Netflix hits record revenue as viewers complain about show quality
- Netflix reported $11 billion in revenue for the second quarter of 2025, representing a 16% increase from the previous year.
- The company attributed this growth to an increase in subscribers, higher subscription prices, and advertising revenue.
- Despite financial success, viewers have expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of Netflix's recent shows.
In Argentina, Netflix achieved a significant milestone by reporting $11 billion in revenue for the second quarter of 2025, surpassing Wall Street’s expectations. This represents an impressive 16% increase in income compared to the same period last year when the company generated $9.6 billion in revenue and a net profit of $2.15 billion. The remarkable growth in revenue and profits, which reached $3.1 billion in net profit, has been attributed to a rise in subscribers worldwide, higher subscription pricing, and an increase in advertising revenue. Analysts noted that the password-sharing crackdown implemented by the company appears to have positively impacted its subscriber base. However, alongside the good financial news, there has been a notable backlash from some Netflix users on social media regarding the quality of recent content. Many fans expressed their discontent by commenting that the streaming service's offerings have been declining, calling recent shows 'garbage.' Some users even stated that people will watch anything, expressing disappointment in the company’s current slate of original productions despite its growing subscriber numbers and profits. In a notable development during this quarter, Ted Sarandos, co-chief executive of Netflix, confirmed the successful integration of artificial intelligence technology in the creation of the Argentinian sci-fi show 'The Eternaut.' This show became the first to utilize AI in crafting its visual effects, specifically in a sequence depicting a collapsing building in Buenos Aires. Sarandos emphasized that leveraging AI not only enhances the quality of production but also expedites the visual effects process, completing sequences ten times faster than traditional methods. He reassured viewers and industry professionals that AI is not about replacing human roles but rather about enhancing creativity and efficiency in filmmaking. The reaction to Netflix's financial performance has been mixed, with shareholders likely pleased with the company’s figures. Yet, the opinions of ordinary viewers illustrate a growing divide between financial success and audience satisfaction. As Netflix continues to innovate and expand its services, the challenge ahead may involve balancing creative output quality with robust fiscal performance. The company's future direction in content creation will likely affect both subscriber retention and new acquisition, especially in light of current viewer sentiments regarding its recent programming.