Netflix Q3 Earnings Preview: Will 'KPop Demon Hunters' Help Streamer Beat Estimates?

Core Viewpoint - Netflix is set to report its third-quarter financial results, with a focus on management commentary regarding subscriber retention and growth, especially since the company no longer discloses subscriber figures [1]. Earnings Estimates - Analysts anticipate Netflix will report third-quarter revenue of $11.51 billion, an increase from $9.82 billion in the same quarter last year [2]. - Expected earnings per share (EPS) for the third quarter is $6.97, up from $5.40 in the previous year [2]. - The company has consistently exceeded revenue estimates for eight consecutive quarters [2]. Analyst Insights - A strong content lineup, including "KPop Demon Hunters" and live sporting events, is expected to help Netflix meet its revenue guidance [4]. - Bank of America Securities analyst Jessica Reif Ehrlich maintains a Buy rating with a price target of $1,490, citing subscriber momentum from ad-supported plans and live events [5]. - The integration with Amazon.com in the fourth quarter is expected to enhance ad-buying options and improve ad demand for Netflix [5]. Key Content Highlights - The third-quarter content slate features the successful "KPop Demon Hunters," which has achieved 325.1 million views and has been in the top 10 English-language films on Netflix for 17 weeks [6][7]. - The upcoming fourth quarter will see the release of the fifth season of "Stranger Things" and two NFL games on Christmas Day, which are anticipated to be highly viewed [10]. Subscriber Growth and Revenue - Although Netflix does not disclose subscriber figures, revenue growth in various regions and overall health updates may indicate higher membership numbers [11]. - The ad-supported plan is a significant growth area, aimed at increasing revenue per subscriber as overall subscriber growth matures [12]. Market Context - Netflix faces external pressures regarding content labeled as "woke," with notable figures like Elon Musk calling for cancellations, which may impact subscriber strength [13]. - As of the latest trading, Netflix stock closed at $1,238.56, reflecting a year-to-date increase of 39.7% [14].