Netflix tops 30 million users worldwide

Netflix said Thursday it now has more than 30 million subscribers worldwide, including some five million outside the United States as the Internet video service pursues a global expansion. "Thirty million of you are now Netflix streaming members. I'd like to express my gratitude to each of you," chief executive Reed Hastings said on his Facebook page. "Your choice to be a Netflix member helps us get more content every year, and helps us further improve our member experience. You make it possible for us to offer the most amazing Internet television experience ever." Netflix hit the 10 million member milestone in 2009, a decade after it launched its DVD-by-mail service in the United States. The number jumped to 20 million members by the end of 2010 with the adoption of the Netflix streaming video service in the US and Canada. Netflix is currently available in 51 countries, with Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland the most recent additions. Earlier this week, Netflix reported a fall in profit to $7.7 million in the past quarter on revenues of $905 million.