iWorld
Analysts express mixed views on Netflix Q2 growth
MUMBAI: Given the ferocity of Netflix’s growth, a Forbes report had predicted its impressive Q1 2018 result to continue in Q2 as well. In first quarter 2018, Netflix exceeded user addition forecasts along with a 43 per cent year over year growth. Forbes predicted growth in revenue and subscribers in Q2 too. In addition to that, the report says it could report revenues of around $3.9 billion. The result for Q2 is supposed to release on 16 July.
The previous quarter’s growth was fuelled by continued strong acquisition trends across the globe. Netflix attributed it to “the growing breadth of our content and the worldwide adoption of internet entertainment.” The international subscriber base of the over-the-top (OTT) platform increased at a rapid pace (42 per cent y-o-y).
Repeating the same trend in Q2, the report anticipates that the total subscriber base for both international and US streaming services could grow to over 130 million during the quarter. Netflix itself expects 6.2 million global net addition in Q2.On the contrary, Deutsche Bank told the OTT platform could miss Wall Street’s second-quarter subscriber expectations next week. “We don’t see 2Q earnings as a positive catalyst for the stock; in fact, we see some near term downside risk,” said analyst Bryan Kraft as quoted by CNBC. Following the prediction, company’s stock fell more than four percent Friday.
Despite that, Swinburne, a strong believer in Netflix’s growth, thinks Netflix is increasing its “competitive moat” against competitors. “On top of the ability to use data to improve its programming and marketing decisions, Netflix now brings to market a content offering that boasts $16 billion in net content value,” Swinburne wrote as quoted by Variety.
“As a result, other than live sports and news, we see the potential for Netflix to not just take share from other networks or channels, but to represent ‘TV’ for many households,” it added.
Many of the analysts believe India could be strength for the company in Q2 growth. Netflix is scaling up its business in India and planning more original content after already releasing Sacred Games. However, in the Indian market, Netflix has to face stiff competition from local platforms like Hotstar, Voot, ALTBalaji, along with tough challenge from its international rival Amazon.
With its $8 billion expense plan for content, it is definitely outperforming Hulu, Amazon in the domestic market.
iWorld
T20 World Cup ’26: India–England semi-final sets global streaming record of 619 million views on JioHotstar
India–England semi-final records 65.2 million peak streams
MUMBAI: The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 set a new milestone in global sports streaming, as the India–England semi-final drew record digital audiences on JioHotstar.
The match on 5 March registered 65.2 million peak concurrent viewers, the highest ever recorded for a live event on any streaming platform worldwide. The semi-final also generated 619 million views, making it the most streamed T20 international match in history.
The landmark audience numbers were driven largely by viewers in India, setting a record achieved within a single market, rather than through aggregated viewership across multiple countries.
The high-scoring encounter between India national cricket team and England cricket team produced 499 runs across both innings, fuelling widespread fan engagement across platforms.
According to the International Cricket Council, the digital record surpassed the previous global benchmark of 65 million concurrent viewers, set in November 2024 by another international streaming platform.
Across television and digital platforms combined, the semi-final reached more than 320 million viewers, while total watch time exceeded 23 billion minutes, making it the most watched T20 international match ever.
“This World Cup demonstrates the immense passion of cricket fans and the progress made in bringing the game closer to audiences worldwide,” said ICC chairman Jay Shah.
“This moment reflects the scale of cricket fandom in India and the technological capability required to serve hundreds of millions of viewers simultaneously.”
JioStar vice-chairman Uday Shankar, said the audience surge underscored the future of large-scale digital entertainment.
“One in every three Indians tuned in to watch the second semi-final. Delivering such an experience at scale requires the very best of technology,” he said.
The 619 million views during the match also eclipsed the 533 million views recorded during the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.
With the final yet to be played, the 2026 tournament has already set multiple benchmarks in audience reach and digital engagement.
India will face the New Zealand national cricket team in the final on 8 March at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The match will be broadcast on the Star Sports Network and streamed on JioHotstar.
