Original link: http://www.bbc.com/news/business-29421555

Netflix has announced that it will be working with the film company Weinstein, to produce its first full feature-length film next year.

This move by the company Netflix reflects how dramatically the company has changed from when it first started in 1997. From starting as a postal DVD rental service, to moving to a major online pay-to-stream platform and subsequently producing Netflix original TV series. The large revenue Netflix has grossed from monthly subscribers of customers has allowed the company to expand its business.

Its success in the TV series that are Netflix originals, like the “House of Cards,” has boosted the brand image and name from not only a platform of watching existing films and series but producing original and successful content.

By moving to full feature Films, Netflix opens another corridor for opportunity. By releasing films on Netflix the same time as movie theatres, it will influence movie-goers to rethink spending money on going out, buying movie tickets and traveling. Instead they will resort to paying a small subscription fees to watch movies in the comfort of their own home on Netflix.

Although beneficial for Netflix, could this possibly harm the cinema industry? Obviously, the experience of iMAX is incomparable to watching a film at home but with ever-improving home entertainment systems like surround sound, 3D television and extremely high quality TVs this could strike up a very competitive alternative. I foresee most people would much prefer to watch films with privacy and comfort of their homes and this can largely impact the cinema industry.