Core Insights - Netflix has successfully adapted to changing technologies and consumer patterns, becoming a significant winner on Wall Street [1] - An initial investment of $1,000 in Netflix would have grown to hundreds of thousands of dollars today, highlighting its remarkable growth [2] Company History - Netflix started in 1998 as a mail-order DVD company, competing directly with Blockbuster, which was the leading DVD retailer at the time [3] - The company transitioned to streaming services in January 2007, gaining a first-mover advantage as Blockbuster failed to adapt [3] Market Performance - Netflix's current market capitalization exceeds $517 billion, with over 300 million subscribers globally [4] - In contrast, Blockbuster filed for bankruptcy in 2010 and now operates only one store in Bend, Oregon [4] Investment Returns - An investment of $1,000 in Netflix shares in December 2006 would have resulted in a current value of approximately $326,148, reflecting a gain of 32,515% [8] - This performance significantly outpaces the S&P 500, which rose about 364%, the Dow at 270%, and the Nasdaq at roughly 813% over the same period [6]