Netflix shares soar as global video streaming subscribers top 62m

Los Angeles

NETFLIX Inc said its video streaming service topped 62 million subscribers worldwide, as original shows such as House of Cards drew new viewers globally. The shares soared to a record high.

US subscribers jumped by 2.28 million in the first quarter, while international accounts rose 2.6 million, the Los Gatos, California-based company said on Wednesday on its website. Both figures beat the company's Jan 20 forecast. Sales grew 24 per cent to US$1.57 billion, matching analysts' projections.