AFTER a year like this, Netflix shows no signs of chilling.

The dominant online video streamer started 2018 with almost 118 million subscribers, went on to win its first feature-film Oscar, briefly surpassed Disney as the most valuable U.S. media company, lured the likes of superstar show runners Shonda Rhimes, Kenya Barris and Ryan Murphy — not to mention Barack and Michelle Obama — and is expected to end the year with 146 million subscribers and a likely best picture Oscar nominee in “Roma.”

For a dominating 12 months, Netflix has been named The Associated Press Entertainer of the Year, voted by members of the news cooperative.

“There’s been so much amazing entertainment this year, and we’re proud of the part we’ve played and humbled by this recognition from the AP,” Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s chief content officer, said Thursday after being told of the honor.

Netflix topped other candidates including Donald Glover, Ariana Grande, Bradley Cooper and Michelle Obama, among others. Previous AP Entertainer of the Year winners have included Lin-Manuel Miranda, Adele, Taylor Swift, Jennifer Lawrence, Lady Gaga, Tina Fey and Betty White.

Though Netflix doesn’t release ratings, 2018 was a year when it seemed to really flex its digital muscles, showing off its deep reservoir of titles, from original unscripted shows to those produced in other countries, to even becoming a home for shows canceled elsewhere.

The company that once concentrated on sending DVDs through the mail in little red envelopes scored its first feature-film Oscar in March, with a best documentary trophy going to “Icarus,” Bryan Fogel’s investigation into doping in sports. (Netflix won its first ever Oscar last year with the short doc “The White Helmets.”)

Netflix movies, specials and shows were all over popular culture this year, including “The Kissing Booth,” “Nanette,” “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before,” “The Kominsky Method,” “The Haunting of Hill House,” “GLOW,” “Lost in Space,” “The Great British Baking Show,” “Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat” and “Queer Eye.” “House of Cards”  — Netflix’s first original series  — debuted just six years ago.

It has backed such Oscar bait as “Roma” and “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs” and TV fans await more episodes from “Stranger Things,” “The Crown” “Orange Is the New Black” and “Ozark.” The company has even seen the phrase “Netflix and chill” part of the mainstream vocabulary.

Netflix knocked HBO off its longtime perch — 18 years —  as the most nominated Emmy Award platform, eventually earning 112 nods. The streaming behemoth went on to tie the premium cable network with 23 wins at the Emmy Awards.

(SD-Agencies)