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The Netflix series ‘Squid Game’ is played on a mobile phone in this illustration. Picture: REUTERS/KIM HONG-JI
Bengaluru — The success of the South Korean dystopian drama series Squid Game has led investors to bet on Netflix’s plans to explore more international content to boost slowing subscriber growth.
With a 111-million-strong fan base in just 27 days after its release, the low-cost survival drama has become Netflix’s biggest original show launch, underpinning its efforts to ramp up investments in overseas content.
“We continue to view international expansion as a key driver of subscriber growth, particularly in less-penetrated, emerging markets,” Guggenheim analysts said in a client note.
In the first half of the year, the streaming giant reported its slowest pace of subscriber additions since 2013 due to the coronavirus-led break in production. But, as Squid Game became an instant worldwide sensation after launching towards the end of the third quarter, analysts said actual global subscriber additions can topple estimates of 3.8-million and benefit in the next three months too.
Netflix has lost a lot of market share since the onset of the pandemic as newer, more exclusive platforms gained quick popularity from stay-at-home entertainment seekers.
Apple TV+, for instance, is banking on the success of Ted Lasso and raised its share of the global streaming pie by 75% this year, according to research firm Parrot Analytics.
Netflix’s most formidable challenger Disney+ sits on a base of 116-million paying subscribers in a short span of two years.
Meanwhile, AT&T-owned HBO Max raised its global subscribers forecast to 70-million to 73-million by July, indicating the preference to stream content-on-demand is here to stay. International shows like Money Heist, Lupin and The Crown have drawn cross-border fame and several Emmy award nominations, helping steady the overseas subscriber growth.
“The streaming wars, as they now stand, are not a battle to unseat Netflix within viewers’ homes, but rather to earn a place alongside the red giant,” MoffettNathanson analysts said in a research note.
Bloomberg News reported that Squid Games would add about $900m to the company’s value, citing internal documents.
Analysts estimate Netflix’s third-quarter revenue to grow 16.14% to $7.48bn when it reports results on Tuesday. Earnings per share are estimated at $2.56. At Friday’s close, its shares had gained about 16% so far this year.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
‘Squid Game’ ramps up Netflix’s overseas growth
Bengaluru — The success of the South Korean dystopian drama series Squid Game has led investors to bet on Netflix’s plans to explore more international content to boost slowing subscriber growth.
With a 111-million-strong fan base in just 27 days after its release, the low-cost survival drama has become Netflix’s biggest original show launch, underpinning its efforts to ramp up investments in overseas content.
“We continue to view international expansion as a key driver of subscriber growth, particularly in less-penetrated, emerging markets,” Guggenheim analysts said in a client note.
In the first half of the year, the streaming giant reported its slowest pace of subscriber additions since 2013 due to the coronavirus-led break in production. But, as Squid Game became an instant worldwide sensation after launching towards the end of the third quarter, analysts said actual global subscriber additions can topple estimates of 3.8-million and benefit in the next three months too.
Netflix has lost a lot of market share since the onset of the pandemic as newer, more exclusive platforms gained quick popularity from stay-at-home entertainment seekers.
Apple TV+, for instance, is banking on the success of Ted Lasso and raised its share of the global streaming pie by 75% this year, according to research firm Parrot Analytics.
Netflix’s most formidable challenger Disney+ sits on a base of 116-million paying subscribers in a short span of two years.
Meanwhile, AT&T-owned HBO Max raised its global subscribers forecast to 70-million to 73-million by July, indicating the preference to stream content-on-demand is here to stay. International shows like Money Heist, Lupin and The Crown have drawn cross-border fame and several Emmy award nominations, helping steady the overseas subscriber growth.
“The streaming wars, as they now stand, are not a battle to unseat Netflix within viewers’ homes, but rather to earn a place alongside the red giant,” MoffettNathanson analysts said in a research note.
Bloomberg News reported that Squid Games would add about $900m to the company’s value, citing internal documents.
Analysts estimate Netflix’s third-quarter revenue to grow 16.14% to $7.48bn when it reports results on Tuesday. Earnings per share are estimated at $2.56. At Friday’s close, its shares had gained about 16% so far this year.
Reuters
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