podcast

212.2 - The Birth of Netflix and the Fall of Blockbuster

14.05.2026
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In this episode, I’m taking you back to the 1990s and sharing what family movie nights were like growing up in suburban California. From browsing the aisles at Blockbuster with my family to ordering DVDs through Netflix for the very first time, we’ll explore how entertainment changed almost overnight and how Netflix completely transformed the movie industry.

Along the way, you’ll learn lots of natural American English related to:
- Movie nights and entertainment

Film and television vocabulary

Business and technology

Internet culture and innovation

Common expressions and idioms

You’ll also hear expressions and vocabulary like:
- My jam

On the same page

Come to an agreement

Think outside the box

Jump on the bandwagon

Binge-watch

Late fees

Browse

Streaming

Subscription

By the end of this episode, you’ll not only understand the story behind Netflix and Blockbuster, but you’ll also have new vocabulary and expressions to talk naturally about movies, technology, and change in everyday English conversations.

This episode follows the Fluency Loop approach. It helps you hear, understand, and start using English naturally through stories, culture, and real-life context. Sign up to the Academy to learn more with each lesson.

⭐ Want more real, everyday English? Join my 14-Day Slang and Expression Challenge. Each day, you’ll learn natural phrases through short dialogues, quizzes, and real-life context so you can start sounding more like a native speaker.

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