If leading Netflix Subtitles, would you add more Netflix language options that increase storage needs, or maintain current language support?

Introduction

The trade-off we're considering for Netflix Subtitles is whether to expand language options, increasing storage needs, or maintain current language support. This decision impacts user experience, technical infrastructure, and global expansion strategy. I'll analyze this trade-off through the lens of user value, technical feasibility, and business impact.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Context: I'm assuming this is a global initiative. Could you confirm if this is for all Netflix markets or specific regions?

Why it matters: Impacts scope and prioritization of languages Expected answer: Global initiative Impact on approach: Would need to consider diverse language needs and regional preferences

• Business Context: Based on Netflix's subscription model, I'm thinking language options might impact user acquisition and retention. How does this align with our current growth strategy?

Why it matters: Helps prioritize solution against business objectives Expected answer: Critical for international growth and retention Impact on approach: Would justify investment in expanded language support

• User Impact: Considering Netflix's diverse user base, I'm curious about our current language coverage. What percentage of our users are we currently serving with existing subtitle options?

Why it matters: Helps quantify potential impact of expansion Expected answer: Covering 80-90% of users Impact on approach: Would influence the urgency and scale of language expansion

• Technical: Given the storage concerns, I'm wondering about our current content delivery network (CDN) capabilities. How scalable is our current infrastructure for handling increased subtitle data?

Why it matters: Determines feasibility and cost of expansion Expected answer: CDN can handle increase with some optimization Impact on approach: Would need to balance language expansion with technical optimization

• Resource: Thinking about the effort required, do we have dedicated teams for subtitle creation and management?

Why it matters: Affects implementation timeline and quality Expected answer: Mix of in-house and outsourced teams Impact on approach: Would need to consider scaling subtitle production capabilities