Netflix to discontinue key service starting June 2, users face major changes

Netflix, one of the most popular OTT platforms globally, is set to make a significant change that will affect a specific group of users. If you're someone who uses Netflix through an Amazon Fire TV Stick, be prepared for a disruption. Starting June 2, 2025, certain Amazon Fire TV Stick models will no longer support Netflix and other OTT streaming services, according to Amazon’s latest announcement.

Which Amazon Fire TV Devices Will Lose Support?

If you own an Amazon Fire TV device released between 2014 and 2016, you may face difficulties continuing your streaming experience. This includes:

• First-generation Fire TV Stick

• Fire TV model launched in 2014

• Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote introduced in 2016

These outdated models will stop supporting Netflix streaming services after the mentioned date.

What Should Affected Users Do?

For continued access to Netflix and a seamless streaming experience, users are advised to upgrade to a newer Fire TV Stick model. The latest versions come with:

• Faster performance

• Enhanced video and audio quality

• Updated features for an improved user experience

New Fire TV Stick models are widely available on platforms like Amazon and Flipkart, typically priced between ₹5,000 and ₹6,000. If you're looking for a good deal, watch for festive sales and promotions to make your purchase more affordable.

Smart Netflix Access: Airtel’s Rs 1798 Plan Offers Great Value

For those considering a Netflix subscription but wanting to avoid monthly payments, Airtel offers a compelling ₹1798 plan. This prepaid plan includes:

• 84 days validity

• Unlimited calling

• 100 SMS/day

• 3GB high-speed data per day

It’s a great alternative for users looking for both connectivity and entertainment in one bundle.

History of Netflix

Netflix, Inc. is an American entertainment company founded on August 29, 1997, by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph in Scotts Valley, California. It has evolved from a DVD-by-mail rental service to a global streaming giant and a major producer of original content.

Here's a detailed history of Netflix:

1. The DVD-by-Mail Era (1997-2006):

• Founding (1997): Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph launched Netflix with the initial concept of renting DVDs by mail. The idea stemmed from the high late fees Hastings incurred at a traditional video rental store.

• Initial Model (1998): The company launched its website in April 1998, offering a pay-per-rental model with no late fees, but it still required postage. They stocked 925 titles.

• Subscription Model (1999): A pivotal change came in September 1999 when Netflix introduced its monthly subscription concept, allowing customers to rent DVDs for a fixed fee per month without due dates or late fees. This was a revolutionary shift from the traditional video rental store model.

• Recommendation Algorithm (2000): Netflix introduced its personalized movie recommendation algorithm, which analyzed user preferences to suggest new content, a feature that would become a cornerstone of its success.

• IPO (2002): Netflix went public in May 2002, selling 5.5 million shares at $15.00 per share. By September of that year, it was mailing around 190,000 DVDs a day to over 600,000 subscribers.

• Competition with Blockbuster: Netflix became a significant competitor to Blockbuster, the dominant video rental chain. In 2000, Netflix even offered to sell itself to Blockbuster for $50 million, but Blockbuster declined the offer. This decision would later prove to be a colossal mistake for Blockbuster.

• Millionth Subscriber (2003): Netflix reached 1 million subscribers in April 2003.

• Netflix Prize (2006): In 2006, Netflix launched the "Netflix Prize," offering $1 million to the first team that could improve its recommendation algorithm by more than 10%. This initiative highlighted their commitment to data-driven personalization.

2. The Transition to Streaming (2007-2012):

• Streaming Launch (January 2007): This was arguably the most crucial pivot in Netflix's history. Recognizing the potential of broadband internet, Netflix introduced its streaming service, initially as a complementary feature to its DVD rental plans, allowing subscribers to watch a limited selection of content online.

• Billionth DVD Delivered (February 2007): Even as streaming launched, Netflix delivered its billionth DVD, signaling the peak of its original business model.

• Streaming as Core Business (2010): By 2010, Reed Hastings declared, "Three years ago we were a DVD by-mail company that offered some streaming. We are now a streaming company which also offers DVD-by mail." This marked a clear strategic shift.

• International Expansion Begins (2010): Netflix started its international expansion by launching its streaming service in Canada in September 2010.

• "Qwikster" Fiasco (2011): Netflix announced a controversial plan to split its DVD rental service into a separate company called "Qwikster" with separate websites and higher prices. This move was met with significant backlash from subscribers, leading to an exodus of 800,000 subscribers and a sharp drop in stock price. Netflix quickly reversed the decision.

• Further International Expansion (2011-2012): Despite the "Qwikster" misstep, Netflix continued its global push, expanding into Latin America and the Caribbean (2011) and then into Europe, starting with the UK and Ireland (2012), followed by Nordic countries.

• Cloud Migration: From 2008 to 2016, Netflix systematically migrated its entire infrastructure to Amazon Web Services (AWS), a monumental undertaking that provided the scalability and flexibility needed for its growing streaming service.

3. The Era of Original Content and Global Dominance (2013-Present):

• First Original Series (2012): Netflix commissioned and released its first original series, "Lilyhammer" (a Norwegian-American co-production), in 2012.

• "House of Cards" (2013): The release of "House of Cards" in February 2013, with all episodes available at once, solidified Netflix's reputation as a serious content producer and popularized the "binge-watching" phenomenon. This was followed by other hits like "Orange Is the New Black" in the same year.

• Massive Global Expansion (2016): At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January 2016, Netflix announced a major international expansion into 130 new territories, making its service available in virtually 190 countries worldwide.

• First Academy Award (2017): Netflix won its first Academy Award for "The White Helmets" (documentary short).

• 100 Million Subscribers (2017): Netflix reached the significant milestone of 100 million global members.

• Industry Recognition: Netflix consistently earns numerous nominations and awards at major industry events like the Emmys and Academy Awards, demonstrating its commitment to high-quality original programming across genres and regions (e.g., "Stranger Things," "The Crown," "Narcos," "Squid Game," "Money Heist").

• Diversification: Netflix has expanded into other areas, including:

  • Interactive Content: Experimenting with choose-your-own-adventure style shows.

  • Mobile Games (2021): Launched mobile games for subscribers, diversifying its entertainment offerings.

• Subscriber Milestones:

  • 200 Million Subscribers (2020): Surpassed 200 million global subscribers.

  • 300 Million Subscribers (2025): As of 2025, Netflix has over 300 million paid memberships.

• Introduction of Ad-Supported Plan (2022): To attract new subscribers and generate additional revenue, Netflix launched a cheaper, ad-supported subscription tier.

• Crackdown on Password Sharing (2023): Netflix began implementing measures to limit password sharing outside of households, aiming to convert freeloaders into paying subscribers.

• Co-CEOs and Leadership Changes (2023): Reed Hastings stepped down as co-CEO, with Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters continuing as co-CEOs, while Hastings transitioned to Executive Chairman.

• Ending DVD Rentals (2023): After 25 years, Netflix officially ended its DVD-by-mail rental service, fully cementing its identity as a streaming-first company.

• Live Events (2024-2025): Netflix has started to venture into live programming, including sports (e.g., streaming a live boxing match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson in July 2024) and WWE agreements (e.g., streaming WWE's Raw starting in 2025), diversifying its content even further.

Netflix's history is a testament to its agility, willingness to cannibalize its own successful business model, and aggressive investment in technology and content. It has fundamentally transformed how people consume entertainment globally and continues to be a dominant force in the highly competitive streaming landscape.