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
Veto onboards B4U Network channels to boost its entertainment offering
Partnership adds films, music and regional fare as platform sharpens its large-screen pitch
NEW DELHI: Veto is stacking its content deck. The family-first CTV-focused OTT platform has onboarded B4U Network, plugging in a slate of Bollywood, music and regional programming to widen its appeal in India’s living rooms.
The tie-up brings B4U Movies, B4U Music, B4U Kadak and Bhojpuri+ onto Veto, offering a broader mix of films, songs and vernacular content aimed at diverse audience cohorts. The move is designed to deepen engagement and nudge growth as competition in connected TV heats up.
Ritu Dhawan, managing director, Veto, framed the partnership as a scale play. “At Veto, our vision is to redefine large-screen entertainment for Indian households by creating a trusted, free, and unified viewing experience. Partnering with B4U Network strengthens our ability to offer deeply engaging and regionally relevant content, helping us connect more with audiences across India,” Dhawan said. “As we grow, our focus remains on delivering relevant, high-quality entertainment that families can enjoy together.”
The integration is expected to expand Veto’s audience base while improving content discovery and depth. The platform positions itself as a no-login, large-screen-first service, bundling live TV, news, sports, movies, music, podcasts and on-demand programming into a single interface tailored for connected TVs.
As streaming fragments and screens multiply, Veto is betting on aggregation and simplicity. More content, fewer clicks, broader reach—the pitch is clear, and the living room is the battleground.
