NFLX Stays Ahead in Streaming Wars, Eyes Ad-Supported Growth
Despite intense competition, Netflix (NFLX) continues to expand its subscriber base, recently adding 19 million members in Q4 2024. Total memberships now stand at 302 million globally, while annual revenue surged 16% to $39 billion.
Industry experts believe Netflix's lead remains substantial, with the company accounting for less than 10% of television viewing in its operating countries. Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos emphasized the potential for growth, with users averaging 2 hours of streaming daily.
Ironically, as traditional media giants prioritize streaming, Netflix sees opportunities in advertising and live events. Its ad-supported tier is expected to drive revenue growth in 2026, with half of new memberships attributed to this plan.
Netflix has recently achieved success with live events, such as the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight and the NFL Christmas Day games. The company plans to further capitalize on this trend with scheduled events in 2025, including a full year of WWE Raw and undisclosed events in sports and comedy.
Furthermore, Netflix has secured the streaming rights for the Women's World Cups in 2027 and 2031. These strategic moves position the company for continued dominance in the streaming landscape and the expansion of its ad-supported model.