Netflix profits surge off ads, higher subscription prices
Revenue climbed 16 percent to $11.1-billion in the quarter ended June 30, beating analyst estimates and the company's own guidance, while net profit surged to $3.1-billion.
The company raised its full-year revenue forecast, noting that it expects revenue to be between $44.8-billion and $45.2-billion in 2025, up from a range of $43.5-billion to $44.5-billion.
Netflix highlighted strong performance from its content offers in the quarter, with major hits including the third season of "Squid Game," which drew 122 million views.
It "has already become our sixth biggest season of any series in our history, with just a few weeks of viewing so far," the company said in a statement.
Other standout titles included the third season of "Ginny & Georgia" with 53 million views and "Sirens" with 56 million views.
There was also the animated film "KPop Demon Hunters" with 80 million views, which became "one of our biggest animated films ever" and generated a soundtrack that topped music charts globally.
"Korean content continues to be popular with our audience," the company said, pointing to the continued success of international programming that has become a hallmark of Netflix's global strategy.
Netflix expressed optimism about the second half of 2025, highlighting an upcoming slate that includes the highly anticipated second season of "Wednesday," the final season of "Stranger Things" and new films from major directors including Kathryn Bigelow and Guillermo del Toro.
The company has also announced plans to expand live programming with marquee boxing matches and NFL games, as it continues to diversify its content offerings beyond traditional on-demand entertainment.
Netflix shares have surged more than 40 percent year-to-date as investors have responded positively to the company's shift toward profitability, which saw it crack down on password sharing and turn to ads for more revenue.
The company counted over 300 million subscribers last December, at the end of a particularly successful holiday season, when it gained almost 19 million new subscriptions.
But the company no longer discloses these figures, in order to focus on audience "engagement" metrics (time spent watching content).
In the quarter, Netflix continued to build out its advertising capabilities, saying that it expects to roughly double ads revenue in 2025, though it did not provide specific figures.
The service is forecasting $9-billion in revenues from its ad-based subscriptions by 2030.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
14 hours ago
- The South African
'Kpop Demon Hunters' becomes Netflix's most-watched animation
Netflix's animated film Kpop Demon Hunters has smashed records globally. It has become the platform's biggest original animated movie with over 132 million views in under two months. Released on 20 June, this K-pop-inspired action adventure has rapidly captivated audiences, surpassing the previous record-holder, the 2023 Adam Sandler film Leo. The story revolves around Huntr/x, a girl group by day and demon hunters by night. They protect the human world with their singing but face a formidable new threat when the demonic boy band Saja Boys enters the scene. The voice cast boasts talented actors such as Arden Cho, May Hong, Ji-young Yoo, Daniel Dae Kim, and Ken Jeong. The film is directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, according to Games Radar. Appelhans has an impressive animation background with credits including Fantastic Mr. Fox and Puss in Boots. Kpop Demon Hunters has also earned critical acclaim, holding an impressive 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes and 92% audience approval. The soundtrack, featuring songs by renowned K-pop artists including members of TWICE, adds authenticity and appeal. Producer Maggie Kang emphasised the collaboration's importance: 'It's proof that we achieved what we set out to do, which is make a real K-pop group'. The film presents a unique blend of Korean pop culture and stunning animation, offering fresh, vibrant entertainment. The movie's fast rise underscores the growing global influence of K-pop and the appeal of diverse storytelling in animated films. Industry observers note that Netflix is already planning to expand the franchise with a live-action remake and two sequels, signalling Kpop Demon Hunters ' lasting impact. Kpop Demon Hunters represents a landmark moment for animated films and K-pop culture on global streaming platforms, inviting audiences everywhere to enjoy an exciting, musical demon-hunting adventure. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
17 hours ago
- The South African
Jenna Ortega turns heads at 'Wednesday' premiere
Jenna Ortega stunned audiences and fans alike as she unveiled a striking new look during the press tour for Wednesday Season 2, kicking off at the Paris premiere. The actress transformed her signature style by bleaching her eyebrows to a nearly invisible blonde shade. This added a bold, gothic edge that perfectly echoes the eerie and dark aura of her hit Netflix series. At the Paris premiere, Ortega's bleached eyebrows caught immediate attention. While it might have seemed she had shaved them off, it was clear the thick, dark arches were simply dyed, according to Page Six. This created the illusion of 'brows begone.' This daring choice accentuated her expressive features and reinforced the gothic sensibility fans have come to associate with her role as Wednesday Addams. 'I feel like I have a more Gothic vibe than I did when I was a teenager,' Jenna commented in a past interview. 'I've always been fascinated by dark themes, but as a Disney child, I was expected to be bubbly and sweet'. Stylist Cesar Ramirez complemented her look by styling Ortega's brunette hair in soft waves. Makeup artist Mélanie Inglessis employed a smoky eye with romantic, deep wine lips to enhance the mysterious allure. Her outfit choice for the premiere was a bold statement as well. Ortega wore an eye-catching Vivienne Westwood fall 2025 gown designed by Andreas Kronthaler. The dress featured a ruffled corset with a plunging neckline that flared below the hips. She accessorised with jewellery that echoed her character's dark, witchy style. This included a Loree Rodkin cross pendant necklace, a cross signet ring, and a Bondeye Jewellery diamond. Earlier in the week at the London press event, Ortega had showcased a semi-sheer, reptilian-inspired Ashi Studio fall 2025 couture gown. The gown had a high neck and peplum skirt, further underlining the thematic aesthetic of Wednesday . Her hair was pulled back into a low ponytail, allowing her bleached brows and radiant makeup to take centre stage. Wednesday Season 2 premieres on Netflix on 6 August, with subsequent episodes releasing on 3 September. Jenna Ortega's evolving look will no doubt continue to captivate viewers worldwide and highlight her commitment to embodying the gothic spirit of her iconic character. 'You're witnessing someone experimenting, exploring who they are, that's a natural part of growing up,' Jenna said. 'It's about embracing change and authenticity'. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE GOTHIC CHIC TREND IN MAINSTREAM FASHION? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
Mermaiding magic offers a playful escape
In a suburban Maryland swimming pool, amid scuba divers practicing with oxygen tanks and young children wearing floaties while holding paddle boards, more than a dozen technicolored mermaid tails glittered through the surface in the nine-foot deep end. The tails - fabric and silicone, purple and gold, some dotted with sequins or lined with seashells - swaddled the lower bodies of the swimmers, adorned with seashell crowns and necklaces, bright blue wigs and colorful streams of tinsel flowing through their hair. 'Go,' Margaret Emerick shouted, after the mermaids - most of them members of the Metro MerFolk Facebook group - undulated over to pool's back wall and assembled in a line. They then swam in pairs from one end of the Merritt Clubs swimming pool in Eldersburg to the other while a photographer filmed underwater, their fluttering tails creating what looked like an underwater kaleidoscope. Amid an era of escalating stress in which live-action role-playing and other forms of cosplay are a popular escape, 'mermaiding' is spreading through the Washington region - its lure attracting merfolk who are either looking for a unique form of exercise, a deep sense of community or something to take them out of their everyday human lives. 'Living here is fast; everything is fast. There's traffic. There's so many people, and it feels so suffocating sometimes,' said Montara Hewgill, a Gaithersburg resident who does supply-chain work for a company that makes space equipment. 'But, to escape into something magical, anything as far from this reality as you can, feels really nice, even if it's just for a couple of hours.' Although there is no official census, the mermaids of the Washington area estimate that they have the second-highest population in the country, behind Florida. In 2023, their community was featured heavily in the Netflix docuseries 'MerPeople,' which focused on several aspiring mermaids' volatile journeys to earn admittance into elite pods, such as the Circus Siren Pod in Laurel, Maryland.
