Segment Information (Tables)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Segment Information [Abstract]

Information On Reportable Segments And Reconciliation To Consolidated Net Income

	As of/Three Months ended December 31, 2011
	Domestic Streaming		International Streaming			Domestic DVD		Consolidated
	(in thousands)
Total subscriptions at end of period		21,671		1,858			11,165		—
Revenues	$	476,334	$	28,988		$	370,253	$	875,575
Cost of revenues and marketing expense		424,224		88,731			176,488		689,443
Contribution profit (loss)	$	52,110	$	(59,743	)	$	193,765		186,132
Other operating expenses									124,260
Operating income									61,872
Other income (expense)									(5,037	)
Provision for income taxes									21,616
Net income								$	35,219

	As of/Year ended December 31, 2011
	Domestic		International			Consolidated
	(in thousands)
Total unique subscribers at end of period		24,395		1,858			26,253
Revenues	$	3,121,727	$	82,850		$	3,204,577
Cost of revenues and marketing expense		2,256,540		185,999			2,442,539
Contribution profit (loss)	$	865,187	$	(103,149	)		762,038
Other operating expenses							385,970
Operating income							376,068
Other income (expense)							(16,546	)
Provision for income taxes							133,396
Net income						$	226,126

	As of/Year ended December 31, 2010
	Domestic		International			Consolidated
	(in thousands)
Total unique subscribers at end of period		19,501		509			20,010
Revenues	$	2,159,008	$	3,617		$	2,162,625
Cost of revenues and marketing expense		1,635,459		15,735			1,651,194
Contribution profit (loss)	$	523,549	$	(12,118	)		511,431
Other operating expenses							227,790
Operating income							283,641
Other income (expense)							(15,945	)
Provision for income taxes							106,843
Net income						$	160,853