60 Minutes Season 39 Episode 14 Netflix, Hiding from Death, The Gift

Netflix is a household name as an online streaming platform, home to binge-watchers and movie enthusiasts globally. In this episode of 60 Minutes, the show's correspondents explore Netflix's journey over the past few decades and its role as a game-changer in the entertainment industry. From humble beginnings as a DVD rental service to a digital media giant, Netflix's growth story is nothing short of a miracle.

The first segment of the show takes us back to the early days of Netflix when it started as a DVD rental company. Co-founder and CEO, Reed Hastings, narrates how they thought of a business model that could destroy Blockbuster, the biggest DVD rental store chain in America. Hastings and co-founder Marc Rudolph recognized that Blockbuster's late fees were annoying and set out to design a service that would provide a DVD rental without late fees and focused on the convenience of the customer. Through this innovative model, Netflix became a popular choice amidst movie enthusiasts.

The show then talks about Netflix's transition to a streaming platform and how it changed the way people view movies and TV content. The correspondents delve into its algorithm which takes into account a user's viewing history, provides recommendations, and how this has impacted the way in which people consume content. The show explores how the streaming service produces its own content, with a focus on enhanced storytelling and powerful character development. Correspondents sit down with the creative minds behind some of the most successful Netflix shows, such as ‘Stranger Things' and ‘The Crown.' Not only do the shows stand out, but Netflix bills itself as a place where creatives can take risks that they wouldn’t be able to in a traditional network environment, as their unwritten rule is to give a green light to the pitch if they love it, or say "no" in fifteen minutes.

The second segment of the show takes a somber turn as the correspondents explore the lives of diplomats that hide from death threats and terror strikes around the world. They have the diplomatic immunity that protects them but also attracts hostility. The report talks about how these diplomats' lives have to be adjusted, with a focus on secrecy and safety, in the line of duty. The show emphasizes the psychological impact living under the fear of death often has on these courageous professionals who aim to serve and protect their countries.

In the final segment, 60 Minutes explores a heart-warming inspirational story, about a boy whose most sustained learning comes in the form of a gift he offered his mother during her cancer battle. Gabriel Santisteban Jr. made YouTube episodes called The Amazing Cancer Kid, documenting his mother’s battle with a rare form of cervical cancer. The videos unbeknownst to him, inspired people worldwide; people battling cancer, those who have loved ones with cancer, and also boosted the morale of those in the field fighting the disease. Meanwhile Gabriel Jr. learned the importance of empathy and gained new knowledge of his mother's disease and fight, paving the way towards healthier communication with his mom. Not only did the videos impact the viewers, but it helped Gabriel through the grief of watching his mother fight cancer. The show’s correspondents expound on the importance of sympathy and empathy towards people undergoing challenging times and highlight the power of using technology for spreading positive stories.

To conclude, 60 Minutes takes an in-depth dive into Netflix, providing viewers with a closer look at the online streaming giant's growth, impact on the entertainment industry and the quality of its original content. From there, the show moves onto a sober segment about diplomats that hide from death and terror strikes to safeguard their countries’ interests, concluding with an inspiring story about a boy named Gabriel Jr., who rose to the occasion in his mother's time of dire need by learning to empathize with her condition and inspire others through a medium that technology provides.