Netflix breaks records in Q4 with hits like ‘The Crown’ and ‘The Killer’

admin 2024年4月27日

Vocabulary:

I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.

exceed /ik-SEED/

[verb] – to be greater than a number or amount, or to go past an allowed limit
The company’s sales exceeded expectations, reaching a new record in the fourth quarter.

consensus /kuhn-SEN-suhs /

[noun] – the average or general expectation or agreement among financial analysts or experts regarding a particular financial metric, such as per-share earnings
The tech company’s quarterly profits of $1.90 per share fell short of consensus estimates by 5 cents, disappointing investors who were expecting stronger financial performance.

revenue /REV-uhn-yoo/

[noun] – the income that a government or company receives regularly
The company’s annual revenue increased significantly due to successful product launches and expanded market share.

anticipate /an-TIS-uh-peyt/

[verb] – to imagine or expect that something will happen
As the project manager, I anticipate smooth collaboration among team members, ensuring a successful outcome.

sector /SEK-ter/

[noun] – one of the areas into which the economic activity of a country is divided
The technology sector experienced rapid growth, with innovative advancements driving economic development.

Article reading:

Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.

Netflix exceeded Wall Street expectations in its fourth quarter (Q4) performance on January 23, with a robust lineup of shows contributing to its success. The streaming giant added a staggering 13.1 million subscribers in the December quarter, surpassing projections of 8.97 million. This marked its largest-ever fourth-quarter growth, bringing the total number of subscribers to an impressive 260 million. Netflix’s shares saw an 8.3% surge in after-hours trading, concluding a remarkable 65% gain in stock value throughout 2023.

Bank of America’s media analyst, Jessica Reif Ehrlich, noted that Netflix has emerged victorious in the “streaming wars.” Despite falling slightly short of consensus estimates with per-share earnings of $2.11, the company reported revenue of $8.8 billion, surpassing both forecasts and its own guidance. Netflix credits its success to a strong portfolio of intellectual properties, including hits like “Squid Game: The Challenge” and “All the Light We Cannot See.” Co-CEO Ted Sarandos expressed excitement about the studios being more open to licensing, emphasizing Netflix’s readiness for business during the investor livestream. Looking ahead, Netflix anticipates healthy double-digit revenue growth for 2024, emphasizing continued investment in its advertising business and predicting a shift in advertising becoming a primary driver of revenue growth by 2025. The company also highlighted the potential for growth in the gaming sector, citing a tripled engagement in its early foray into the games business. With plans to increase spending on content, including a significant deal with World Wrestling Entertainment, Netflix aims for strategic, responsible growth in the evolving media landscape.

Discussion Questions:

I will read each question. Then, please answer them.

Have you ever subscribed to a streaming service like Netflix and experienced a sudden surge in its popularity or success? If so, how did it impact your viewing habits? If not, how do you think the availability of popular shows influences people’s decisions to subscribe?
Based on the article, can you recall a time when a company exceeded expectations, similar to Netflix’s fourth-quarter performance? How do you think such success might influence the company’s future strategies?
Do you think Netflix’s strategy of investing in a diverse portfolio of shows and expanding into gaming is a wise move for its future growth?
Considering Netflix’s success in the streaming wars, what challenges do you think other streaming platforms might face in competing with such a dominant player, and how might they overcome these challenges?
How do you think the shift towards advertising as the main source of revenue by 2025 will impact the way users experience platforms like Netflix? What positive and negative effects can you imagine resulting from this transformation?

Summarization

Please summarize the whole article using your own words and expressions. You will have one minute to prepare before you answer.

Describe:

Please explain the definition of each word listed below based on your understanding. You can provide example sentences if needed.

readiness
evolving
victorious
subscriber
livestream