Netflix has blown away Wall Street expectations in the first quarter of 2025, generating a whopping $10.5 billion in revenue a 12.5% year-over-year gain. This was driven by a mix of strategic timed price hikes, growing ad-supported plans and sustained global subscription gains. The streaming giant also reported a net income of $2.9 billion easily beating its earlier forecast of $2.44 billion. Analysits attribute Netflix’s changing revenue model where it now puts more value on profitability than on raw subscriber counts, for this financial boost.
Subscription And Ad-Supported Tiers Drive Growth
One of the key factors behind Netflix’s stellar Q1 earnings was the steady rise in paid memberships. The company saw healthy growth in both its standard and ad-supported tiers as more users around the world signed up or upgraded their plans. The ad-supported model in particular continues to gain traction contributing significantly to revenue while allowing Netflix to tap into new audiences who prefer more affordable viewing options. This hybrid approach has not only broadened its user base but also opened up a powerful advertising revenue stream.

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Company Projects 15% Growth In Q2
Netflix is positive about its second-quarter outlook, targeting a 15% increase driven by several important factors. It pointed out that the recent price increases, introduced mid-way through the last quarter, will now provide their full benefit over the full three-month cycle. This, along with steady and ongoing expansion in its member base and increasing advertising revenue, is likely to considerably support the company’s overall performance. The company highlighted that these favorable trends depict excellent demand for its products and successful monetization approaches, well placing it for sustained momentum in the coming months.