Netflix’s quarterly earnings rise 36 pct as DVD rental service gains 1.1 million subscribers

Netflix adds 1.1M customers, 4Q profit up 36 pct

SAN FRANCISCO — Netflix’s fourth-quarter profit surged 36 percent as its DVD-by-mail service surpassed 12 million subscribers.

The results announced Wednesday reflect the growing popularity of Netflix plans that bundle DVD rentals with unlimited video streaming over the Internet for as little as $9 per month.

Netflix added more than 1.1 million customers during the quarter — the most in any three-month period during its 11-year history.

The company earned $30.9 million, or 56 cents per share, in the quarter. That compared to $22.7 million, 38 cents per share, in the same period of 2008. The performance topped analyst estimates.

Revenue climbed 24 percent to $445 million.