
Land$51,154 $50,700 
Buildings43,840 42,717 30 years
Leasehold improvements531,507 524,537 Over life of lease
Furniture and fixtures108,495 110,185 3-15 years
Information technology289,813 283,014 3 years
Corporate aircraft110,862 110,629 8 years
Machinery and equipment34,236 34,633 3-5 years
Capital work-in-progress366,056 298,558 
Property and equipment, gross1,535,963 1,454,973 
Less: Accumulated depreciation(520,544)(494,790)
Property and equipment, net$1,015,419 $960,183 
  As of  
  September 30,
2020
 December 31,
2019
 Estimated Useful Lives
  (in thousands)  
Land $13,560
 $6,125
  
Buildings 41,894
 33,141
 30 years
Leasehold improvements 387,172
 354,999
 Over life of lease
Furniture and fixtures 95,240
 87,465
 3-15 years
Information technology 264,358
 243,565
 3 years
Corporate aircraft 110,621
 108,995
 8 years
Machinery and equipment 44,111
 46,415
 3-5 years
Capital work-in-progress 345,347
 100,521
  
Property and equipment, gross 1,302,303
 981,226
  
Less: Accumulated depreciation (474,185) (416,005)  
Property and equipment, net $828,118
 $565,221
  



Leases
The Company has entered into operating leases primarily for real estate. These operating leases are included in "Other non-current assets" on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets, and represent the Company’s right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. The Company’s obligations to make lease payments are included in "Accrued expenses and other liabilities" and "Other non-current liabilities" on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.  As of September 30, 2020, total right-of-use assets were approximately $1,939 million and total operating lease liabilities were approximately $2,090 million, of which $237 million and $1,853 million were classified in "Accrued expenses and other liabilities" and "Other non-current liabilities", respectively. As of December 31, 2019, total right-of-use assets were approximately $1,532 million and total operating lease liabilities were approximately $1,613 million, of which $190 million and $1,423 million were classified in "Accrued expenses and other liabilities" and "Other non-current liabilities", respectively. The Company has entered into various short-term operating leases, primarily for marketing billboards, with an initial term of twelve months or less. These leases are not recorded on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets. All operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Because the rate implicit in each lease is not readily determinable, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate to determine the present value of the lease payments.
Information related to the Company's operating right-of-use assets and related operating lease liabilities were as follows:
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2021March 31, 2020
(in thousands)
Cash paid for operating lease liabilities$82,439 $57,490 
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease obligations49,445 51,824 
 Three Months Ended
 September 30, 2020 September 30, 2019
 (in thousands)
Cash paid for operating lease liabilities$70,917
 $51,767
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease obligations175,901
 77,549
As of
March 31, 2021December 31, 2020
(in thousands)
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net$2,007,729 $2,037,726 
Current operating lease liabilities268,087 256,222 
Non-current operating lease liabilities1,911,892 1,945,631 
Total operating lease liabilities$2,179,979 $2,201,853 






13

 Nine Months Ended
 September 30, 2020 September 30, 2019
 (in thousands)
Cash paid for operating lease liabilities$187,880
 $130,740
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease obligations (1)592,331
 1,150,443

(1) In the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the balance includes $743 million for operating leases existing on January 1, 2019. The $592 million in additions in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 primarily relate to the additions of corporate office space.


Other Current Assets
Other current assets consisted of the following:
As of
March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
(in thousands)
Trade receivables$807,036 $610,819 
Prepaid expenses273,527 203,042 
Other623,240 742,169 
Total other current assets$1,703,803 $1,556,030 
  As of
  September 30,
2020
 December 31,
2019
  (in thousands)
Trade receivables $604,789
 $454,399
Prepaid expenses 209,218
 180,999
Other 620,082
 524,669
Total other current assets $1,434,089
 $1,160,067



6. Debt
As of September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, the Company had aggregate outstanding notes of $16,047$15,559 million, net of $111$103 million of issuance costs, with varying maturities (the "Notes"). Of the outstanding balance, $500$699 million, net of issuance costs, is classified as short-term debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2019,2020, the Company had aggregate outstanding long-term notes of $14,759$16,309 million, net of $114$107 million of issuance costs. Each of the Notes were issued at par and are senior unsecured obligations of the Company. Interest is payable semi-annually at fixed rates. A portion of the outstanding notesNotes is denominated in foreign currency (comprised of €5,170 million) and is remeasured into U.S. dollars at each balance sheet date (with remeasurement lossgain totaling $249$253 million and $275 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020)March 31, 2021).
The following table provides a summary of the Company's outstanding debt and the fair values based on quoted market prices in less active markets as of September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2019:2020:
  Principal Amount at Par    Level 2 Fair Value as of
  September 30, 2020 December 31, 2019Issuance Date Maturity September 30, 2020 December 31, 2019
  (in millions)    (in millions)
5.375% Senior Notes $500
 $500
February 2013 February 2021 $507
 $518
5.500% Senior Notes 700
 700
February 2015 February 2022 736
 744
5.750% Senior Notes 400
 400
February 2014 March 2024 445
 444
5.875% Senior Notes 800
 800
February 2015 February 2025 906
 896
3.000% Senior Notes (1) 551
 0
April 2020 June 2025 575
 0
3.625% Senior Notes 500
 0
April 2020 June 2025 523
 0
4.375% Senior Notes 1,000
 1,000
October 2016 November 2026 1,092
 1,026
3.625% Senior Notes (1) 1,523
 1,459
May 2017 May 2027 1,651
 1,565
4.875% Senior Notes 1,600
 1,600
October 2017 April 2028 1,800
 1,670
5.875% Senior Notes 1,900
 1,900
April 2018 November 2028 2,269
 2,111
4.625% Senior Notes (1) 1,289
 1,234
October 2018 May 2029 1,495
 1,378
6.375% Senior Notes 800
 800
October 2018 May 2029 989
 916
3.875% Senior Notes (1) 1,406
 1,346
April 2019 November 2029 1,556
 1,429
5.375% Senior Notes 900
 900
April 2019 November 2029 1,062
 960
3.625% Senior Notes (1) 1,289
 1,234
October 2019 June 2030 1,402
 1,273
4.875% Senior Notes 1,000
 1,000
October 2019 June 2030 1,142
 1,019
  $16,158
 $14,873
    $18,150
 $15,949

Principal Amount at ParLevel 2 Fair Value as of
March 31, 2021December 31, 2020Issuance DateMaturityMarch 31, 2021December 31, 2020
(in millions)(in millions)
5.375% Senior Notes$$500 February 2013February 2021$$502 
5.500% Senior Notes700 700 February 2015February 2022729 735 
5.750% Senior Notes400 400 February 2014March 2024449 449 
5.875% Senior Notes800 800 February 2015February 2025917 921 
3.000% Senior Notes (1)551 574 April 2020June 2025600 616 
3.625% Senior Notes500 500 April 2020June 2025534 535 
4.375% Senior Notes1,000 1,000 October 2016November 20261,119 1,110 
3.625% Senior Notes (1)1,524 1,588 May 2017May 20271,748 1,776 
4.875% Senior Notes1,600 1,600 October 2017April 20281,812 1,807 
5.875% Senior Notes1,900 1,900 April 2018November 20282,302 2,280 
4.625% Senior Notes (1)1,290 1,344 October 2018May 20291,605 1,630 
6.375% Senior Notes800 800 October 2018May 2029997 995 
3.875% Senior Notes (1)1,407 1,466 April 2019November 20291,680 1,700 
5.375% Senior Notes900 900 April 2019November 20291,065 1,061 
3.625% Senior Notes (1)1,290 1,344 October 2019June 20301,513 1,533 
4.875% Senior Notes1,000 1,000 October 2019June 20301,152 1,155 
$15,662 $16,416 $18,222 $18,805 
(1) The following Senior Notes have a principal amount denominated in euro: 3.000% Senior Notes for €470 million, 3.625% Senior Notes for €1,300 million, 4.625% Senior Notes for €1,100 million, 3.875% Senior Notes for €1,200 million, and 3.625% Senior Notes for €1,100 million.




14

Table of Contents
In February 2021, the Company repaid upon maturity the $500 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.375% Senior Notes due February 2021.
The expected timing of principal and interest payments for thesethe Company’s outstanding Notes are as follows:

As of 
March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
(in thousands)
Less than one year$1,453,690 $1,264,020 
Due after one year and through three years1,804,714 2,136,997 
Due after three years and through five years3,161,269 3,614,906 
Due after five years14,581,110 14,841,164 
Total debt obligations$21,000,783 $21,857,087 
 As of 
 September 30,
2020
 December 31, 2019
 (in thousands)
Less than one year$1,258,639
 $736,969
Due after one year and through three years2,136,439
 2,581,471
Due after three years and through five years3,612,818
 1,705,201
Due after five years14,875,099
 15,699,800
Total debt obligations$21,882,995
 $20,723,441


Each of the Notes are repayable in whole or in part upon the occurrence of a change of control, at the option of the holders, at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal plus accrued interest. The Company may redeem the Notes prior to maturity in whole or in part at an amount equal to the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and an applicable premium. The Notes include, among other terms and conditions, limitations on the Company's ability to create, incur or allow certain liens; enter into sale and lease-back transactions; create, assume, incur or guarantee additional indebtedness of certain of the Company's subsidiaries; and consolidate or merge with, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of the Company's and its subsidiaries assets, to another person. As of September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2019,2020, the Company was in compliance with all related covenants.
Revolving Credit Facility
As of September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, the Company has a $750 million unsecured revolving credit facility ("Revolving Credit Agreement") which matures on March 29, 2024. Revolving loans may be borrowed, repaid and reborrowed until March 29, 2024, at which time all amounts borrowed must be repaid. The Company may use the proceeds of future borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement for working capital and general corporate purposes. As of September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, no amounts have been borrowed under the Revolving Credit Agreement.
The borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement bear interest, at the Company’s option, of either (i) a floating rate equal to a base rate (the “Alternate Base Rate”) or (ii) a rate equal to an adjusted London interbank offered rate (the “Adjusted LIBO Rate”), plus a margin of 0.75%. The Alternate Base Rate is defined as the greatest of (A) the rate of interest published by the Wall Street Journal, from time to time, as the prime rate, (B) the federal funds rate, plus 0.500% and (C) the Adjusted LIBO Rate for a one-month interest period, plus 1.00%. The Adjusted LIBO Rate is defined as the London interbank offered rate for deposits in U.S. dollars, for the relevant interest period, adjusted for statutory reserve requirements, but in no event shall the Adjusted LIBO Rate be less than 0.00% per annum. Regulatory authorities that oversee financial markets have announced that after the end of 2021, they would no longer compel banks currently reporting information used to set the LIBO Rate to continue to make rate submissions. As a result, it is possible that beginning in 2022, the LIBO Rate will no longer be available as a reference rate. Under the terms of the Company's Revolving Credit Agreement, in the event of the discontinuance of the LIBO Rate, a mutually agreed-upon alternate benchmark rate will be established to replace the LIBO Rate. The Company and Lenders shall in good faith establish an alternate benchmark rate which places the Lenders and the Company in the same economic position that existed immediately prior to the discontinuation of the LIBO Rate. The Company does not anticipate that the discontinuance of the LIBO Rate will materially impact its liquidity or financial position.
The Company is also obligated to pay a commitment fee on the undrawn amounts of the Revolving Credit Agreement at an annual rate of 0.10%. The Revolving Credit Agreement requires the Company to comply with certain covenants, including covenants that limit or restrict the ability of the Company’s subsidiaries to incur debt and limit or restrict the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to grant liens and enter into sale and leaseback transactions; and, in the case of the Company or a guarantor, merge, consolidate, liquidate, dissolve or sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole. As of September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2019,2020, the Company was in compliance with all related covenants.


7. Commitments and Contingencies

Content
As of September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, the Company had $19.1$20.7 billion of obligations comprised of $4.6$4.3 billion included in "Current content liabilities" and $2.9$2.5 billion of "Non-current content liabilities" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and $11.6$13.9 billion of obligations that are not reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as they did not yet meet the criteria for asset recognition.

15

Table of Contents
As of December 31, 2019,2020, the Company had $19.5$19.2 billion of obligations comprised of $4.4 billion included in "Current content liabilities" and $3.3$2.6 billion of "Non-current content liabilities" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and $11.8$12.2 billion of obligations that are not reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as they did not yet meet the criteria for asset recognition.
The expected timing of payments for these content obligations is as follows:
 As of 
 September 30,
2020
 December 31,
2019
 (in thousands)
Less than one year$8,668,296
 $8,477,367
Due after one year and through three years8,004,624
 8,352,731
Due after three years and through five years1,956,565
 2,041,340
Due after five years442,769
 618,644
Total content obligations$19,072,254
 $19,490,082

As of 
March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
(in thousands)
Less than one year$9,456,342 $8,980,868 
Due after one year and through three years8,241,022 7,819,563 
Due after three years and through five years2,259,821 1,973,091 
Due after five years767,980 445,308 
Total content obligations$20,725,165 $19,218,830 
Content obligations include amounts related to the acquisition, licensing and production of content. Obligations that are in non-U.S. dollar currencies are translated to the U.S. dollar at period end rates. An obligation for the production of content includes non-cancelable commitments under creative talent and employment agreements as well as other production related commitments. An obligation for the acquisition and licensing of content is incurred at the time the Company enters into an agreement to obtain future titles. Once a title becomes available, a content liability is recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Certain agreements include the obligation to license rights for unknown future titles, the ultimate quantity and/or fees for which are not yet determinable as of the reporting date. Traditional film output deals, or certain TV series license agreements where the number of seasons to be aired is unknown, are examples of such license agreements. The Company does not include any estimated obligation for these future titles beyond the known minimum amount. However, the unknown obligations are expected to be significant.
Legal Proceedings
From time to time, in the normal course of its operations, the Company is subject 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.
The Company is involved in litigation matters not listed herein 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. In these circumstances, payment may be conditional on the other party making a claim pursuant to the procedures specified in the particular contract.
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. NaN amount has been accrued in the accompanying consolidated financial statements with respect to these indemnification obligations.



16

Table of Contents

8. Stockholders’ Equity
Stock Option Plan

OnIn June 4, 2020, the Company's stockholders approved the 2020 Stock Plan, which was adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors onin March 4, 2020 subject to stockholder approval. The 2020 Stock Plan is the successor to the 2011 Stock Plan. The 2020 Stock Plan and provides for the grant of incentive stock options to employees and for the grant of non-statutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and restricted stock units to employees, directors and consultants. The 2020 Stock plan authorized 17,500,000 new shares to be available for award grants. As of the date the 2020 Stock Plan was adopted by the Company's Board of Directors, 5,530,106 shares were available to be granted under the 2011 Stock Plan. These shares are available for award grants under the 2020 Stock Plan.
A summary of the activities related to the Company’s stock option plans is as follows:
Options Outstanding
Shares
Available
for Grant
Number of
Shares
Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
(per share)
Balances as of December 31, 202021,702,085 18,676,810 $170.23 
Granted(400,126)400,126 537.47
Exercised— (488,471)92.45 
Expired— (4,648)30.30 
Balances as of March 31, 202121,301,959 18,583,817 $180.22 
Vested and exercisable as of March 31, 202118,583,817 $180.22 
   Options Outstanding
 Shares
Available
for Grant
 Number of
Shares
 
Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
(per share)
Balances as of December 31, 20196,111,561
 20,859,326
 $124.28
New Shares Authorized17,500,000
 
 
Granted(1,498,232) 1,498,232
 412.45
Exercised
 (2,988,359) 67.58
Expired
 (188) 13.38
Balances as of September 30, 202022,113,329
 19,369,011
 $155.32
Vested and exercisable as of September 30, 2020  19,369,011
 $155.32


The aggregate intrinsic value of the Company's outstanding stock options as of September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 was $6,684$6,357 million and represents the total pretax intrinsic value (the difference between the Company’s closing stock price on the last trading day of the thirdfirst quarter of 20202021 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 the last trading day of the thirdfirst quarter of 2020.2021. This amount changes based on the fair market value of the Company’s common stock. The weighted-average remaining contractual term of the Company's outstanding stock options as of September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 included in the table above was 5.475.46 years.
A summary of the amounts related to option exercises, is as follows:
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
 September 30,
2020
 September 30,
2019
 September 30,
2020
 September 30,
2019
 (in thousands)
Total intrinsic value of options exercised$321,859
 $119,439
 $1,067,241
 $513,213
Cash received from options exercised68,665
 11,989
 201,419
 56,857

Three Months Ended
March 31,
2021
March 31,
2020
(in thousands)
Total intrinsic value of options exercised$228,020 $303,226 
Cash received from options exercised48,071 43,694 
Stock-based Compensation
Stock options granted are exercisable for the full ten year contractual term regardless of employment status. The following table summarizes the assumptions used to value option grants using the lattice-binomial model and the valuation data:
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2021
March 31,
2020
Dividend yield%%
Expected volatility41 %37 %
Risk-free interest rate1.08 %1.71 %
Suboptimal exercise factor3.81 3.34 
Weighted-average fair value (per share)$268 $167 
Total stock-based compensation expense (in thousands)$107,230 $97,019 
Total income tax impact on provision (in thousands)$24,079 $21,309 
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
 September 30,
2020
 September 30,
2019
 September 30,
2020
 September 30,
2019
Dividend yield0% 0% 0% 0%
Expected volatility45% 38% 37% - 45%
 38% - 41%
Risk-free interest rate0.67% 1.92% 0.67% - 1.71%
 1.92% - 2.74%
Suboptimal exercise factor3.62
 3.19
 3.34 - 3.62
 3.07 - 3.19
Weighted-average fair value (per share)$264
 $154
 $205
 $165
Total stock-based compensation expense (in thousands)$106,357
 $100,262
 $307,586
 $305,310
Total income tax impact on provision (in thousands)$24,292
 $22,679
 $68,435
 $69,152


17


Table of Contents
The Company considers several factors in determining the suboptimal exercise factor, including the historical and estimated option exercise behavior.
The Company calculates expected volatility based solely on implied volatility. The Company believes that implied volatility of publicly traded options in its common stock is more reflective of market conditions, and given consistently high trade volumes of the options, can reasonably be expected to be a better indicator of expected volatility than historical volatility of its common stock.
In valuing shares issued under the Company’s employee stock option plans, the Company bases the risk-free interest rate on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with terms similar to the contractual term of the options. The Company does not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future and therefore uses an expected dividend yield of 0 in the option valuation model. The Company does not use a post-vesting termination rate as options are fully vested upon grant date.

Stock Repurchases
In March 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $5 billion of its common stock, with no expiration date. Stock repurchases may be effected through open market repurchases in compliance with Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act, including through the use of trading plans intended to qualify under Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act, privately-negotiated transactions, accelerated stock repurchase plans, block purchases, or other similar purchase techniques and in such amounts as management deems appropriate. The Company is not obligated to repurchase any specific number of shares, and the timing and actual number of shares repurchased will depend on a variety of factors, including the Company’s stock price, general economic, business and market conditions, and alternative investment opportunities. The Company may discontinue any repurchases of its common stock at any time without prior notice. As of March 31, 2021, 0 stock has been repurchased under this program.


9. Income Taxes
  Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
  September 30,
2020
 September 30,
2019
 September 30, 2020 September 30, 2019
  (in thousands, except percentages)
Provision for income taxes $71,484
 $347,079
 $473,693
 $632,952
Effective tax rate 8% 34% 18% 33%

 Three Months Ended
 March 31,
2021
March 31,
2020
 (in thousands, except percentages)
Provision for income taxes$327,787 $86,803 
Effective tax rate16 %11 %
On June 29, 2020, California enacted legislative changes that impose an annual cap of $5 million on the amount of business incentive tax credits the Company can utilize in California effective for tax years 2020 through 2022.
As of September 30, 2020, the Company had a California research and development ("R&D") credit carryforward of $239 million which can be carried forward indefinitely. In the second quarter of 2020 we evaluated the Company’s ability to realize the California R&D credit, the Company considered all available positive and negative evidence, including operating results, ongoing tax planning, and forecasts of future taxable income and determined it is more likely than not that the pre-2020 credits and a portion of the current year R&D credit would not be realized. In the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company has recorded a valuation allowance of $239 million. The Company will monitor its business strategies, weighing positive and negative evidence in assessing its realization of this asset in the future and in the event there is a need to release the valuation allowance, a tax benefit will be recorded.
The effective tax ratesrate for the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2021 differed from the Federal statutory rate primarily due to the impact of international provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and recognition of excess tax benefits of stock-based compensation. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2020 differed from the Federal statutory rate primarily due to the recognition of excess tax benefits of stock-based compensation partially offset byand the establishment of a valuation allowance on the California R&Dcredit in the second quarter of 2020. The effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 differed from the Federal statutory rate primarily due to changes from the global corporate structure simplification, state taxes, foreign taxes, non-deductible expenses, and the international provisions of U.S. tax reform that became effective in 2018, partially offset by the recognition of excess tax benefits of stock-based compensation, and Federal and California R&D credits.simplification.
The decreaseincrease in effective tax ratesrate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, as compared to the same period in 20192020 was primarily due to the United States Treasury issuance of final regulations that made certain aspects related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 no longer applicable to the Company and the recognition ofrecognizing less excess tax benefits ofrelated to stock-based compensation, partially offset by the establishment of a valuation allowance on the California R&D credit in the second quarter of 2020.compensation. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, the Company recognized a discrete tax benefit related to the excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation of $66$47 million, and $223 million, respectively, compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019March 31, 2020 of $27 million and $114 million, respectively.$65 million.
Gross unrecognized tax benefits were $85$160 million and $67$140 million as of September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2019,2020, respectively. The gross unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized by the Company, will result in a reduction of approximately $49$99 million to the provision for income taxes thereby favorably impacting the Company’s effective tax rate. As of September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, gross unrecognized tax benefits of $24$38 million were classified as “Other non-current liabilities” and $30$64 million as a reduction to deferred tax assets which was classified as "Other non-current assets" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company includes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within the "Provision for income taxes" on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and “Other non-current liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Interest and penalties included in the Company’s “Provision for income taxes” were not material in any of the periods presented.
Deferred tax assets of $429$427 million and $658$589 million were classified as “Other non-current assets” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2019,2020, respectively. In evaluating its ability to realize the net deferred tax assets, the Company considered all available positive and negative evidence, including its past operating results and the forecast of future market growth, forecasted earnings, future taxable income, and prudent and feasible tax planning strategies. The Company has a valuation allowance of $371$298 million and

$135 $250 million as of September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2019,2020, respectively. The valuation allowance is related to the California R&Dresearch and development credits and certain foreign tax creditsattributes that the Company does not expect to realize.
The Company files U.S. Federal, state and foreign tax returns. The Company is currently under examination by the IRS for 2016 through 2018 and is subject to examination for 2019. The 20112015 through 2019 state tax returns are subject to examination by various state tax authorities. The Company is also currently under examination in the U.K. for 2018 and 2019. The Company has no other significant foreign jurisdiction audits underway. The years 20142015 through 20192020 generally remain subject to examination by foreign tax authorities.
18

Table of Contents
Given the potential outcome of the current examinations, as well as the impact of the current examinations on the potential expiration of the statute of limitations, it is reasonably possible that the balance of unrecognized tax benefits could significantly change within the next twelve months. At this time, an estimate of the range of reasonably possible adjustments to the balance of unrecognized tax benefits cannot be made.


10. Segment and Geographic Information

The Company operates as 1 operating segment. The Company's chief operating decision maker ("CODM") is its co-chief executive officers, who review financial information presented on a consolidated basis for the purposes of making operating decisions, assessing financial performance and allocating resources.
On July 13, 2020, Ted Sarandos was appointed as co-Chief Executive Officer of the Company and serves as Chief Content Officer and co-Chief Executive Officer with Reed Hastings, the Company’s co-Chief Executive Officer, President, and Chairman of the Board. The Company determined that both Mr. Sarandos and Mr. Hastings are its CODM and that there have been no changes to the Company's one operating segment as the Company's financial results continue to be evaluated on a consolidated basis by its CODM.
Total U.S. revenues were $2.8$3.0 billion and $8.0$2.5 billion respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020, and $2.5 billion and $7.0 billion, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019.respectively. See Note 2 Revenue Recognition for additional information about streaming revenue by region.
The Company's long-lived tangible assets, as well as the Company's operating lease right-of-use assets recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2019,2020, were located as follows:
As of
March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
(in thousands)
United States$2,269,444 $2,224,891 
International753,704 773,018 
 As of
 September 30,
2020
 December 31, 2019
 (in thousands)
United States$2,111,158
 $1,503,459
International655,795
 594,047





Item 2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
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; content amortization;our future financial performance, including expectations regarding revenues, deferred revenue, operating income and margin, net income, expenses, and profitability; liquidity, including the sufficiency of our capital resources, adequacy of existing facilities, net cash provided by (used in) operating activities, access to financing sources, and free cash flows; capital allocation strategies, including any stock repurchases; seasonality; impact of foreign exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of the discontinuance of the LIBO Rate; future regulatory changes and their impact on our business; price changes and testing; impact of recently adopted accounting pronouncements; priceaccounting treatment for changes and testing; dividends; impact of foreign currency and exchange rate fluctuations,related to content assets; membership growth, including on net income, revenues and average revenues per paying member; deferred revenue; investments in global content, including original content; impact of content and pricing changes on membership growth; the impact of the discontinuance of the LIBO Rate; liquidity, including cash flows from operations, available funds and access to financing sources; net cash provided by (used in) operating activities and free cash flow; unrecognized tax benefits; deferred tax assets; accessing and obtaining additional capital, including use of the debt market; accounting treatment for changes related to content assets; net income;partnerships; member viewing patterns; dividends; future contractual obligations, including unknown content obligations and timing of payments; membership growth for the remainder of the fiscal year;our global content and marketing investments, including investments in original programming; content amortization; tax expense; unrecognized tax benefits; deferred tax assets; our ability to effectively manage change and growth; and the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and our response to it. 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, 20192020 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on January 29, 2020,28, 2021, in particular the risk factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item IA, as updated in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020.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.

Investors and others should note that we announce material financial information to our investors using our investor relations website (netflixinvestor.com)(ir.netflix.net), SEC filings, press releases, public conference calls and webcasts. We use these channels, as well as social media and blogs to communicate with our members and the public about our company, our services and other issues. It is possible that the information we post on social media and blogs could be deemed to be material information. Therefore, we encourage investors, the media, and others interested in our company to review the information we post on the United States ("U.S.") social media channels and blogs listed on our investor relations website.



Overview
We are one of the world’s leading subscription streaming entertainment serviceservices with over 195approximately 208 million paid streaming memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, documentaries and feature films across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on any internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials. Additionally, we continue to offer our legacy DVD-by-mail service in the United States.States (“U.S.”).
19

Table of Contents
We are a pioneer in the delivery of streaming entertainment, launching our streaming service in 2007. Since this launch, we have developed an ecosystem for internet-connected screens and have added increasing amounts of content that enable consumers to enjoy entertainment directly on their internet-connected screens. As a result of these efforts, we have experienced growing consumer acceptance of, and interest in, the delivery of streaming entertainment.
Our core strategy is to grow our streaming membership business globally within the parameters of our operating margin target. We are continuously improving our members'members’ experience by expanding our content with a focus on a programming mix of content that delights our members and attracts new members. In addition, we are continuously enhancing our user interface and extending our streaming service to more internet-connected screens. Our members can download a selection of titles for offline viewing.
Our membership growth exhibits a seasonal pattern that reflects variations when consumers buy internet-connected screens and when they tend to increase their viewing. Historically, the first and fourth quarters (October through March) represent our greatest streaming membership growth. In addition, our membership growth can be impacted by our content release schedule and changes to pricing.


Results of Operations

The following represents our consolidated performance highlights:
As of/ Three Months EndedChange
March 31,
2021
March 31,
2020
Q1'21 vs. Q1'20
(in thousands, except revenue per membership and percentages)
Financial Results:
Streaming revenues$7,113,707 $5,703,363 $1,410,344 25 %
DVD revenues49,575 64,328 (14,753)(23)%
Total revenues$7,163,282 $5,767,691 $1,395,591 24 %
Operating income$1,959,856 $958,256 $1,001,600 105 %
Operating margin27.4 %16.6 %10.8 %65 %
Global Streaming Memberships:
Paid net membership additions3,976 15,766 (11,790)(75)%
Paid memberships at end of period207,639 182,856 24,783 14 %
Average paying memberships205,651 174,973 30,678 18 %
Average monthly revenue per paying membership$11.53 $10.87 $0.66 %
 As of/ Three Months Ended Change
 September 30,
2020
 September 30,
2019
 Q3'20 vs. Q3'19
 (in thousands, except revenue per membership and percentages)
Global Streaming Memberships:       
Paid net membership additions2,204
 6,772
 (4,568) (67)%
Paid memberships at end of period195,151
 158,334
 36,817
 23 %
Average paying memberships194,049
 154,948
 39,101
 25 %
Average monthly revenue per paying membership$10.95
 $11.13
 $(0.18) (2)%
        
Financial Results:       
Streaming revenues$6,376,803
 $5,173,028
 $1,203,775
 23 %
DVD revenues58,834
 71,877
 (13,043) (18)%
Total revenues$6,435,637
 $5,244,905
 $1,190,732
 23 %
        
Operating income$1,314,863
 $980,239
 $334,624
 34 %
Operating margin20.4% 18.7% 1.7% 9 %


Consolidated revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2021 increased 24% as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2020. The increase in our consolidated revenues was due to the 18% growth in average paying memberships and a 6% increase in average monthly revenue per paying membership. The increase in average monthly revenue per paying membership was primarily due to price changes and favorable fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. Paid net membership additions for the three months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 decreased 67%75% as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2019,March 31, 2020. We believe the decrease in large extent duepaid net membership additions can primarily be attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic which contributed to significant paid net membership additions in the first halfquarter of 2020, and resulted in less growth in the thirdfirst quarter of 20202021 as compared to the prior year. While we are unable to accurately predict the impact of the pandemic on paid net membership additions, in subsequent quarters, we expect less growth forslower paid net membership additions in the remainderfirst half of 2020 as2021 compared to the prior year.

Consolidated revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2020 increased 23% as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2019. The increasecomparable periods in our consolidated revenues was due to the 25% growth in average paying memberships. The growth in paid memberships was partially offset by a 2% decrease in the average monthly revenue per paying membership due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to certain foreign currencies.2020.
The increase in operating margin is primarily due to increased revenues and decreased marketing costs, coupled with technology and development, and general and administrative costscontent amortization growing at a slower rate as compared to the 23%24% increase in revenues. The increaserevenues as a result of delays in operating margin was partially offset by increased content expenses as we continue to acquire, license and produce content, including expenses relatedreleases due to the COVID-19 pandemicpandemic. Marketing, technology and development, and general and administrative expenses relatedalso grew at a slower rate as compared to overall deals.the growth in revenue.
The full extent of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, operations and financial results will depend on numerous evolving factors that we may not be able to accurately predict. See Part I, Item 1A: "Risk Factors"“Risk Factors” in our QuarterlyAnnual Report on Form 10-Q10-K for the quarteryear ended MarchDecember 31, 2020 for additional details. In an effort to protect the health and safety of our employees, our workforce has had and continues in most instances to spend a significant amount of time working from home, international travel has been severely curtailed, and manywhile most of our productions remain paused orhave resumed, certain of our productions continue to experience disruption, as aredo the productions of our third-party content suppliers. Our other partners have similarly had their operations disrupted, including those partners that we use for our operations as well as development, production, and post-production of content. While weAs a result, the pandemic has and our partners have resumed productions and related operations in many parts of the world,continues to affect our ability to produce content, remains affected by the pandemic. In an effort
20

Table of Contents
which in turn led to delays in certain content releases. Many government measures to contain COVID-19 or slow its spread, governments around the world have also enacted various measures, some of which have been subsequently rescinded, modified or reinstated, including orders to close all businesses not deemed “essential,” isolate residents to their homes or places of residence, and practice social distancing.distancing, continue to remain in effect or may be rescinded, modified, or reinstated. We anticipate that these actions and the global health crisis caused by COVID-19, including any resurgences, will continue to negatively impact business activity across the globe. While we have observed demand increases for our streaming entertainment service in the first half of 2020, we experienced less growth in the third quarter of 2020 and we cannot estimate the impact COVID-19 will have in the future as business and consumer activity decelerates across the globe. We will continue to actively monitor the situation and may take further actions that alter our business operations as may be required by federal, state, local or foreign authorities, or that we determine are in the best interests of our employees, customers, partners and stockholders.  It is not clear what the potential effects any such alterations or modifications may have on our business, including the effects on our customers, suppliers or vendors, or on our financial results.

Streaming Revenues
We derive revenues from monthly membership fees for services related to streaming content to our members. We offer a variety of streaming membership plans, the price of which varies by country and the features of the plan. As of September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, pricing on our plans ranged from the U.S. dollar equivalent of $3 to $24 per month. We expect that from time to time the prices of our membership plans in each country may change and we may test other plan and price variations.
The following tables summarize streaming revenue and other streaming membership information by region for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2019.March 31, 2020.

United States and Canada (UCAN)
Three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2019
 As of/ Three Months Ended ChangeAs of/ Three Months EndedChange
 September 30, 2020 September 30, 2019 Q3'20 vs. Q3'19 March 31, 2021March 31, 2020Q1'21 vs. Q1'20
 (in thousands, except revenue per membership and percentages) (in thousands, except revenue per membership and percentages)
Revenues $2,933,445
 $2,621,250
 $312,195
 12 %Revenues$3,170,972 $2,702,776 $468,196 17 %
Paid net membership additions 177
 613
 (436) (71)%Paid net membership additions448 2,307 (1,859)(81)%
Paid memberships at end of period 73,081
 67,114
 5,967
 9 %Paid memberships at end of period74,384 69,969 4,415 %
Average paying memberships 72,993
 66,808
 6,185
 9 %Average paying memberships74,160 68,816 5,344 %
Average monthly revenue per paying membership $13.40
 $13.08
 $0.32
 2 %Average monthly revenue per paying membership$14.25 $13.09 $1.16 %
Constant currency change (1)       3 %Constant currency change (1)%
Nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019
  As of/ Nine Months Ended Change
  September 30, 2020 September 30, 2019 YTD'20 vs. YTD'19
  (in thousands, except revenue per membership and percentages)
Revenues $8,475,891
 $7,379,300
 $1,096,591
 15%
Paid net membership additions 5,419
 2,357
 3,062
 130%
Paid memberships at end of period 73,081
 67,114
 5,967
 9%
Average paying memberships 71,082
 66,357
 4,725
 7%
Average monthly revenue per paying membership $13.25
 $12.36
 $0.89
 7%
Constant currency change (1)       7%


Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA)
Three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2019
As of/ Three Months EndedChange
 March 31, 2021March 31, 2020Q1'21 vs. Q1'20
 (in thousands, except revenue per membership and percentages)
Revenues$2,343,674 $1,723,474 $620,200 36 %
Paid net membership additions1,810 6,956 (5,146)(74)%
Paid memberships at end of period68,508 58,734 9,774 17 %
Average paying memberships67,603 55,256 12,347 22 %
Average monthly revenue per paying membership$11.56 $10.40 $1.16 11 %
Constant currency change (1)%
21

  As of/ Three Months Ended Change
  September 30, 2020 September 30, 2019 Q3'20 vs. Q3'19
  (in thousands, except revenue per membership and percentages)
Revenues $2,019,083
 $1,428,040
 $591,043
 41 %
Paid net membership additions 759
 3,126
 (2,367) (76)%
Paid memberships at end of period 62,242
 47,355
 14,887
 31 %
Average paying memberships 61,863
 45,792
 16,071
 35 %
Average monthly revenue per paying membership $10.88
 $10.40
 $0.48
 5 %
Constant currency change (1)       3 %
Nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019Table of Contents
  As of/ Nine Months Ended Change
  September 30, 2020 September 30, 2019 YTD'20 vs. YTD'19
  (in thousands, except revenue per membership and percentages)
Revenues $5,635,094
 $3,980,506
 $1,654,588
 42%
Paid net membership additions 10,464
 9,537
 927
 10%
Paid memberships at end of period 62,242
 47,355
 14,887
 31%
Average paying memberships 59,076
 43,119
 15,957
 37%
Average monthly revenue per paying membership $10.60
 $10.26
 $0.34
 3%
Constant currency change (1)       5%

Latin America (LATAM)

As of/ Three Months EndedChange
 March 31, 2021March 31, 2020Q1'21 vs. Q1'20
 (in thousands, except revenue per membership and percentages)
Revenues$836,647 $793,453 $43,194 %
Paid net membership additions357 2,901 (2,544)(88)%
Paid memberships at end of period37,894 34,318 3,576 10 %
Average paying memberships37,716 32,868 4,848 15 %
Average monthly revenue per paying membership$7.39 $8.05 $(0.66)(8)%
Constant currency change (1)%
Three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2019
  As of/ Three Months Ended Change
  September 30, 2020 September 30, 2019 Q3'20 vs. Q3'19
  (in thousands, except revenue per membership and percentages)
Revenues $789,384
 $741,434
 $47,950
 6 %
Paid net membership additions 256
 1,490
 (1,234) (83)%
Paid memberships at end of period 36,324
 29,380
 6,944
 24 %
Average paying memberships 36,196
 28,635
 7,561
 26 %
Average monthly revenue per paying membership $7.27
 $8.63
 $(1.36) (16)%
Constant currency change (1)       5 %
Nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019
  As of/ Nine Months Ended Change
  September 30, 2020 September 30, 2019 YTD'20 vs. YTD'19
  (in thousands, except revenue per membership and percentages)
Revenues $2,368,205
 $2,049,042
 $319,163
 16 %
Paid net membership additions 4,907
 3,303
 1,604
 49 %
Paid memberships at end of period 36,324
 29,380
 6,944
 24 %
Average paying memberships 34,752
 27,722
 7,030
 25 %
Average monthly revenue per paying membership $7.57
 $8.21
 $(0.64) (8)%
Constant currency change (1)       10 %

Asia-Pacific (APAC)
Three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2019
 As of/ Three Months Ended ChangeAs of/ Three Months EndedChange
 September 30, 2020 September 30, 2019 Q3'20 vs. Q3'19 March 31, 2021March 31, 2020Q1'21 vs. Q1'20
 (in thousands, except revenue per membership and percentages) (in thousands, except revenue per membership and percentages)
Revenues $634,891
 $382,304
 $252,587
 66 %Revenues$762,414 $483,660 $278,754 58 %
Paid net membership additions 1,012
 1,543
 (531) (34)%Paid net membership additions1,361 3,602 (2,241)(62)%
Paid memberships at end of period 23,504
 14,485
 9,019
 62 %Paid memberships at end of period26,853 19,835 7,018 35 %
Average paying memberships 22,998
 13,714
 9,284
 68 %Average paying memberships26,173 18,034 8,139 45 %
Average monthly revenue per paying membership $9.20
 $9.29
 $(0.09) (1)%Average monthly revenue per paying membership$9.71 $8.94 $0.77 %
Constant currency change (1)       (1)%Constant currency change (1)%
Nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019
  As of/ Nine Months Ended Change
  September 30, 2020 September 30, 2019 YTD'20 vs. YTD'19
  (in thousands, except revenue per membership and percentages)
Revenues $1,687,691
 $1,051,400
 $636,291
 61 %
Paid net membership additions 7,271
 3,878
 3,393
 87 %
Paid memberships at end of period 23,504
 14,485
 9,019
 62 %
Average paying memberships 20,732
 12,543
 8,189
 65 %
Average monthly revenue per paying membership $9.05
 $9.31
 $(0.26) (3)%
Constant currency change (1)       (1)%

(1) We believe constant currency information is useful in analyzing the underlying trends in average monthly revenue per paying membership. In order to exclude the effect of foreign currency rate fluctuations on average monthly revenue per paying membership, we estimate current period revenue assuming foreign exchange rates had remained constant with foreign exchange rates from each of the corresponding months of the prior-year period. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, our revenues would have been approximately $158$80 million and $562 million higher, respectively,lower had foreign currency exchange rates remained constant with those for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019.March 31, 2020.

Cost of Revenues
Amortization of content assets makes up the majority of cost of revenues. Expenses associated with the acquisition, licensing and production of content (such as payroll and related personnel expenses, costs associated with obtaining rights to music included in our content, overall deals with talent, miscellaneous production related costs and participations and residuals), streaming delivery costs and other operations costs make up the remainder of cost of revenues. We have built our own global content delivery network (“Open Connect”) to help us efficiently stream a high volume of content to our members over the internet. Delivery expenses, therefore, include equipment costs related to Open Connect, payroll and related personnel expenses and all third-party costs, such as cloud computing costs, associated with delivering content over the internet. Other operations costs include customer service and payment processing fees, including those we pay to our integrated payment partners, as well as other costs incurred in making our content available to members.
Three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2019
Three Months EndedChange
March 31,
2021
March 31,
2020
Q1'21 vs. Q1'20
(in thousands, except percentages)
Cost of revenues$3,868,511$3,599,701$268,810 %
As a percentage of revenues54 %62 %

22

 Three Months Ended Change
 September 30,
2020
 September 30,
2019
 Q3'20 vs. Q3'19
 (in thousands, except percentages)
Cost of revenues$3,867,751
 $3,097,919
 $769,832
 25%
As a percentage of revenues60% 59%    
Table of Contents

The increase in cost of revenues was primarily due to a $454$236 million increase in content amortization relating to our existing and new content, including more exclusive and original programming. ExpensesOther content costs increased $33 million primarily due to increases in expenses associated with the acquisition, licensing and production of content increased $277 million, including expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic and expenses related to overall deals. Streamingstreaming delivery costs and other operations costs increasedpayment processing fees driven by our growing member base.

Nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019
 Nine Months Ended Change
 September 30,
2020
 September 30,
2019
 YTD'20 vs. YTD'19
 (in thousands, except percentages)
Cost of revenues$11,111,159
 $8,974,190
 $2,136,969
 24%
As a percentage of revenues61% 61%    

The increase in cost of revenues was primarily due to a $1,188 million increase in content amortization relating to our existing and new content, including more exclusive and original programming. Expenses associated with the acquisition, licensing and production of content increased $830 million, including expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic and expenses related to overall deals. Streaming delivery costs and other operations costs increased driven by our growing member base.

Marketing
Marketing expenses consist primarily of advertising expenses and certain payments made to our marketing partners, including consumer electronics ("CE"(“CE”) manufacturers, multichannel video programming distributors ("MVPDs"(“MVPDs”), mobile operators and internet service providers ("ISPs"(“ISPs”). Advertising expenses include promotional activities such as digital and television advertising. Marketing expenses also include payroll and related expenses for personnel that support marketing activities.

Three Months EndedChange
March 31,
2021
March 31,
2020
Q1'21 vs. Q1'20
(in thousands, except percentages)
Marketing$512,512 $503,830 $8,682 %
As a percentage of revenues%%
Three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2019
 Three Months Ended Change
 September 30,
2020
 September 30,
2019
 Q3'20 vs. Q3'19
 (in thousands, except percentages)
Marketing$527,597
 $553,797
 $(26,200) (5)%
As a percentage of revenues8% 11%    

The decreaseincrease in marketing expenses was primarily due to a $25$11 million decreaseincrease in personnel-related costs, primarily due to growth in average headcount to support the increase in our production activity and continued improvements in our streaming service, partially offset by decreased advertising expenses.

Nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019
 Nine Months Ended Change
 September 30,
2020
 September 30,
2019
 YTD'20 vs. YTD'19
 (in thousands, except percentages)
Marketing$1,465,797
 $1,773,525
 $(307,728) (17)%
As a percentage of revenues8% 12%    
The decrease in marketing expenses was primarily due to a $327 million decrease in advertising expenses, partially offset by increased payments to our marketing partners.

Technology and Development
Technology and development expenses consist of payroll and related expenses for all technology personnel, as well as other costs incurred in making improvements to our service offerings, including testing, maintaining and modifying our user interface, our recommendation,recommendations, merchandising and streaming delivery technology and infrastructure. Technology and development expenses also include costs associated with computer hardware and software.
 
Three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2019
Three Months EndedChange
March 31,
2021
March 31,
2020
Q1'21 vs. Q1'20
(in thousands, except percentages)
Technology and development$525,207 $453,817 $71,390 16 %
As a percentage of revenues%%
 Three Months Ended Change
 September 30,
2020
 September 30,
2019
 Q3'20 vs. Q3'19
 (in thousands, except percentages)
Technology and development$453,802
 $379,776
 $74,026
 19%
As a percentage of revenues7% 7%    

The increase in technology and development expenses was primarily due to a $67$61 million increase in personnel-related costs, including increases in compensation for existing employees andprimarily due to growth in average headcount to support the increase in our production activity and continued improvements in our streaming service.

Nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019
 Nine Months Ended Change
 September 30,
2020
 September 30,
2019
 YTD'20 vs. YTD'19
 (in thousands, except percentages)
Technology and development$1,342,664
 $1,135,773
 $206,891
 18%
As a percentage of revenues7% 8%    


The increase in technology and development expenses was primarily due to a $188 million increase in personnel-related costs, including increases in compensation for existing employees and growth in average headcount to support the increase in our production activity and continued improvements in our streaming service.

General and Administrative
General and administrative expenses consist of payroll and related expenses for corporate personnel. General and administrative expenses also include professional fees and other general corporate expenses.

Three Months EndedChange
March 31,
2021
March 31,
2020
Q1'21 vs. Q1'20
(in thousands, except percentages)
General and administrative$297,196 $252,087 $45,109 18 %
As a percentage of revenues%%
Three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2019
23

Table of Contents
 Three Months Ended Change
 September 30,
2020
 September 30,
2019
 Q3'20 vs. Q3'19
 (in thousands, except percentages)
General and administrative$271,624
 $233,174
 $38,450
 16%
As a percentage of revenues4% 4%    
GeneralThe increase in general and administrative expenses increasedwas primarily due to a $32$24 million increase in third-party expenses, including costs for contractors and consultants. In addition, personnel-related costs including increases in compensation for existing employees andincreased by $19 million, primarily due to growth in average headcount to support the increase in our production activity and continued improvements in our streaming service.

Nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019
 Nine Months Ended Change
 September 30,
2020
 September 30,
2019
 YTD'20 vs. YTD'19
 (in thousands, except percentages)
General and administrative$800,947
 $659,783
 $141,164
 21%
As a percentage of revenues4% 4%    
General and administrative expenses increased primarily due to a $118 million increase in personnel-related costs, including increases in compensation for existing employees and growth in average headcount to support the increase in our production activity and continued improvements in our streaming service.


Interest Expense
Interest expense consists primarily of the interest associated with our outstanding debt obligations, including the amortization of debt issuance costs. See Note 6 Debt in the accompanying notes to our consolidated financial statements for further detail on our debt obligations.

Three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2019
 Three Months EndedChange
 March 31,
2021
March 31,
2020
Q1'21 vs. Q1'20
 (in thousands, except percentages)
Interest expense$194,440 $184,083 $10,357 %
As a percentage of revenues%%
  Three Months Ended Change
  September 30,
2020
 September 30,
2019
 Q3'20 vs. Q3'19
  (in thousands, except percentages)
Interest expense $197,079
 $160,660
 $36,419
 23%
As a percentage of revenues 3% 3%    

Nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019
  Nine Months Ended Change
  September 30,
2020
 September 30,
2019
 YTD'20 vs. YTD'19
  (in thousands, except percentages)
Interest expense $570,313
 $448,222
 $122,091
 27%
As a percentage of revenues 3% 3%    

Interest expense primarily consists of interest on our Notes of $191 million and $556$190 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively.March 31, 2021. The increase in interest expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019March 31, 2020 was due to the increase in debt.

Interest and Other Income (Expense)
Interest and other income (expense) consists primarily of foreign exchange gains and losses on foreign currency denominated balances and interest earned on cash and cash equivalents.

 Three Months EndedChange
 March 31,
2021
March 31,
2020
Q1'21 vs. Q1'20
 (in thousands, except percentages)
Interest and other income$269,086 $21,697 $247,389 1,140 %
As a percentage of revenues%— %
Three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2019

  Three Months Ended Change
  September 30,
2020
 September 30,
2019
 Q3'20 vs. Q3'19
  (in thousands, except percentages)
Interest and other income (expense) $(256,324) $192,744
 $(449,068) (233)%
As a percentage of revenues (4)% 4%    

Nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019
  Nine Months Ended Change
  September 30,
2020
 September 30,
2019
 YTD'20 vs. YTD'19
  (in thousands, except percentages)
Interest and other income (expense) $(367,802) $215,378
 $(583,180) (271)%
As a percentage of revenues (2)% 1%    

Interest and other income (expense) decreasedincreased in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 primarily due to foreign exchange lossesgains of $258 million, and $397 million, respectively, compared to gains of $170$9 million and $161 million, respectively, for the corresponding periodsperiod in 2019.2020. In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, the foreign exchange lossesgains were primarily driven by the losses of $249$253 million and $275 million, respectively,non-cash gain from the remeasurement of our €5,170 million Senior Notes, coupled with the remeasurement of

cash and content liability positions in currencies other than the functional currencies. In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019,March 31, 2020, the foreign exchange gains were primarily driven by the gains of $171$93 million and $168 million, respectively,non-cash gain from the remeasurement of our €3,600€4,700 million Senior Notes, partially offset by the remeasurement of cash and content liability positions in currencies other than the functional currencies.







24

Table of Contents
Provision for Income Taxes
  Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
  September 30,
2020
 September 30,
2019
 September 30, 2020 September 30, 2019
  (in thousands, except percentages)
Provision for income taxes $71,484
 $347,079
 $473,693
 $632,952
Effective tax rate 8% 34% 18% 33%
On June 29, 2020, California enacted legislative changes that impose an annual cap of $5 million on the amount of business incentive tax credits we can utilize in California effective for tax years 2020 through 2022.
As of September 30, 2020, we had a California research and development ("R&D") credit carryforward of $239 million which can be carried forward indefinitely. In the second quarter of 2020 we evaluated our ability to realize the California R&D credit, and considered all available positive and negative evidence, including operating results, ongoing tax planning, and forecasts of future taxable income and determined it is more likely than not that the pre-2020 credits and a portion of the current year R&D credit would not be realized. In the nine months ended September 30, 2020, we recorded a valuation allowance of $239 million. We will monitor our business strategies, weighing positive and negative evidence in assessing the realization of this asset in the future and in the event there is a need to release the valuation allowance, a tax benefit will be recorded.
 Three Months EndedChange
 March 31,
2021
March 31,
2020
Q1'21 vs. Q1'20
 (in thousands, except percentages)
Provision for income taxes$327,787 $86,803 $240,984 278 %
Effective tax rate16 %11 %

The effective tax ratesrate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 differed from the Federal statutory rate primarily due to the impact of international provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and recognition of excess tax benefits of stock-based compensation, partially offset by the establishment of a valuation allowance on the California R&Dcredit in the second quarter of 2020.compensation.
The decreaseincrease in our effective tax ratesrate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, as compared to the same period in 20192020 was primarily due to the United States Treasury issuance of final regulations that made certain aspects related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 no longer applicable to the Company and the recognition ofrecognizing less excess tax benefits ofrelated to stock-based compensation, partially offset by the establishment of a valuation allowance on the California R&D credit in the second quarter of 2020.compensation.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
As ofChange
March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
March 31, 2021 vs. December 31, 2020
(in thousands, except percentages)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash$8,436,453 $8,238,870 $197,583 %
Short-term and long-term debt15,559,340 16,308,973 (749,633)(5)%
 As of
 September 30,
2020
 December 31,
2019
 (in thousands)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash$8,422,280
 $5,043,786
Short-term and long-term debt16,047,133
 14,759,260

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash increased $3,378$198 million in the ninethree months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 primarily due to cash provided by operations, coupled withpartially offset by the issuancerepayment of debt.
Debt, net of debt issuance costs, increased $1,288decreased $750 million primarily due to the issuancerepayment upon maturity of debtthe $500 million aggregate principal amount of our 5.375% Senior Notes in April 2020February 2021, coupled with the remeasurement of our euro-denominated notes. The amount of principal and interest on our outstanding notes due in the next twelve months is $1,259$1,454 million. As of September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, no amounts had been borrowed under the $750 million Revolving Credit Agreement. See Note 6 Debt in the accompanying notes to our consolidated financial statements.
We anticipate continuing to financethat our future capital needs if any, infrom the debt market.market will be more limited compared to prior years. Our ability to obtain this or any additional financing that we may choose to, or need to, obtain will depend on, among other things, our development efforts, business plans, operating performance 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 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.

In March 2021, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $5 billion of our common stock, with no expiration date. Stock repurchases may be effected through open market repurchases in compliance with Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act, including through the use of trading plans intended to qualify under Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act, privately-negotiated transactions, accelerated stock repurchase plans, block purchases, or other similar purchase techniques and in such amounts as management deems appropriate. We are not obligated to repurchase any specific number of shares, and the timing and actual number of shares repurchased will depend on a variety of factors, including our stock price, general economic, business and market conditions, and alternative investment opportunities. We may discontinue any repurchases of our common stock at any time without prior notice. As of March 31, 2021, no stock has been repurchased under this program.
Our primary uses of cash include the acquisition, licensing and production of content, streaming delivery, marketing programs and personnel-related costs. Cash payment terms for non-original content have historically been in line with the amortization period. Investments in original content, and in particular content that we produce and own, require more cash upfront relative to licensed content. For example, production costs are paid as the content is created, well in advance of when the content is available on the service and amortized. We expect to continue to significantly increase our investments in global content, particularly in original content, which will impact our liquidity and result in future net cash used in operating activities and negative free cash flow.liquidity. We currently anticipate that cash flows from operations, available funds and access to financing sources, including our revolving credit facility, will continue to be sufficient to meet our cash needs for at least the next twelve months.

25

Table of Contents
Free Cash Flow
We define free cash flow as cash provided by (used in) operating activities less purchases of property and investing activities.equipment and change in other assets. 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 strategic acquisitions and investments and for certain other activities or the amount of cash used in operations, including investments in global content.like stock repurchases. 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, net cash flow provided by (used in) operating activities, or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP.
In assessing liquidity in relation to our results of operations, we compare free cash flow to net income, noting that the three major recurring differences are excess content payments over amortization, non-cash stock-based compensation expense, non-cash remeasurement gain/loss on our euro-denominated debt, and other working capital differences. Working capital differences include deferred revenue, excess property and equipment purchases over depreciation, taxes and semi-annual interest payments on our outstanding debt. Membership fees due are generally collected quickly.
 
Three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2019

Three Months EndedChange
March 31,
2021
March 31,
2020
Q1'21 vs. Q1'20
(in thousands, except percentages)
Net cash provided by operating activities$777,266 $259,912 $517,354 199 %
Net cash used in investing activities(85,616)(98,303)(12,687)(13)%
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities(451,929)43,694 (495,623)(1,134)%
Non-GAAP reconciliation of free cash flow:
Net cash provided by operating activities777,266 259,912 517,354 199 %
Purchases of property and equipment(81,001)(98,015)(17,014)(17)%
Change in other assets(4,615)(288)(4,327)(1,502)%
Free cash flow$691,650 $161,609 $530,041 328 %

 Three Months Ended
 September 30,
2020
 September 30,
2019
 (in thousands)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities$1,263,761
 $(501,794)
Net cash used in investing activities(118,651) (49,354)
Net cash provided by financing activities68,665
 11,989
    
Non-GAAP reconciliation of free cash flow:   
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities1,263,761
 (501,794)
Net cash used in investing activities(118,651) (49,354)
Free cash flow$1,145,110
 $(551,148)

While we and our partners have resumed productions and related operations in many parts of the world, our ability to produce content remains affected by the pandemic. As a result, the timing of certain production payments has been and will continue to be delayed until productions can resume and may be shifted to future years. Net cash provided by operating activities increased $1,766$517 million to $1,264$777 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020.March 31, 2021. The increase in cash provided by operating activities was primarily driven by a $1,191$1,396 million or 23%24% increase in revenues, coupled with a decreasepartially offset by an increase in investments in content that require more upfront cash payments for content assets.payments. The payments for content assets decreased $710increased $515 million, from $3,744$3,035 million to $3,033$3,551 million, or 19%17%, as compared to the increase in the amortization of content assets of $454$236 million, from $2,280$2,483 million to $2,734$2,719 million, or 20%9%. In addition, we had increased payments associated with higher operating expenses, primarily related to increased headcount to support our continued improvements in our streaming service and our international expansion.
Net cash used in investing activities increased $69decreased $13 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, primarily due to the increasea decrease in purchases of property and equipment.
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities increased $57decreased $496 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, primarily due to an increase in the proceeds from the issuancerepayment of common stock.debt.
Free cash flow was $355 million higher than net income for the three months ended September 30, 2020 primarily due to $300 million favorable working capital differences, $249 million of non-cash remeasurement loss on our euro-denominated debt and $106 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expense, partially offset by $300 million of cash payments for content assets over amortization expense.
Free cash flow was $1,216$1,015 million lower than net income for the three months ended September 30, 2019,March 31, 2021 primarily due to $1,464$831 million of cash payments for content assets over amortization expense, $253 million of non-cash remeasurement gain on our euro-denominated debt, and $38 million in other non-favorable working capital differences, partially offset by $148 million favorable working capital differences and $100$107 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expense.

Nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019

 Nine Months Ended
 September 30,
2020
 September 30,
2019
 (in thousands)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities$2,564,749
 $(1,425,347)
Net cash used in investing activities(358,955) (179,493)
Net cash provided by financing activities1,203,324
 2,281,861
    
Non-GAAP reconciliation of free cash flow:   
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities2,564,749
 (1,425,347)
Net cash used in investing activities(358,955) (179,493)
Free cash flow$2,205,794
 $(1,604,840)
While we and our partners have resumed productions and related operations in many parts of the world, our ability to produce content remains affected by the pandemic. As a result, the timing of certain production payments has been and will continue to be delayed until productions can resume and may be shifted to future years. Net cash provided by operating activities increased $3,990 million to $2,565 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The increase in cash provided by operating activities was primarily driven by a $3,663 million or 25% increase in revenues coupled with a decrease in cash payments for content assets. The payments for content assets decreased $1,406 million, from $10,094 million to $8,688 million, or 14% as compared to the increase in the amortization of content assets of $1,188 million, from $6,637 million to $7,824 million, or 18%. In addition, we had increased payments associated with higher operating expenses, primarily related to increased headcount to support our continued improvements in our streaming service and our international expansion.
Net cash used in investing activities increased $179 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, primarily due to the increase in purchases of property and equipment.
Net cash provided by financing activities decreased $1,079 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2020, due to a decrease in proceeds from the issuance of debt from $2,225 million, net of $18 million issuance costs in the nine months ended September 30, 2019, to $1,002 million, net of $8 million issuance costs in the nine months ended September 30, 2020.
Free cash flow was $13$547 million lower than net income for the ninethree months ended September 30,March 31, 2020, primarily due to $864$552 million of cash payments for content assets over amortization expense partially offset by $275and $93 million of non-cash remeasurement lossgain on our euro-denominated debt, $239partially offset by $97 million non-cash valuation allowance for deferred taxes due to recent legislation which imposed an annual cap on research and development credits, $308 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expensesexpense and $29$1 million in favorable other working capital differences.
Free cash flow was $2,885 million lower than net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, primarily due to $3,457 million
26

Table of cash payments for content assets over amortization expense, partially offset by $267 million favorable other working capital differences and $305 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expenses.Contents

Contractual Obligations

For the purpose 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 the payment of the obligations discussed below is estimated based on information available to us as of September 30, 2020.March 31, 2021. 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 as of September 30, 2020:March 31, 2021:

Payments due by Period
Contractual obligations (in thousands):TotalLess than
1 year
1-3 years3-5 yearsMore than
5 years
Content obligations (1)$20,725,165 $9,456,342 $8,241,022 $2,259,821 $767,980 
Debt (2)21,000,783 1,453,690 1,804,714 3,161,269 14,581,110 
Operating lease obligations (3)2,825,470 357,900 655,591 576,630 1,235,349 
Other purchase obligations (4)1,067,747 679,340 383,349 5,058 — 
Total$45,619,165 $11,947,272 $11,084,676 $6,002,778 $16,584,439 
 Payments due by Period
Contractual obligations (in thousands):Total Less than
1 year
 1-3 years 3-5 years More than
5 years
Content obligations (1)$19,072,254
 $8,668,296
 $8,004,624
 $1,956,565
 $442,769
Debt (2)21,882,995
 1,258,639
 2,136,439
 3,612,818
 14,875,099
Operating lease obligations (3)2,801,946
 332,028
 629,071
 567,453
 1,273,394
Other purchase obligations (4)1,020,860
 762,225
 248,487
 10,148
 
Total$44,778,055

$11,021,188
 $11,018,621
 $6,146,984
 $16,591,262


(1)As of March 31, 2021, content obligations were comprised of $4.3 billion included in “Current content liabilities” and $2.5 billion of “Non-current content liabilities” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and $13.9 billion of obligations that are not reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as they did not then meet the criteria for recognition.
(1)As of September 30, 2020, content obligations were comprised of $4.6 billion included in "Current content liabilities" and $2.9 billion of "Non-current content liabilities" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and $11.6 billion of obligations that are not reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as they did not then meet the criteria for recognition.
Content obligations include amounts related to the acquisition, licensing and production of content. An obligation for the production of content includes non-cancelable commitments under creative talent and employment agreements and other production related commitments. An obligation for the acquisition and licensing of content is incurred at the time we enter into an agreement to obtain future titles. Once a title becomes available, a content liability is recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Certain agreements include the obligation to license rights for unknown future titles, the ultimate quantity and/or fees for which are not yet determinable as of the reporting date. Traditional film output deals, or certain TV series license agreements where the number of seasons to be aired is unknown, are examples of these types of agreements. The contractual obligations table above does not include any estimated obligation for the unknown future titles, payment for which could range from less than one year to more than five years. However, these unknown obligations are expected to be significant and we believe could include approximately $1 billion to $4 billion over the next three years, with the payments for the vast majority of such amounts expected to occur after the next twelve months. The foregoing range is based on considerable management judgments and the actual amounts may differ. Once we know the title that we will receive and the license fees, we include the amount in the contractual obligations table above.

(2)Debt obligations include our Notes consisting of principal and interest payments. See Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements for further details.
(2)Debt obligations include our Notes consisting of principal and interest payments. See Note 6 Debt to the consolidated financial statements for further details.

(3)See Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements for further details regarding leases.
(3)Operating lease obligations are comprised of operating lease liabilities included in "Accrued expenses and other liabilities" and "Other non-current liabilities" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, inclusive of imputed interest. Operating lease obligations also include additional obligations that are not reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as they did not meet the criteria for recognition. See Note 5 Balance Sheet Components in the accompanying notes to our consolidated financial statements for further details regarding leases.

(4)Other purchase obligations include all other non-cancelable contractual obligations. These contracts are primarily related to streaming delivery and cloud computing costs, as well as other miscellaneous open purchase orders for which we have not received the related services or goods.
(4)Other purchase obligations include all other non-cancelable contractual obligations. These contracts are primarily related to streaming delivery and cloud computing costs, as well as other miscellaneous open purchase orders for which we have not received the related services or goods.

As of September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, we had gross unrecognized tax benefits of $85 million, of which $24 million was classified in “Other non-current liabilities” and $30 million as a reduction to deferred tax assets which was classified as "Other non-current assets" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.$160 million. At this time, an estimate of the range of reasonably possible adjustments to the balance of unrecognized tax benefits cannot be made.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have transactions with unconsolidated entities, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, whereby we have financial guarantees, subordinated retained interests, derivative instruments, or other contingent arrangements that expose us to material continuing risks, contingent liabilities, or any other obligation under a variable interest in an unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk, or credit risk support to us.


27


Indemnification
The information set forth under Note 7 Commitments and Contingencies 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 of America 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 consolidated 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
We acquire, license and produce content, including original programing,programming, in order to offer our members unlimited viewing of video entertainment. The content licenses are for a fixed fee and specific windows of availability. Payment terms for certain content licenses and the production of content require more upfront cash payments relative to the amortization expense. Payments for content, including additions to content assets and the changes in related liabilities, are classified within "Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities" on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
We recognize content assets (licensed and produced) as "Content assets, net" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. For licensed content, we capitalize the fee per title and record a corresponding liability at the gross amount of the liability when the license period begins, the cost of the title is known and the title is accepted and available for streaming. For produced content, we capitalize costs associated with the production, including development cost, direct costs and production overhead. Participations and residuals are expensed in line with the amortization of production costs.
Based on factors including historical and estimated viewing patterns, we amortize the content assets (licensed and produced) in “Cost of revenues” on the Consolidated Statements of Operations over the shorter of each title's contractual window of availability or estimated period of use or ten years, beginning with the month of first availability. The amortization is on an accelerated basis, as we typically expect more upfront viewing, for instance due to additional merchandising and marketing efforts, and film amortization is more accelerated than TV series amortization. On average, over 90% of a licensed or produced content asset is expected to be amortized within four years after its month of first availability. We review factors that impact the amortization of the content assets on a regular basis. Our estimates related to these factors require considerable management judgment.
Our business model is subscription based as opposed to a model generating revenues at a specific title level. Content assets (licensed and produced) are predominantly monetized as a group and therefore are reviewed at a group level when an event or change in circumstances indicates a change in the expected usefulness of the content or that the fair value may be less than unamortized cost. To date, we have not identified any such event or changes in circumstances. If such changes are identified in the future, these aggregated content assets will be stated at the lower of unamortized cost or fair value. In addition, unamortized costs for assets that have been, or are expected to be, abandoned are written off.

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 applicable to future years 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 most of the deferred tax assets recorded on our Consolidated Balance

Sheets will ultimately be realized. We record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets to the net amount that we believe is more likely than not to be realized. As of September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, the valuation allowance of $371$298 million was related to the California research and
28

development credits and certain foreign tax creditsattributes that we do not expect to realize.
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, 2020,March 31, 2021, our estimated gross unrecognized tax benefits were $85$160 million of which $49$99 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 9 Income Taxes to the consolidated financial statements for further information regarding income taxes.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The information set forth under Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements under the caption “Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” is incorporated herein by reference.


29


Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
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, 2019.2020. Our exposure to market risk has not changed significantly since December 31, 2019.2020.
Foreign Currency Risk
Revenues denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar account for 54%56% of the consolidated amount for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2020.March 31, 2021. We therefore have foreign currency risk related to these currencies, which are primarily the euro, the British pound, the Brazilian real, the Canadian dollar, the Mexican Peso, the Australian dollar, and the Japanese yen, and the Argentine peso.yen.
Accordingly, changes in exchange rates, and in particular a weakening of foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar may negatively affect our revenue and operating income as expressed in U.S. dollars. In the ninethree months ended September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, our revenues would have been approximately $562$80 million higherlower had foreign currency exchange rates remained consistent with those in same period of 2019.2020.
We have also experienced and will continue to experience fluctuations in our net income as a result of gains (losses) on the settlement and the remeasurement of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies that are not the functional currency. In the ninethree months ended September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, we recognized a $397$258 million foreign exchange lossgain primarily due to the non-cash remeasurement of our Senior Notes denominated in euros, coupled with the remeasurement of cash and content liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currencies.
In addition, the effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash as disclosed on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 was a decrease of $31$42 million.
We do not use foreign exchange contracts or derivatives to hedge any foreign currency exposures. The volatility of exchange rates depends on many factors that we cannot forecast with reliable accuracy. Our continued international expansion increases our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations and, as a result, such fluctuations could have a significant impact on our future results of operations.

Item 4.Controls and Procedures
Item 4.Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our co-Chief Executive Officers 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 co-Chief Executive Officers 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)that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our co-Chief Executive Officers and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
Our management, including our co-Chief Executive Officers 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 the Company have been detected.
 
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, 2020,March 31, 2021, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. We have not experienced any material impact to our internal controls over financial reporting despite the fact that most of our employees are working remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are continually monitoring and assessing the COVID-19 situation on our internal controls to minimize the impact on their design and operating effectiveness.



PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.Legal Proceedings
Item 1.Legal Proceedings
The information set forth under Note 7 Commitments and Contingencies in the notes to the consolidated financial statements under the caption “Legal Proceedings” is incorporated herein by reference.


30


Item 1A.Risk Factors
Item 1A.Risk Factors
There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019,2020.

Item 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Company Purchases of Equity Securities
In March 2021, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $5 billion of our common stock, with no expiration date. Stock repurchases may be effected through open market repurchases in compliance with Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act, including through the use of trading plans intended to qualify under Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act, privately-negotiated transactions, accelerated stock repurchase plans, block purchases, or other similar purchase techniques and in such amounts as updated inmanagement deems appropriate. We are not obligated to repurchase any specific number of shares, and the Company's Quarterly Reporttiming and actual number of shares repurchased will depend on Form 10-Q for the quarter endeda variety of factors, including our stock price, general economic, business and market conditions, and alternative investment opportunities. We may discontinue any repurchases of our common stock at any time without prior notice. As of March 31, 2020.2021, no stock has been repurchased under this program.

Item 6.Exhibits
Item 6.Exhibits
(a) Exhibits:

See Exhibit Index immediately following the signature page of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 


31

EXHIBIT INDEX
 
Exhibit NumberExhibit DescriptionIncorporated by ReferenceFiled
Herewith
FormFile No.ExhibitFiling Date
10-Q001-357273.1July 17, 2015
8-K001-357273.1December 18, 2020
X
X
X
X
X
101The following financial statements from the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, formatted in Inline XBRL: (i) Consolidated Statements of Operations, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, (iv) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (v) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text and including detailed tagsX
104The cover page from the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, formatted in Inline XBRLX
Exhibit Number Exhibit Description Incorporated by Reference Filed
Herewith
    Form File No. Exhibit Filing Date  
             
  10-Q 001-35727 3.1 July 17, 2015  
             
  8-K 001-35727 3.1 September 4, 2020  
             
          X
        
          X
             
          X
        
          X
        
101 The following financial statements from the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2020, formatted in Inline XBRL: (i) Consolidated Statements of Operations, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, (iv) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (v) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text and including detailed tags         X
             
104 The cover page from the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2020, formatted in Inline XBRL         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.



*    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

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, INC.
Dated:April 22, 2021By:/s/ Reed Hastings
Reed Hastings
Co-Chief Executive Officer
(Principal executive officer)
Dated:April 22, 2021NETFLIX, INC.
Dated:By:October 22, 2020By:/s/ Reed Hastings
Reed Hastings
Co-Chief Executive Officer
(Principal executive officer)
Dated:October 22, 2020By:/s/ Spencer Neumann
Spencer Neumann

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal financial and accounting officer)


36
32