Why Netflix Has the Highest Salaries

The large streaming company, Netflix has been growing and growing as time goes on and it’s possible that some of the strategy in able to stay relevant with new original shows and well appreciated series’ is in generous payment. Bryn Sandberg reports, “Netflix's salaries, say sources, are 25 percent to 50 percent higher than those at legacy media companies” (Sandberg). This is certainly enticing to filmmakers or executives who want to join a fast growing streaming network that could be considered the future of media. Many studios including Amazon, HBO and Hulu have been trying to compete with the streaming giant with their versions of services to stream. The incentive of higher pay and a popular platform is most likely how Netflix has been able to gain high talent for Netflix original media. Netflix puts their money where their mouth is when it comes to original content and the stars they are able to obtain. Just recently, Netflix released an original series staring high profile actors Jonah Hill and Emma Stone. Soon to come the network produced a series directed by the legendary Joel and Ethan Coen. Netflix time and time again is proving that high priced talent is no problem for them. A shocking notion about the company is how transparent they are about their salaries. “As of 2017, anyone director-level or above can see what everyone makes (and their pay history) through an internal system called Workday” (Sandberg). The transparency can be nice and at the same time cause work related problems. It can be great and strategic to make salaries public to allow potential talent to want to join Netflix based off the fact they pay more, yet it can also cause talent to know the exact payment of their collogues, which can get interesting. Regardless, the more rumors that are put out that Netflix gives out higher pay than the competition, it will drastically decrease the quality in network television and other streaming services.

Works Cited: Sandberg, Bryn Elise. “What's Behind Netflix's Sky-High Employee Salaries: ‘It's Like Play Money.’” The Hollywood Reporter, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Oct. 2018, www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/whats-behind-netflixs-sky-high-employee-salaries-1150552.