4 ms·

I did read the article thoroughly, and I think he hasn't seen the larger perspective. I'm an investor in Netflix, and have also dug deeply into many other in-de

I did read the article thoroughly, and I think he hasn't seen the larger perspective. I'm an investor in Netflix, and have also dug deeply into many other in-depth analyses of them, and while he says its "long-term", that doesn't mean it is. Netflix has barely tapped its global potential (partially more and more users of countries come online world-wide), and many companies have experienced what they call "demand pulled forward", i.e. extra growth in pandemic that then falls as pandemic heads towards a close. This is short term, and he has assumed that the slow in growth is the "inevitable decline" of Netflix Subscriber growth. Also, to be clear, I think Stratechery is an incredible source and usually agree with him. I don't in this case. I wasn't trying to respond to his points more directly, I was taking on the perspective of what is good for the companies growth. Just because you "happily enjoy ad-free Netflix, YouTube and Hulu." Doesn't mean most do (and there are strong statistical reasons that indicate that others enjoy it more as well).

achow 5y ago
> Netflix has barely tapped its global potential (partially more and more users of countries come online world-wide).. The problem with this argument is it is not thought through. Expanding to newer markets is not about simply enabling credit card payment from those countries. The performance in India (not good) proved recently it is about localizing the content. Creating or buying new content for these new market costs money, and then managing those (staffing up local orgs, local production center, data center, etc.) also costs. Netflix is in content business, unlike software it is not about making copies and distributing world wide at zero cost.
- KerryJones 5y ago
  achow@ not sure why you think it's not thought through? You're correct it is a content business, they just spent 17 billion on new content, far more than any other streaming provider (and have the subscribers to support it). Specifically in India, with Indian creators, and it worked. It's in their book "No Rules Rules".
  - GeneralMaximus 5y ago
    Netflix in India serves a niche audience. The Indian creators Netflix has brought on board so far mostly produce what's best described as prestige TV. While I've enjoyed some of these shows, they barely have a market outside of the major cities. Netflix in India is the best example of an American company attempting to grow in India and failing because they don't have any understanding of the culture. Google, Apple, and even IKEA have figured this out. I'm sure Netflix will, too. But it'll take them a bit of time.
- cuteboy19 5y ago
  Markets in other countries ar also very quickly becoming saturated with local competition as well as Di$ney+ etc.

achow 5y ago

> Netflix has barely tapped its global potential (partially more and more users of countries come online world-wide).. The problem with this argument is it is not thought through. Expanding to newer markets is not about simply enabling credit card payment from those countries. The performance in India (not good) proved recently it is about localizing the content. Creating or buying new content for these new market costs money, and then managing those (staffing up local orgs, local production center, data center, etc.) also costs. Netflix is in content business, unlike software it is not about making copies and distributing world wide at zero cost.

KerryJones 5y ago
achow@ not sure why you think it's not thought through? You're correct it is a content business, they just spent 17 billion on new content, far more than any other streaming provider (and have the subscribers to support it). Specifically in India, with Indian creators, and it worked. It's in their book "No Rules Rules".
- GeneralMaximus 5y ago
  Netflix in India serves a niche audience. The Indian creators Netflix has brought on board so far mostly produce what's best described as prestige TV. While I've enjoyed some of these shows, they barely have a market outside of the major cities. Netflix in India is the best example of an American company attempting to grow in India and failing because they don't have any understanding of the culture. Google, Apple, and even IKEA have figured this out. I'm sure Netflix will, too. But it'll take them a bit of time.
cuteboy19 5y ago
Markets in other countries ar also very quickly becoming saturated with local competition as well as Di$ney+ etc.