Netflix is set to report its first-quarter earnings for 2026 on Thursday, marking the beginning of earnings season for media companies. Analysts expect the streaming giant to post earnings per share of 76 cents and revenue of $12.18 billion. This earnings call comes on the heels of Netflix’s decision to abandon its pursuit of Warner Bros. Discovery, a move that has shifted the conversation from potential acquisitions to how Netflix will navigate an increasingly competitive streaming landscape.
The company’s stock has surged over 25% since walking away from the WBD deal, alleviating concerns about increased debt and regulatory hurdles. Instead, investors are now focusing on Netflix’s advertising revenue, which has shown significant growth since its launch in late 2022. With expectations of doubling its $1.5 billion advertising revenue from 2025, Netflix’s recent price hikes are also anticipated to contribute to revenue growth in 2026.
As Netflix prepares to report, market professionals should closely watch its commentary on advertising performance and pricing strategies, as these factors will be critical in determining its competitive positioning in a crowded market.
Source: cnbc.com