THB #665: Netflix Q4 Day

Netflix is a funny thing.

The company has been brilliant. There can be no argument.

Yet when the media discusses the details when quarterlies come out, like they did today, they often seem to miss the point and the history.

For instance, Netflix has had a remarkable 16% growth in subscriptions over the last year. This is a fairly mature business and they had a lull in growth before this. Very positive.

But…

But here is the thing… the tools of this growth were varied and 2 of the 3 tools (password crackdown and the first NFL games/start of RAW/launch of Squid Game 2) have have natural expiration dates. The third tool is at the core of the future of the company and will be from now on… advertising on the streamer.

The other thing that drives me crazy is the constant insistence on the idea that Streaming is a winnable competition between the various major players. I am tired of talking about the hard fact that all the other majors gave Netflix at least a 5 year headstart. (Stupidly, but real…