Key Points Netflix's ad revenue exploded in 2025. The company has been focused on scaling its ad-supported plans at the expense of monetization. Ad-supported subscribers are less valuable than other subscribers, leaving a gap that the company is now trying to close. 10 stocks we like better than Netflix › After years of keeping ads off its platform, Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) introduced its first ad-supported plan in late 2022. Growth was slowing at the time, and by offering a lower monthly price, Ne ...

Core Insights - Netflix is experiencing a significant shift in strategy with the proposed acquisition of Warner Bros., moving away from its traditional "build-not-buy" philosophy, which has raised skepticism among investors [1][2][58] - Engagement metrics have become a focal point for Netflix, with the company emphasizing the importance of understanding different types of engagement to drive revenue growth [9][10][25] - The acquisition of Warner Bros. is seen as a strategic move to enhance Netflix's content library and production capabilities, with expectations of improved subscriber retention and revenue generation [45][52][54] Engagement Metrics - Engagement is now a critical metric for Netflix, with the company acknowledging that its revenue per hour viewed is currently the lowest among streaming competitors, indicating potential for price increases [9][10] - Different types of engagement are recognized, with live events being highlighted as significant for driving buzz and signups, although they currently represent a small fraction of Netflix's total content portfolio [12][18][22] - The company aims to better understand and quantify the value of various engagement types to enhance its business model and drive growth [25][34] Warner Bros. Acquisition - The acquisition is justified by the complementary nature of Warner Bros.' theatrical and production capabilities, which are expected to synergize with Netflix's streaming model [46][50] - Netflix believes that Warner Bros.' existing content library is underexploited and that the company can leverage its global footprint to drive more viewership [51][53] - The deal is projected to be accretive to Netflix's business, with multiple drivers of value including increased subscriber numbers, higher revenue per subscriber, and enhanced advertising opportunities [52][54] Industry Dynamics - The competitive landscape is evolving, with Netflix identifying YouTube as a formidable competitor due to its significant viewer engagement and diverse content offerings [72][74] - The company acknowledges the importance of professional content over user-generated content, emphasizing the rarity of high-level storytelling as a sustainable competitive advantage [76][77] - Netflix's strategy includes adapting to changing market conditions and consumer preferences, which has historically allowed the company to pivot quickly in response to new challenges [66][68]

Core Viewpoint - Netflix, Inc. (NFLX) reported Q4 earnings that exceeded market estimates, leading to a surprising market reaction [1] Financial Performance - The earnings call provided substantial information that reinforced positive assumptions about the company's performance [1] Analyst Insights - The analysis is fundamentally focused on identifying undervalued stocks with growth potential, indicating a value investment approach [1]

Core Viewpoint - Netflix, Inc. (NFLX) reported Q4 earnings that exceeded market estimates, leading to a surprising market reaction [1] Financial Performance - The earnings call provided substantial information that reinforced positive assumptions about the company's performance [1] Analyst Insights - The analysis is fundamentally focused on identifying undervalued stocks with growth potential, indicating a value investment approach [1]

Core Viewpoint - Netflix's shares declined over 4% intra-day following weaker-than-expected guidance while pursuing a significant acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery's studio and streaming assets [1] Financial Performance - For Q4 ended December 31, Netflix reported earnings of $0.56 per diluted share on revenue of $12.05 billion, slightly exceeding analyst expectations of $0.55 per share and $11.97 billion in revenue [2] - The company ended the year with 325 million global paid subscribers, and advertising revenue more than doubled from 2024, reaching over $1.5 billion [2] Future Guidance - For Q1, Netflix forecasts earnings of $0.76 per share on revenue of $12.16 billion, below analyst estimates of $0.81 per share and $12.19 billion in revenue [3] - For the full year 2026, projected revenue is between $50.7 billion and $51.7 billion, compared to forecasts of $51.03 billion, indicating annual revenue growth of 12% to 14%, a slowdown from the 16% growth rate in 2025 [3] Content and Market Dynamics - The company noted a decline in viewing hours for non-branded licensed content due to increased licensing activity in 2023 and 2024, influenced by the 148-day Writers Guild of America strike that affected production [4] - The guidance was released alongside news of Netflix enhancing its $72 billion offer for Warner Bros.' studios and HBO Max streaming business, aiming to strengthen its competitive position against Paramount Skydance [4]

Core Viewpoint - Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison is extending the January 21 deadline for shareholders of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) to accept his $30-a-share hostile offer, without increasing the offer price [1][4][11] Group 1: Offer and Negotiations - Ellison's team plans to extend the tender deadline to convince shareholders to reject Netflix's $72 billion all-cash offer [5][6] - WBD CEO David Zaslav is pushing for an earlier shareholder vote on the Netflix deal, moving it to February from May [2][4] - Ellison and his partners are considering increasing their offer to as high as $33 a share, potentially raising the total deal cost to around $80 billion [7] Group 2: Legal and Regulatory Aspects - Paramount Skydance is pursuing a lawsuit to demonstrate that Zaslav conducted an unfair bidding process favoring Netflix due to his friendship with Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos [5][9] - Ellison and Cardinale are meeting with European and UK regulators, who appear more amenable to approving their deal compared to Netflix's proposal [12] - There are concerns regarding Netflix's regulatory hurdles due to its potential market control after merging with WBD's HBO Max [12][16] Group 3: Market Context - Netflix has lost approximately $170 billion in stock market value since summer, raising questions about its spending on assets not central to its business model [8] - Wall Street bankers believe that Paramount Skydance has at least one more bid left before potentially withdrawing from the negotiations [15]

Core Viewpoint - Netflix reported broadly positive quarterly earnings, but shares declined due to softer Q1 guidance and cost concerns related to acquisitions [1][2]. Financial Performance - EPS was $0.56, slightly above the expected $0.55, and revenue reached approximately $12.05 billion, also above forecasts [2]. - Subscriber growth remained strong, exceeding 325 million paid members globally [2]. - Management forecasts full-year 2026 revenue between $50.7 billion and $51.7 billion, with expanding ad revenue [2]. Historical Performance - Over the last decade, Netflix has compounded at an impressive annual rate of 23.4%, driven by consistent growth in sales and earnings [3]. Market Position - Netflix is the leader in streaming, with advantages in scale, data, and content that few competitors can match [5]. - Revenue growth is expected in the low double digits for this year and next, while earnings are projected to grow in the low-to-mid 20% range [5]. Valuation - The stock is trading at approximately 27.2x forward earnings, which is a discount to its five-year median multiple of 37.1x, suggesting a cautious market outlook [6]. Long-term Goals - Management aims to double revenue by 2030 and reach a $1 trillion market capitalization, supported by a diversified growth strategy beyond traditional content [7]. - Current market capitalization is $370 billion, and achieving long-term goals will require sustained execution [8].

About this content About Emily Jarvie Emily began her career as a political journalist for Australian Community Media in Hobart, Tasmania. After she relocated to Toronto, Canada, she reported on business, legal, and scientific developments in the emerging psychedelics sector before joining Proactive in 2022. She brings a strong journalism background with her work featured in newspapers, magazines, and digital publications across Australia, Europe, and North America, including The Examiner, The Advocate, ...

Core Viewpoint - Netflix continues to demonstrate strong growth in its subscriber base, surpassing revenue expectations, while facing stock price volatility and maintaining a significant market presence [2][3][4]. Group 1: Subscriber Growth and Revenue - Netflix's subscriber base has grown to over 325 million, showcasing its success in attracting new viewers globally [2][5]. - The company has surpassed Wall Street's revenue expectations for its holiday quarter, indicating robust financial performance [2][5]. Group 2: Stock Performance - The current stock price of Netflix is $84.04, reflecting a decrease of 3.69% or $3.22 [3][5]. - Over the past year, Netflix's stock has experienced significant volatility, with a high of $134.12 and a low of $82.11 [3]. Group 3: Market Capitalization and Trading Activity - Netflix's market capitalization is approximately $384.02 billion, highlighting its substantial presence in the market [4]. - The trading volume for Netflix today is 46.62 million shares, indicating active investor interest [4]. Group 4: Analyst Ratings - Deutsche Bank has maintained a "Hold" rating for Netflix and raised its price target from $95 to $98 [1][5].

Core Viewpoint - Netflix remains a dominant player in the streaming video industry, with strong financial results that continue to impress despite a recent decline in stock price [2]. Financial Performance - In Q4, Netflix reported a revenue increase of 17.6% year over year, reaching $12.05 billion, and diluted EPS of $0.56, which is a 30% increase [4]. - The company exceeded analysts' expectations, with consensus estimates of $11.97 billion in revenue and $0.55 in EPS [4]. Membership and Engagement - Netflix surpassed 325 million paid memberships in Q4, up from 302 million at the end of 2024 [5]. - Viewing hours increased by 2%, driven by a 9% rise in Netflix Originals viewership, highlighting strong audience engagement [6]. Advertising Revenue - The "basic with ads" tier has become a significant growth driver, with ad revenue soaring 250% year over year to over $1.5 billion [5]. Future Outlook - The company forecasts revenue growth of approximately 13% to $51.2 billion for the full year, with ad revenue expected to double [7]. - Operating income is projected at around $16.1 billion, resulting in an operating margin of 31.5% [7].