The leading platform in the streaming market has just closed out its fourth quarter by soaring past 282 million subscribers worldwide. Still the domineering force in the streaming industry, Netflix is reaping the benefits of a bold strategy catering to sports fans and gamers.
According to media analyst Michael Pachter, Netflix has established an “insurmountable lead” in the market as competitors struggle to replicate its business model with the same success. As per Reuters, the streaming giant has gained over 9 million subscriber additions during the holiday quarter. The platform’s recent veering toward sports may have played a major part in this recent increase.
Netflix concluded 2024 on a strong note with two NFL football games on Christmas Day averaging 30 million viewers on the global stage, and a buzzworthy fight between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson, viewed by a whopping 60 million households. The heavyweight boxing match even peaked at 65 million “concurrent streams” according to the streamer’s data. Meanwhile, 50 million households tuned in to watch the co-main event opposing Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano.
Although sports documentaries have long been part of the streamer’s strategic vision, from series about NBA’s greats to docuseries taking a behind-the-scenes look at the tennis world, Netflix is now going all out on live sports streaming. Last December, the company struck a historic deal with FIFA over the exclusive broadcasting rights for the next Women’s World Cup tournament in the United States. Earlier in 2024, the entertainment giant had agreed to a decade-long deal with the WWE to air its flagship weekly program, Raw, in the US and Britain.
The streaming pioneer has added more high-profile sports content to its catalog to earn extra advertising dollars, as advertisers usually pay above the usual rate for ad placements during live events attracting large crowds. Considering the streamer’s mainstream appeal, it is no wonder that Beyoncé signed in to perform at halftime during the latest NFL games. This sports-oriented strategy overlaps with the streamer’s cultural influence, showcasing its expertise in blending athleticism with entertainment, while cementing its edge among younger audiences – and expanding its subscriber base among this specific demographic.
Netflix’s gaming efforts follow the same long-term goal. The streamer first dabbled into video games in 2021 with titles tying into its popular shows, such as Stranger Things: The Game. Since then, the world’s largest streaming service has made gaming one of its top priorities. The company hired a former EA executive and brought onboard celebrated developers like Halo’s Joseph Staten to lead its big push into the gaming world. It now gives subscribers free access to a vast selection of cloud-streamed games.
Only recently, the multiplayer party royale experience Squid Game: Unleashed came out alongside the much-anticipated second season of the Korean hit show. For the first time, Netflix made one of its games accessible to any player, including non-Netflix members. For every episode they watched, gamers could earn in-game rewards to level up their characters.
As of early 2025, Netflix subscribers can access over 120 exclusive games, from RPGs and simulation games to tabletop classics. Obviously, the platform’s lobby still pales in comparison with the sheer variety on display on dedicated online platforms, where players can enjoy everything from live poker sessions to 3D machine slots.
On top-rated websites, users may even claim free spins to get extra chances at hitting the jackpot. These bonuses are often designed for newcomers as part of welcome packages. First-time players can compare the best offers on specialized websites, where industry experts analyze their advantages and drawbacks. They may also find handy guidelines and learning material online.
Netflix hasn’t gained the upper hand in gaming yet. However, the streamer has consolidated its strategy by launching a string of new titles and greenlighting many Netflix originals based on beloved IPs, such as Tomb Raider and League of Legends. From Arcane to Angry Birds, the worlds of video games and TV series are ever-so-intertwined on Netflix. The streamer’s recent push toward live sporting events has also driven subscriber growth and ad revenue.
Analysts and investors await further reports on Tuesday, the last Netflix reports subscriber additions. Starting from 2025, the company aims to focus on other performance metrics like profit. Although subscriptions have been slowing down overall, despite the continuous expansion of ad-tier membership, a strong content line-up for the coming year should strengthen Netflix’s position as the undisputable winner of the streaming wars.
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