Netflix has 325 million users

In the past quarter, Netflix reached 325 million users worldwide – 25 million more than in the previous year's quarter, when Netflix first broke the sound barrier of 300 million subscribers. Revenue also grew in the same period: Netflix generated $12 billion in revenue during this period, about 17 percent more than in the previous year's quarter. Net profit was $2.42 billion, also more than in the previous year.

The growth in revenue and users can largely be attributed to the success of ad-supported subscriptions. Many new users are opting for the ad-supported subscription, which in Germany offers a cheaper monthly price of 5 euros and displays advertisements in return. Just under a third of Netflix users use the ad-supported subscription.

The ad-supported subscription allows Netflix to tap into new user groups. Furthermore, the offering is financially attractive for Netflix because the streaming service can generate advertising revenue in addition to subscription fees. In the past quarter, advertising revenue amounted to $1.5 billion. That's twice as much as in the previous year's quarter, said Netflix CEO Greg Peters in an investor call. Peters expects advertising revenue to double again by 2026.

Netflix's pursuit of Warner Bros.

To continue growing, Netflix wants to acquire the entertainment division of Warner Bros. Discovery for around $83 billion. Warner's board supports the Netflix offer, which was recently improved again. However, there is competition in the form of Paramount: The media company has made its own hostile takeover bid to sway shareholders.

While Netflix is only interested in the entertainment division, including the streaming service HBO Max, Paramount wants to take over the entire company. Paramount is therefore also interested in the news business of Warner Bros. Discovery, which includes CNN and TNT. Larry Ellison, the father of Paramount CEO David Ellison, is considered a supporter of US President Trump.

(dahe)