Changing the Way We Watch Movies

Reed Hastings, the CEO of Netflix, is on Time's 100 Most Influential People in 2011.

Yeah, that's about right.

Think about the level of impact this service has had, not just on the way people rent movies, but on the entertainment industry as a whole. It's changed the way we watch tv, by providing not only access to the DVDs for series, but offering instant streaming superior to Hulu in almost every way - and even Netflix is positioned now to offer some current episodes. It's changed the way we relate to media. It drove a flawed company to bankruptcy (sorry, Blockbuster, but you know it's true). Netflix reaches the widest audience, on the most platforms, in the most formats, than any other media outlet. It's even forcing media giants like HBO to rethink how they reach their customers

I'm not sure even Hastings could have predicted how flamingly successful Netflix would end up. But the important part is that they don't seem to be in danger of going away. Which is good, because I only just got The Talented Mr. Ripley, and I'd like to watch an episode of The Tudors when I get home tonight.