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Ask HN: Should Netflix Be Removed from FAANG?

3 points by tempsy 7y ago

Netflix never really seemed to belong in FAANG. Should they be removed? Seems like Salesforce and Microsoft should both be included over Netflix.

sp332 7y ago
Netflix has ridiculously large operations. 37% of downstream internet traffic in North America in 2016 https://time.com/3901378/netflix-internet-traffic/ https://time.com/3901378/netflix-internet-traffic/ 15% of global internet traffic in 2018 https://www.sandvine.com/hubfs/downloads/phenomena/2018-phenomena-report.pdf https://www.sandvine.com/hubfs/downloads/phenomena/2018-phen... . Not that I'm against adding Microsoft, but I think Netflix has definitely earned its spot.
- tempsy 7y ago
  I mean, of course there's no official requirement on what constitutes a "big tech co" but my point is more that I wouldn't consider Netflix's business to really be comparable to the others in the existing acronym. It has one narrow business line that currently has a lot of users, but will likely face considerable headwinds with a glut of new competing services from content owners like Disney.
  - sp332 7y ago
    I thought it was more that they all fight for the same pool of employees.
ineedasername 7y ago
You can't remove them from FAANG. I mean, you could, but then the "N" would be meaningless unless you could find a suitable replacement that begins with "N". Adding either Salesforce or Microsoft wouldn't solve that problem. You'd need to ignore them in the acronym. If you change the acronym to suit them, then it's no longer FAANG at all. (Well, Nalesforce or Nicrosoft might work) I realize this adds no substance to the conversation and should properly be downvoted to death. But sometimes you just can't resist.
jppope 7y ago
Wallstreet got a hold of "FAANG" from developers... the original reference was the list of companies that were doing the most interesting Tech work (companies with a lot of money and a lot of interesting problems) when the acronym popped up. Basically companies the best devs/ engineers would want to work for. So nah... pulling out Netflix wouldn't make sense... though it seems like there is a safe argument for the inclusion of Microsoft.
mindcrime 7y ago
It's not like it's an official term anyway. Use whatever grouping and weird abbreviation you want. Personally I vote for MANGO - Microsoft, Amazon, Netflix, Google, Overstock. Or maybe ORANGE - Oracle, Rockwell, Amazon, Netflix, Google, Ebay.
karmakaze 7y ago
Salesforce is not a tech company a competent developer would want to work for, which is what FAANG companies have in common. Microsoft may be becoming one but my assessment of the current perception is that it's not quite there yet. At this point it doesn't matter if all the companies change, the idea of FAANG still applies like a stock market index or Ship of Theseus. I'd be interested in all the smaller, good tech, companies to work for list. Needs a catchy name.

3 points by tempsy 7y ago

Netflix never really seemed to belong in FAANG. Should they be removed? Seems like Salesforce and Microsoft should both be included over Netflix.

sp332 7y ago

Netflix has ridiculously large operations. 37% of downstream internet traffic in North America in 2016 https://time.com/3901378/netflix-internet-traffic/ https://time.com/3901378/netflix-internet-traffic/ 15% of global internet traffic in 2018 https://www.sandvine.com/hubfs/downloads/phenomena/2018-phenomena-report.pdf https://www.sandvine.com/hubfs/downloads/phenomena/2018-phen... . Not that I'm against adding Microsoft, but I think Netflix has definitely earned its spot.

tempsy 7y ago
I mean, of course there's no official requirement on what constitutes a "big tech co" but my point is more that I wouldn't consider Netflix's business to really be comparable to the others in the existing acronym. It has one narrow business line that currently has a lot of users, but will likely face considerable headwinds with a glut of new competing services from content owners like Disney.
- sp332 7y ago
  I thought it was more that they all fight for the same pool of employees.

ineedasername 7y ago

You can't remove them from FAANG. I mean, you could, but then the "N" would be meaningless unless you could find a suitable replacement that begins with "N". Adding either Salesforce or Microsoft wouldn't solve that problem. You'd need to ignore them in the acronym. If you change the acronym to suit them, then it's no longer FAANG at all. (Well, Nalesforce or Nicrosoft might work) I realize this adds no substance to the conversation and should properly be downvoted to death. But sometimes you just can't resist.

jppope 7y ago

Wallstreet got a hold of "FAANG" from developers... the original reference was the list of companies that were doing the most interesting Tech work (companies with a lot of money and a lot of interesting problems) when the acronym popped up. Basically companies the best devs/ engineers would want to work for. So nah... pulling out Netflix wouldn't make sense... though it seems like there is a safe argument for the inclusion of Microsoft.

mindcrime 7y ago

It's not like it's an official term anyway. Use whatever grouping and weird abbreviation you want. Personally I vote for MANGO - Microsoft, Amazon, Netflix, Google, Overstock. Or maybe ORANGE - Oracle, Rockwell, Amazon, Netflix, Google, Ebay.

karmakaze 7y ago

Salesforce is not a tech company a competent developer would want to work for, which is what FAANG companies have in common. Microsoft may be becoming one but my assessment of the current perception is that it's not quite there yet. At this point it doesn't matter if all the companies change, the idea of FAANG still applies like a stock market index or Ship of Theseus. I'd be interested in all the smaller, good tech, companies to work for list. Needs a catchy name.