Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 17,152	$ 226,126	$ 160,853
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Additions to streaming content library	(2,515,506)	(2,320,732)	(406,210)
Change in streaming content liabilities	762,089	1,463,955	168,231
Amortization of streaming content library	1,591,218	699,128	158,100
Amortization of DVD content library	65,396	96,744	142,496
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and intangibles	45,469	43,747	38,099
Stock-based compensation expense	73,948	61,582	27,996
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	(4,543)	(45,784)	(62,214)
Other non-cash items	(8,392)	(4,050)	(9,128)
Deferred taxes	(30,071)	(18,597)	(962)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Prepaid content	(3,922)	6,211	(35,476)
Other current assets	(1,510)	(4,775)	(18,027)
Accounts payable	(3,764)	23,968	19,214
Accrued expenses	9,806	65,560	65,698
Deferred revenue	20,676	21,613	27,086
Other non-current assets and liabilities	4,719	3,016	645
Net cash provided by operating activities	22,765	317,712	276,401
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of DVD content library	(48,275)	(85,154)	(123,901)
Purchases of property and equipment	(41,457)	(49,682)	(33,837)
Purchases of short-term investments	(477,321)	(223,750)	(107,362)
Proceeds from sale of short-term investments	282,953	50,993	120,857
Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments	29,365	38,105	15,818
Other assets	8,816	3,674	12,344
Net cash used in investing activities	(245,919)	(265,814)	(116,081)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	4,124	19,614	49,776
Proceeds from public offering of common stock, net of issuance costs	(464)	199,947	0
Proceeds from issuance of debt, net of issuance costs	(295)	198,060	0
Repurchases of common stock	0	(199,666)	(210,259)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	4,543	45,784	62,214
Principal payments of lease financing obligations	(2,319)	(2,083)	(1,776)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	5,589	261,656	(100,045)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(197)	0	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(217,762)	313,554	60,275
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	508,053	194,499	134,224
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	290,291	508,053	194,499
Supplemental disclosure:
Income taxes paid	28,853	79,069	56,218
Interest paid	$ 19,009	$ 19,395	$ 20,101