JAMIE CARR: Netflix’s bonanza of content
Investors and lenders seem happy to keep doling out piles of cash to Netflix
Ever since the streaming giant slumped to a distinctly non-festive low on Christmas Eve, the season of goodwill to all men has been remarkably kind to its shareholders. The share price has been rising like an unusually successful soufflé, going up 44% in 13 trading days as it enters 2019. The excitement comes ahead of Netflix’s fourth-quarter results on January 17, and the market is clearly expecting fireworks to justify the eye-watering quantities of loot the company is throwing into production. Netflix is planning to spend more than $13bn on film and TV series production this year, considerably more than any other network or film studio. The company is going through cash like a sailor on shore leave as it chases subscriber growth, with last reported numbers of 137-million still some way short of the critical mass it will need to break even. It’s had critical success, with Roma being nominated for seven Bafta awards and picking up a Golden Globe, while the company tweeted that Bird...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.