Netflix Tops 65 Million Subs with Record Q2 Additions

LOS GATOS: Netflix has surpassed 65 million members globally, with a record 3.3 million subs added in Q2, a quarter that marked the largest number to date of high-profile original series for the service.

Of the 65 million members, 42 million are in the U.S. In the second quarter, the service added 900,000 U.S. members and 2.4 million internationally. Netflix credits its strong slate of original programming for helping to drive up subs, with a Q2 that included the first seasons of Marvel’s Daredevil​, ​Sense8, Dragons: Race to the Edge ​and ​Grace and Frankie, as well as season three of ​Orange Is the New Black​.

Looking ahead, Netflix is forecasting Q3 U.S. net additions of 1.15 million, and international growth of 2.4 million.

As for original content, the service reports that 90 percent of members have engaged with its original content, "another indicator that we are on the right path," CEO Reed Hastings and CFO David Wells said in a letter to shareholders. Netflix plans to devote more investment to originals as well, noting documentaries, stand-up and feature films as areas for growth.

"We’re pleased to see the growing momentum of our original programming driving strong growth in the U.S. and abroad," the execs said. "With our first set of international markets having achieved contribution profitability, we’ll be making our first foray into Asia this fall with our Japan launch, and are gearing up to offer our service around the globe."