Video streaming service provider from Scotts Valley, California, Netflix just raked in another 8.3 million subscribers in 2017 quarter four making the total base to now 110 million in global audience. Barely a decade old, the independent broadcaster of TV series and original content has grown to a behemoth and is now spreading its tentacles across Asia.

With over 52 million of its users residing in America, Netflix took the expansion role to hyper-drive when the company decided to bring its popular shows like House of Cards, Punisher and Black Mirror to craving audiences in these part of the world. Preferring to engage with production houses and producers for original contents, the formula has been working wonders with many new comers trying to emulate the success. Malaysia’s iFlix has been in business before Netflix came to Southeast Asia, but now will face the might and resource rich of the US giant who has gained tremendous traction despite a RM49 price tag compared to RM8 imposed by iFlix.

Push for more content and localisation could be the key for survival for smaller players who are seeking to move into the streaming space, but even existing terrestrial broadcasters are facing tough challenge from OTT players who can acquire content cheaply and offer them for a fraction of the cost. Think Spotify and what it did to the music industry! Laden with an unlimited reserves in its war chest Netflix is trumping over the rest and with blockbuster movies and top stars joining the fray, the making of a mega-network is on the way.

In coming days, we will hear the financial reports from tech giants across the Pacific with many analysts anticipating higher than expected returns for year 2017, among the star performers Netflix, will also be announcing some interesting numbers.