I use AWS extensively, but to be completely fair, Netflix doesn't really care about operations costs. Yes, seriously. Their media licensing is so much more expensive, they do not optimize bang-for-buck, going as far as using larger instances (to avoid noisy neighbor problems) that are much less cost effective.
So while AWS might be completely worth it for some people (it is for us), Netflix isn't the best argument :).
"Netflix doesn't really care about operations costs."
Considering that they're a publicly traded company, they have a fiduciary duty to watch all costs. Though server costs don't compare in relation to media licensing, I'm sure they pay some attention.
That is not how fiduciary duty works. The company's duties require it to make good-faith decisions regarding spending, which can include a good-faith decision that it is not worth their time or energy to chase nickels and dimes.
I stated that a responsable fiduciary monitors where they spend their money. This then allows them to make good-faith decisions. I never said that they're trying to chase nickels and dimes on the ops front.
So while AWS might be completely worth it for some people (it is for us), Netflix isn't the best argument :).