N is for Netflix: the rise and rise of the ubiquitous streaming service

(From L) "Orange is the New Black" cast members US actresses Laura Prepon, Kate Mulgrew, Taylor Schilling and Uzo Aduba pose during a photocall for the launch of Netflix in France on September 15, 2014 in Paris. Netflix launched its service in France on Monday, with the US online streaming giant also announcing a deal with a French cable operator as it began the second phase of its European expansion. AFP PHOTO / FRANCOIS GUILLOT (Photo credit should read FRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP via Getty Images)

Over the last decade, the way in which we watch television has changed dramatically – and no provider has been more influential than Netflix.

Between 2011 and 2019, the number of paying Netflix subscribers worldwide rose from 21.5 million to 158 million (plus 5.5 million customers on free trials). The company has ramped up its spending on content each year, with analysts expecting its total spending to hit as much as $15bn over 2019, around two-thirds of which will be on original shows.