Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 62,460	$ 37,967	$ 190,907	$ 113,758
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Additions to streaming content library	(539,285)	(115,149)	(1,344,187)	(231,781)
Change in streaming content liabilities	314,720	58,638	816,620	88,197
Amortization of streaming content library	187,446	44,568	417,849	93,091
Amortization of DVD content library	23,000	32,578	73,990	111,490
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and intangibles	11,913	8,678	31,921	28,846
Stock-based compensation expense	15,705	7,296	43,505	19,726
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	(11,761)	(16,093)	(45,283)	(34,699)
Other non-cash items	(1,745)	(1,754)	(3,472)	(7,814)
Deferred taxes	(5,281)	3,194	(14,190)	(2,961)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Prepaid content	(17,335)	(25,485)	(14,928)	(32,581)
Other current assets	(8,578)	(3,374)	4,935	(12,037)
Other accounts payable	(5,422)	(10,914)	4,948	1,246
Accrued expenses	20,920	18,003	61,531	39,666
Deferred revenue	13,992	1,567	33,746	2,889
Other non-current assets and liabilities	(11,218)	2,507	(5,646)	2,648
Net cash provided by operating activities	49,531	42,227	252,246	179,684
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of DVD content library	(20,826)	(29,900)	(62,010)	(90,993)
Purchases of short-term investments	(7,673)	(15,379)	(100,536)	(73,169)
Proceeds from sale of short-term investments	37	42,238	31,508	105,063
Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments	1,805	1,995	18,440	10,318
Purchases of property and equipment	(14,080)	(7,342)	(39,026)	(19,406)
Other assets	(844)	2,782	1,419	10,289
Net cash used in investing activities	(41,581)	(5,606)	(150,205)	(57,898)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Principal payments of lease financing obligations	(526)	(470)	(1,547)	(1,296)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	4,409	10,927	18,589	33,954
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	11,761	16,093	45,283	34,699
Repurchases of common stock	(39,602)	(57,390)	(199,666)	(210,259)
Net cash used in financing activities	(23,958)	(30,840)	(137,341)	(142,902)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(16,008)	5,781	(35,300)	(21,116)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	175,207	107,327	194,499	134,224
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 159,199	$ 113,108	$ 159,199	$ 113,108