Netflix just dropped its Q4 numbers, and calling it a middle finger to Wall Street would be an understatement. The company didn’t just beat expectations—it obliterated them, adding a record–breaking 19 million new subscribers and crossing the 300 million mark for paid memberships. That’s more than the population of the U.S., which means Netflix is practically a global monopoly that’s presumably mining the next generation of “Teen Mom” as we speak. 

(Source: Giphy) 

Now with that said, here’s whats interesting, Netflix is done reporting subscriber counts after this. That’s right, Q4 was the last time they’re giving you the number everyone’s been obsessing over. Instead, they’re rolling out some vague “engagement” metric twice a year, which is honestly a mic drop moment itself that practically screams “we’re so far ahead, we don’t have to play the game anymore”. 

The growth came from exactly what you’d expect: Netflix’s ability to dominate the cultural zeitgeist. Between Squid Game Season 2, a Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson circus, and NFL games that probably lured in a few Swifties hoping for a surprise halftime concert, the content slate was pure crack for subscribers. And if you think they’re slowing down, think again. 2025 is already locked and loaded with Stranger Things Season 5, Wednesday, and a Knives Out sequel, because apparently, Netflix has figured out how to monetize every corner of America’s attention span.

(Source: CNBC) 

What’s more is that Netflix is once again rising prices.  The Standard plan is now $17.99, Premium is up to $24.99, and even their ad-supported tier jumped a buck to $7.99. But let’s be honest: you’re not canceling. Netflix knows it, you know it, and your ex still stealing your password definitely knows it. The company is basically printing money at this point, backed by a $15 billion stock buyback that might as well be a giant middle finger to every other streamer bleeding cash.

Additionally, Netflix’s ad-supported tier is another power move. It grew 30% quarter-over-quarter and now accounts for over half of new sign-ups in markets where it’s available. Translation: Netflix is becoming an ad juggernaut while still charging you more to skip the ads. The audacity is almost impressive. They’re squeezing money out of advertisers and subscribers at the same time, all while telling Wall Street they’re “on track for ad scale” in 2025. If that sounds like a corporate mind-f**k, it’s because it is. Netflix is skull crushing everyone around them, and the train isn’t stopping.

(Source: Yahoo Finance) 

Meaning, here’s the uncomfortable truth for anyone not named Netflix: the streaming wars are over. Netflix won. Disney+ is flailing, Hulu is a rounding error, and Max is…well, whatever Max is supposed to be. The rest of the industry is stuck in a death spiral of overspending on content and under delivering on subscribers. Meanwhile, Netflix is out here breaking records, raising prices, and making it look easy—even while pissing everyone off with higher prices. 

In the end, Netflix proved once again they aren’t just a streaming service, but a cultural institution. They’ve figured out how to make you pay more for content you can’t quit, all while convincing Wall Street that the sky’s the limit. Everyone else? They’re just fighting for the crumbs at Netflix’s table.

Netflix, probably (Source: Giphy) 

For now, you know the drill. Keep an eye on Netflix and place your bets accordingly, friends. As always, stay safe and stay frosty! Until next time…

P.S. Trump is officially back in the White House, meaning we could see fireworks at any moment. Make sure you are prepared and deciphering the market for the most explosive opportunities with Stocks.News premium. Don’t say I didn’t warn ya! 

Stocks.News holds positions in Netflix and Disney as mentioned in the article.