Netflix announced that the number of paid users in the first quarter of this year surged by 15.77 million, more than double the expected number

Streaming giant Netflix announced on the 21st local time in the United States that the number of paying users in the first quarter of 2020 soared by 15.77 million, more than double the previously estimated 7 million, and the total number has now reached 182.9 million.

In terms of regions, Europe had the largest increase of 4.4 million people; North America had 2.31 million people; Asia Pacific had 3.6 million people; and Central and South America had an increase of 2.9 million people.

The dramatic increase in users is due to the spread of the epidemic and people's reduced outings. However, Netflix estimates that the number of users added in the second quarter will gradually return to normal levels, at around 7.5 million.