We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
Netflix Reportedly Tests Ultra Premium Pricing Plan in Europe
Read MoreHide Full Article
Netflix (NFLX - Free Report) is reportedly trying out a new ultra premium pricing plan in Europe. Per a blog cited by CNET from Tutto Android, the plan allows users to simultaneously stream Ultra HD video and audio across four devices.
The plan is likely to cost €16.99 (almost $19.80) in Italy. Per Endgadget, the prices can vary from €16.99 to €19.99 per month. Netflix currently has three subscription plans — $7.99 Basic, $10.99 Standard and $13.99 Premium.
Reportedly, the test run also restricted some Premium subscribers, who already run Ultra HD video and four screens, to a maximum of two devices, simultaneously.
Content Strength to Drive Subscriber Base
Although there is no surety that Netflix will bring out this plan in entirety or partially raise prices or put restrictions on simultaneous device uses, the test reflects the company’s growing confidence on the stickiness of its streaming service.
This is primarily due to Netflix’s content strength and expanding original programming portfolio. The company added 7.41 million new members in the last reported quarter, which topped management’s forecast of 6.35 million.
Currently, Netflix has 125 million subscribers. More noticeable is the increase in paid streaming members across the globe, which increased 26% year over year to 118.9 million, despite a 14% increase in its average selling price (ASP).
Netflix remains confident of adding more and more subscribers as the trend of Internet TV/binge viewing catches up fast. The company expects to add 6.2 million new subscribers in the second quarter of 2018.
Netflix’s focus on producing more quality original content is helping it increase as well as broadly diversify its subscriber base. The company’s strengthening content portfolio is evident from the nominations and subsequent prestigious award wins like Oscars and Emmys.
Netflix is also snapping up Hollywood talent to boost its movie business. Partnership with prolific creators like Ryan Murphy, Shonda Rhimes, Shawn Levy and Jenji Kohan will provide an impetus to Netflix’s original content expansion strategy. The company plans to release 80 original movies in 2018.
Regional Programming Key Catalyst
Netflix’s efforts to attract viewers through investing in more regional programming have added significantly to its user base. The company is set to spend $8 billion on new content production this year alone.
Netflix’s chief content officer, Ted Sarandos disclosed at the MoffettNathanson Media & Communications Summit that the company is set to release 470 originals by 2018, which will take the total count for the year to nearly 1,000.
Netflix plans to add more regional languages to make the service more appealing. As of now, it offers content in over 24 languages and has created 80 shows in 30 international markets.
Netflix recently expanded its presence in India through two movies and a thriller web-television series named Sacred Games. The company is strengthening its original content with upcoming shows like supernatural horror show Ghoul, cricket novel Selection Day, and an unscripted show based on the Mumbai Indians and the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Price Increase Can Hurt Competitiveness
Although Netflix’s premium expanding content can justify a higher-priced plan, the company will surely lose some competitive edge to Amazon’s (AMZN - Free Report) Prime, Hulu, and upcoming services from Apple (AAPL - Free Report) and Disney (DIS - Free Report) .
This is particularly true for cost sensitive markets like India. Notably, per Bloomberg, “Netflix’s average monthly price in India of 500 to 800 rupees ($7 to $12) is twice as much as the average pay-TV offering.”
Hence, Netflix’s plan to add 100 million users from India will hurt due to a price increase, as it will lose competitive edge against 20th Century Fox’s Hotstar and Amazon Prime.
It's hard to believe, even for us at Zacks. But while the market gained +21.9% in 2017, our top stock-picking screens have returned +115.0%, +109.3%, +104.9%, +98.6%, and +67.1%.
And this outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. Over the years it has been remarkably consistent. From 2000 - 2017, the composite yearly average gain for these strategies has beaten the market more than 19X over. Maybe even more remarkable is the fact that we're willing to share their latest stocks with you without cost or obligation.
Image: Bigstock
Netflix Reportedly Tests Ultra Premium Pricing Plan in Europe
Netflix (NFLX - Free Report) is reportedly trying out a new ultra premium pricing plan in Europe. Per a blog cited by CNET from Tutto Android, the plan allows users to simultaneously stream Ultra HD video and audio across four devices.
The plan is likely to cost €16.99 (almost $19.80) in Italy. Per Endgadget, the prices can vary from €16.99 to €19.99 per month. Netflix currently has three subscription plans — $7.99 Basic, $10.99 Standard and $13.99 Premium.
Reportedly, the test run also restricted some Premium subscribers, who already run Ultra HD video and four screens, to a maximum of two devices, simultaneously.
Content Strength to Drive Subscriber Base
Although there is no surety that Netflix will bring out this plan in entirety or partially raise prices or put restrictions on simultaneous device uses, the test reflects the company’s growing confidence on the stickiness of its streaming service.
This is primarily due to Netflix’s content strength and expanding original programming portfolio. The company added 7.41 million new members in the last reported quarter, which topped management’s forecast of 6.35 million.
Currently, Netflix has 125 million subscribers. More noticeable is the increase in paid streaming members across the globe, which increased 26% year over year to 118.9 million, despite a 14% increase in its average selling price (ASP).
Netflix, Inc. Price and Consensus
Netflix, Inc. Price and Consensus | Netflix, Inc. Quote
Netflix remains confident of adding more and more subscribers as the trend of Internet TV/binge viewing catches up fast. The company expects to add 6.2 million new subscribers in the second quarter of 2018.
Netflix’s focus on producing more quality original content is helping it increase as well as broadly diversify its subscriber base. The company’s strengthening content portfolio is evident from the nominations and subsequent prestigious award wins like Oscars and Emmys.
Netflix is also snapping up Hollywood talent to boost its movie business. Partnership with prolific creators like Ryan Murphy, Shonda Rhimes, Shawn Levy and Jenji Kohan will provide an impetus to Netflix’s original content expansion strategy. The company plans to release 80 original movies in 2018.
Regional Programming Key Catalyst
Netflix’s efforts to attract viewers through investing in more regional programming have added significantly to its user base. The company is set to spend $8 billion on new content production this year alone.
Netflix’s chief content officer, Ted Sarandos disclosed at the MoffettNathanson Media & Communications Summit that the company is set to release 470 originals by 2018, which will take the total count for the year to nearly 1,000.
Netflix plans to add more regional languages to make the service more appealing. As of now, it offers content in over 24 languages and has created 80 shows in 30 international markets.
Netflix recently expanded its presence in India through two movies and a thriller web-television series named Sacred Games. The company is strengthening its original content with upcoming shows like supernatural horror show Ghoul, cricket novel Selection Day, and an unscripted show based on the Mumbai Indians and the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Price Increase Can Hurt Competitiveness
Although Netflix’s premium expanding content can justify a higher-priced plan, the company will surely lose some competitive edge to Amazon’s (AMZN - Free Report) Prime, Hulu, and upcoming services from Apple (AAPL - Free Report) and Disney (DIS - Free Report) .
This is particularly true for cost sensitive markets like India. Notably, per Bloomberg, “Netflix’s average monthly price in India of 500 to 800 rupees ($7 to $12) is twice as much as the average pay-TV offering.”
Hence, Netflix’s plan to add 100 million users from India will hurt due to a price increase, as it will lose competitive edge against 20th Century Fox’s Hotstar and Amazon Prime.
Currently, Netflix has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Today's Stocks from Zacks' Hottest Strategies
It's hard to believe, even for us at Zacks. But while the market gained +21.9% in 2017, our top stock-picking screens have returned +115.0%, +109.3%, +104.9%, +98.6%, and +67.1%.
And this outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. Over the years it has been remarkably consistent. From 2000 - 2017, the composite yearly average gain for these strategies has beaten the market more than 19X over. Maybe even more remarkable is the fact that we're willing to share their latest stocks with you without cost or obligation.
See Them Free>>