Netflix wrapped up the holiday season with a bang, pulling in nearly 19 million new subscribers and smashing expectations. The subscriber surge shows that the streaming giant’s gamble on live programming and a cheeky price hike paid off in spades. It’s a clear reminder that, when drawing a crowd, Netflix knows how to put on a show—on and off the screen. 

Between October and December 2024, Netflix’s live programming included headline-grabbing events like the controversial Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match and two NFL games on Christmas Day—strange times, indeed. As for what’s next, could Netflix surprise us with live knitting competitions? Only if they can weave in an ad tier for luxury yarn.

Netflix’s dive into live content isn’t just about bolstering its ad game—it’s turning out to be a big draw for loyal subscribers and fresh faces. By the time it clicked into 2025, Netflix had hit 300 million global subscribers, landing an additional 41 million new sign-ups compared to the previous year.

However, Netflix is shaking things up: this will be the last quarter it reports subscriber counts, shifting its focus to financial performance. And those numbers are worth moving for. The company reported US$1.9 billion in earnings, or US$4.27 per share, nearly doubling its performance from the same quarter in 2023. Revenue jumped 16%, reaching US$10.25 billion. Reeling in millions of viewers is just as lucrative as it sounds—like the golden age of cable TV, minus the cords but with plenty of ads.

Regarding ads, Netflix is leaning harder into its advertising strategy, introduced in late 2022 via a lower-cost subscription tier. All live programming now comes with advertisements, paving the way for lucrative partnerships with big names like the NFL, WWE, and the Women’s World Cup. While Netflix has been tight-lipped about advertising revenue, the company admits it’s still a modest stream—for now. Super Bowl-level ad dollars might not be rolling in yet, but you can bet Netflix is playing the long game. 

Netflix hasn’t forgotten what its fans love most: blockbuster scripted content. Diehard Stranger Things and You fans can gear up for both series' fifth and final seasons, while Cobra Kai will bow out with the third and final part of its sixth season. The hilariously awkward and critically acclaimed Big Mouth will also wrap things up with its eighth and final season in 2025.

But it’s not just about wrapping up fan favourites—Netflix is adding plenty of fresh content to keep viewers hooked. Robert De Niro leads a star-studded cast in Zero Day, a six-episode political thriller exploring cyberattacks and conspiracy theories, premiering February 20. In March, Uzo Aduba and Giancarlo Esposito star in The Residence, a quirky White House murder mystery with a cast of 157 suspects and one wildly eccentric detective.

Kate Hudson leads in Running Point, a sports-themed comedy about a woman taking charge of her family’s legendary basketball franchise. Julianne Moore stars in Sirens, a darkly comedic exploration of class, power, and manipulation set in a lavish beach estate. Meanwhile, Jason Bateman and Jude Law team up for Black Rabbit, a pitched as a gripping drama about family ties, escalating dangers, and the fallout from reopening old wounds.

Other new offerings include Death By Lightning, a stranger-than-fiction drama about President James Garfield and his assassin, and Apple Cider Vinegar, a darkly humorous look at the rise and fall of a wellness empire set during the birth of Instagram. Netflix is also diving into its first-ever medical procedural drama with Pulse, set in Miami’s busiest trauma centre.

With a mix of returning fan favourites and an exciting slate of fresh titles, Netflix is ensuring plenty to keep us streaming—and forgiving any price hikes—well into 2025.

Netflix isn’t shy about pushing its luck on pricing, with increases slated for the US, Canada, Portugal, and Argentina in the coming weeks. Historically, these hikes hover around US$1–2 per month. And while price bumps usually come with grumbles, Netflix seems confident that the FOMO of missing the next big show (or Jake Paul throwing punches) will keep cancellation rates low. The company has even nudged its 2025 revenue forecast up to US$44 billion, a 13% increase from last year.



After the announcement, Netflix shares got a nice 3% bump in after-hours trading, capping off an already stellar 2024, which saw stock soared an impressive 83%! These gains confirm that Netflix is the king of streaming and added almost US$200 billion to shareholders' pockets. If they keep this trajectory up, they might need a whole new series to explain how to count all those zeros.

So, will shareholders be the only ones cheering? Not quite. In this writer’s humble opinion, it’s us—the fans—who truly win. Record-breaking revenue and steady price hikes mean one thing: more investment in content, more productions, and more unforgettable moments. After all, who wouldn’t want to see what’s next for Eleven, her friends in Hawkins, and the battle against the Upside Down? Bring it on.

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