Nikhil KamathNikhil Kamath x Netflix Co-CEO, Ted Sarandos | People by WTF | Ep. 10
Episode Details
EPISODE INFO
- Released
- June 7, 2025
- Duration
- 1h 54m
- Channel
- Nikhil Kamath
- Watch on YouTube
- ▶ Open ↗
EPISODE DESCRIPTION
In this candid deep dive, I sit down with Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos to unpack the company’s remarkable journey from a DVD-by-mail service to a global streaming giant. We revisit Netflix's early battle with Blockbuster, the bold pivot to streaming, the company’s plans for India, and how they cracked the code on turning binge-watching into a universal habit. What was interesting for me was how he spots the next phenomenon before the world catches on. For anyone in media, tech, or entrepreneurship, here’s a masterclass in building and scaling in the entertainment space, and a reminder that you don’t always need a long story, just the right one. #NikhilKamath - Investor & Entrepreneur Twitter: https://x.com/nikhilkamathcio LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikhilkamathcio/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikhilkamathcio/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nikhilkamathcio/ #TedSarandos - Co-CEO, Netflix LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tedsarandos/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tedsarandos Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 01:32 - Ted’s favourite Indian creator 02:15 - Netflix’s journey, pivots & vision 08:34 - Netflix’s hiring culture 11:52 - Ted’s journalism roots 14:06 - Ted’s childhood & relationship with money 16:39 - Rapid fire & banter 18:17 - How much of the world is narrative? 19:52 - Competing with Blockbuster 25:13 - Content choices, projections & finding tribes 28:05 - What defines success for Netflix 33:56 - How to best serve your story? 37:15 - Career advice & work cultures in India vs. US 41:02 - Will Netflix produce theatrical movies? 42:20 - Future of the theatre business 45:30 - The next big disruption 47:40 - Can AI create movies? 51:42 - Netflix’s tech & what it’s doing right 57:38 - Competing with other distributors 1:02:39 - Netflix’s streaming strategy 1:03:44 - What happens to conventional TV? 1:05:01 - Why people love true crime 1:06:11 - Why Netflix isn’t betting on live sports broadcasting 1:10:24 - India’s subscription model: why it’s a tough sell 1:13:29 - Will Netflix have an ads-only model? 1:16:58 - Married life 1:18:43 - How important is India for Netflix? 1:21:57 - Adapting to country-specific dynamics 1:24:28 - How Netflix greenlights projects 1:24:53 - A founder’s baggage: filling big shoes 1:28:17 - Validation & leadership 1:32:11 - Indian personality who left a lasting impression on Ted 1:34:11 - Ted’s secret to greenlighting hits 1:41:36 - How diversity contributes to Netflix’s success 1:42:42 - Can Netflix be global & local in India? 1:44:47 - Hollywood vs. Netflix 1:45:49 - Netflix’s role in podcasting’s future 1:47:16 - Youth & attention span 1:48:44 - Netflix’s future in gaming 1:51:56 - Closing thoughts Watch 'WTF is' Podcast on Spotify https://tinyurl.com/4nsm4ezn Watch 'People by WTF' Podcast on Spotify https://tinyurl.com/yme92c59 Watch 'WTF Online' on Spotify https://tinyurl.com/4tjua4th #WTFiswithnikhilkamath #PeopleByWTF #WTFOnline
SPEAKERS
Nikhil Kamath
hostTed Sarandos
guest
EPISODE SUMMARY
In this episode of Nikhil Kamath, featuring Nikhil Kamath and Ted Sarandos, Nikhil Kamath x Netflix Co-CEO, Ted Sarandos | People by WTF | Ep. 10 explores ted Sarandos on Netflix’s evolution, culture, storytelling, and India strategy Ted Sarandos recounts Netflix’s early DVD-by-mail days, Reed Hastings’ original vision for global internet-delivered entertainment, and the practical lessons Netflix took from beating Blockbuster’s “managed dissatisfaction” (late fees, poor selection, bad customer experience).
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