Episode
Nikhil Kamath x Netflix Co CEO, Ted Sarandos: Why Local Stories Win Global Audiences | People by WTF | Ep. 10
- Podcast
- People by WTF
- Published
- Jun 7, 2025
- Duration seconds
- 6884
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Summary
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 & EntrepreneurTwitter: https://x.com/nikhilkamathcioLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikhilkamathcio/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikhilkamathcio/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nikhilkamathcio/ #TedSarandos - Co-CEO, NetflixLinkedIN: 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 & vision08:34 - Netflix’s hiring culture 11:52 - Ted’s journalism roots14:06 - 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 streamin…