Netflix (NFLX -9.71%) is an on-demand subscription streaming service that's become a household name The company launched its streaming platform in 2007, but its origins go back to 1997 as a DVD-by-mail movie rental service.
The company is one of the most popular global and U.S. streaming services. In its 2024 annual report, Netflix announced it had more than 300 million paid members worldwide, a 16% increase from the prior year. The company also generated revenue of $11.5 billion in the third quarter of 2025, up 17.2% from the prior-year period, with net income of nearly $2.6 billion.
As a publicly traded company, anyone can buy shares and become a part owner of Netflix. Here's what you need to know about who owns Netflix, its largest shareholders, and its board of directors.
Who owns Netflix?
Netflix completed its initial public offering (IPO) on May 23, 2002, at a price of $15 per share. Thousands of individuals and institutional investors own Netflix stock, but institutional investors hold about 85.8% of Netflix stock as of late 2025.
Who are the largest shareholders?
The majority of Netflix shares are held by a group of well-known institutions. However, individual investors also retain a notable slice of the business. Here are the top five individuals and institutions that control shares of Netflix as of the company's most recent proxy statement in mid 2025.
Individuals
- Reed Hastings: Owns 4.2 million shares. He co-founded and has served as executive chairman of Netflix since 2023 after 25 years as CEO.
- Ted Sarandos: Owns 557,282 shares. Sarandos has served as co-CEO of Netflix since July 2020.
- Jay C. Hoag: Owns 380,232 shares. Hoag has served as one of Netflix's directors since 1999.
- Greg Peters: Owns 274,038 shares. Peters has served as co-CEO of Netflix with Sarandos since January 2023.
- Spencer Neuman: Owns 193,550 shares. He has been Netflix's chief financial officer since 2019.
Who is on the board of directors for Netflix?
Netflix's board of directors helps manage the company on behalf of its stakeholders and shareholders. Its made up of 13 members.
NAME | ROLE | TENURE |
|---|---|---|
Richard Barton | Independent Director | Since 2002 |
Mathias Döpfner | Independent Director | Since 2018 |
Reed Hastings | Chairman | Since 1997 |
Jay Hoag | Lead Independent Director | Since 1999 |
Leslie Kilgore | Independent Director | Since 2012 |
Strive Masiyiwa | Independent Director | Since 2020 |
Ann Mather | Independent Director | Since 2010 |
Ellie Mertz | Independent Director | Since 2025 |
Greg Peters | Director | Since 2023 |
Ambassador Susan Rice | Independent Director | Since 2023 |
Ted Sarandos | Director | Since 2020 |
Brad Smith | Independent Director | Since 2015 |
Anne Sweeney | Independent Director | Since 2015 |
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Who owns Netflix: FAQ
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