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Everyone You Know Just Signed Up for Netflix Everyone You Know Just Signed Up for Netflix
(about 1 month later)
Netflix has become one of the nation’s all-around distractions, acting as both a supercharged nanny and a nightly balm during the coronavirus crisis.Netflix has become one of the nation’s all-around distractions, acting as both a supercharged nanny and a nightly balm during the coronavirus crisis.
It’s not hard to imagine why. With an almost bottomless well of movies and serials that can be watched on almost any device, it’s the kind of service that would be dreamed up by someone stranded on a desert island — or stuck at home during a pandemic.It’s not hard to imagine why. With an almost bottomless well of movies and serials that can be watched on almost any device, it’s the kind of service that would be dreamed up by someone stranded on a desert island — or stuck at home during a pandemic.
More than 15.7 million people signed up for Netflix in the first three months of the year, when the coronavirus started to disrupt daily life around the world. That was a record for the streamer, according to its first quarter earnings announcement on Tuesday.More than 15.7 million people signed up for Netflix in the first three months of the year, when the coronavirus started to disrupt daily life around the world. That was a record for the streamer, according to its first quarter earnings announcement on Tuesday.
Netflix has 182.8 million subscribers, making it one of the world’s largest entertainment services. It added 2.3 million in the United States and Canada in the first quarter for a total of 69.9 million, and added 13.5 million internationally.Netflix has 182.8 million subscribers, making it one of the world’s largest entertainment services. It added 2.3 million in the United States and Canada in the first quarter for a total of 69.9 million, and added 13.5 million internationally.
The results offer a vivid snapshot of how the coronavirus has affected the streaming industry, signifying the first real test of how durable online video has been during the pandemic. Streaming has also become one of Hollywood’s few lifelines at a time when the entertainment industry is at a virtual standstill.The results offer a vivid snapshot of how the coronavirus has affected the streaming industry, signifying the first real test of how durable online video has been during the pandemic. Streaming has also become one of Hollywood’s few lifelines at a time when the entertainment industry is at a virtual standstill.
The company’s letter to shareholders is normally a dry note about quarterly achievements, but this time it struck an emotional tone.The company’s letter to shareholders is normally a dry note about quarterly achievements, but this time it struck an emotional tone.
“We have never seen a future more uncertain or unsettling,” it read. “The coronavirus has reached every corner of the world and, in the absence of a widespread treatment or vaccine, no one knows how or when this terrible crisis will end.”“We have never seen a future more uncertain or unsettling,” it read. “The coronavirus has reached every corner of the world and, in the absence of a widespread treatment or vaccine, no one knows how or when this terrible crisis will end.”
“It’s an incredible tragedy for the world,” Reed Hastings, the chief executive, said on the earnings call after the announcement. “Everyone is wrestling with the implications, both on health, hunger and poverty, and we too are really unsure about what the future brings.”“It’s an incredible tragedy for the world,” Reed Hastings, the chief executive, said on the earnings call after the announcement. “Everyone is wrestling with the implications, both on health, hunger and poverty, and we too are really unsure about what the future brings.”
The company acknowledged that it had fared well during the crisis, but said it expected “viewing to decline and membership growth to decelerate as home confinement ends, which we hope is soon.”The company acknowledged that it had fared well during the crisis, but said it expected “viewing to decline and membership growth to decelerate as home confinement ends, which we hope is soon.”
It hasn’t been an easy time for the industry as a whole. Broadcast and cable networks have been starved of their most important programming: sports. Advertisers have cut back on television spending by as much as $12 billion, according to the research firm eMarketer. And movie studios haven’t been able to sell tickets ever since stay-at-home orders were put in place.It hasn’t been an easy time for the industry as a whole. Broadcast and cable networks have been starved of their most important programming: sports. Advertisers have cut back on television spending by as much as $12 billion, according to the research firm eMarketer. And movie studios haven’t been able to sell tickets ever since stay-at-home orders were put in place.
But Netflix has benefited. It doesn’t have sports programming. It doesn’t have commercials. It doesn’t need movie theaters. Mostly. Hollywood studios have changed tack to release films on streaming services to reach their audiences. On Tuesday, Netflix announced that it had bought the rights to “Enola Holmes,” a period film set in the Sherlock Holmes universe that features Millie Bobbie Brown, the star of the Netflix hit “Stranger Things.” Legendary Entertainment, the studio behind the film, was originally considering a theatrical release.But Netflix has benefited. It doesn’t have sports programming. It doesn’t have commercials. It doesn’t need movie theaters. Mostly. Hollywood studios have changed tack to release films on streaming services to reach their audiences. On Tuesday, Netflix announced that it had bought the rights to “Enola Holmes,” a period film set in the Sherlock Holmes universe that features Millie Bobbie Brown, the star of the Netflix hit “Stranger Things.” Legendary Entertainment, the studio behind the film, was originally considering a theatrical release.
Netflix’s original programming continued to draw audiences. More than 29 million households tuned into the third season of “Ozark,” a crime drama starring Jason Bateman. The reality show “Love Is Blind” drew 30 million watchers. But the surprise hit was “Tiger King,” a wildly popular documentary series about a tiger breeder and zookeeper in Oklahoma who ultimately landed in prison. The surreal saga was viewed by 64 million subscribers.Netflix’s original programming continued to draw audiences. More than 29 million households tuned into the third season of “Ozark,” a crime drama starring Jason Bateman. The reality show “Love Is Blind” drew 30 million watchers. But the surprise hit was “Tiger King,” a wildly popular documentary series about a tiger breeder and zookeeper in Oklahoma who ultimately landed in prison. The surreal saga was viewed by 64 million subscribers.
Netflix faces a slew of deep-pocketed competitors. The Walt Disney Company unveiled Disney Plus in November and has already racked up over 50 million subscribers. Comcast’s NBCUniversal division launched Peacock last week to more than 15 million Comcast customers before making it widely available this summer. On Tuesday, AT&T announced that HBO Max, its long-awaited, multibillion-dollar effort, would finally roll out on May 27.Netflix faces a slew of deep-pocketed competitors. The Walt Disney Company unveiled Disney Plus in November and has already racked up over 50 million subscribers. Comcast’s NBCUniversal division launched Peacock last week to more than 15 million Comcast customers before making it widely available this summer. On Tuesday, AT&T announced that HBO Max, its long-awaited, multibillion-dollar effort, would finally roll out on May 27.
Mr. Hastings praised Disney. “I’ve never seen such a good execution,” he said, echoing remarks he made in November. “Disney is the one we have the most to learn from in terms of entertainment,” he said at the time.Mr. Hastings praised Disney. “I’ve never seen such a good execution,” he said, echoing remarks he made in November. “Disney is the one we have the most to learn from in terms of entertainment,” he said at the time.
Updated June 1, 2020
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.
Yes, but make sure you keep six feet of distance between you and people who don’t live in your home. Even if you just hang out in a park, rather than go for a jog or a walk, getting some fresh air, and hopefully sunshine, is a good idea.
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
Charity Navigator, which evaluates charities using a numbers-based system, has a running list of nonprofits working in communities affected by the outbreak. You can give blood through the American Red Cross, and World Central Kitchen has stepped in to distribute meals in major cities.
Netflix said on Tuesday that it expected the current quarter, which ends in June, to slow down a bit. The company has forecast 7.5 million new subscribers and about $6 billion in sales and $820 million in profit.Netflix said on Tuesday that it expected the current quarter, which ends in June, to slow down a bit. The company has forecast 7.5 million new subscribers and about $6 billion in sales and $820 million in profit.
As production companies have remained idle, a widening gap has opened up in the industry’s content lineup. Netflix has also put productions on hold, but it is continuing to pay staff out of a $150 million fund it created to shore up the Hollywood economy.As production companies have remained idle, a widening gap has opened up in the industry’s content lineup. Netflix has also put productions on hold, but it is continuing to pay staff out of a $150 million fund it created to shore up the Hollywood economy.
Ted Sarandos, the head of Netflix’s content division, said the company was still well positioned for the year. “Our 2020 slate is largely shot,” he said, later adding, “and we’re pretty deep into our 2021 slate.”Ted Sarandos, the head of Netflix’s content division, said the company was still well positioned for the year. “Our 2020 slate is largely shot,” he said, later adding, “and we’re pretty deep into our 2021 slate.”
The slowdown is a short-term blessing. Netflix normally burns through a ton of cash to fund its content. Because the company pays for all of its productions up front — before they are available to be watched — it does not account for those costs until later, sometimes a year or more after it has spent the money.The slowdown is a short-term blessing. Netflix normally burns through a ton of cash to fund its content. Because the company pays for all of its productions up front — before they are available to be watched — it does not account for those costs until later, sometimes a year or more after it has spent the money.
That allows Netflix to claim a profit despite spending more than comes in. The accounting practice is commonplace and is employed by every media company; Netflix just does it on a much bigger scale.That allows Netflix to claim a profit despite spending more than comes in. The accounting practice is commonplace and is employed by every media company; Netflix just does it on a much bigger scale.
Netflix saw a temporary bright spot here. The company had positive cash flow of about $162 million during the first quarter, though Netflix said it was not related to the slowdown. On a yearly basis, the company burns through as much as $3 billion in cash, but it anticipates that figure could fall to $1 billion this year.Netflix saw a temporary bright spot here. The company had positive cash flow of about $162 million during the first quarter, though Netflix said it was not related to the slowdown. On a yearly basis, the company burns through as much as $3 billion in cash, but it anticipates that figure could fall to $1 billion this year.
Revenue for the quarter reached $5.7 billion and profit was $709 million, which was below estimates.Revenue for the quarter reached $5.7 billion and profit was $709 million, which was below estimates.