Skip to main content

In a bid for more eyeballs, Netflix is raising $1 billion for content

For Netflix, it’s all about original content. Crediting original programming for subscriber and earnings growth, the streaming giant announced a plan to raise $1 billion to acquire even more original content, according to  Venture Beat.

The company goal is 50-percent original content, with 1,000 hours of new programming available for streaming in 2017, Forbes reported. While Netflix does not release performance numbers for specific content properties, in a letter to investors, the company indicated Marvel’s superhero series Luke Cage, science fiction/horror hit Stranger Things, and crime drama Narcos were part of the growth and the “excitement around Netflix original content. ”

Recommended Videos

Related:  Netflix subscriptions jump as ‘Stranger Things’ drives popularity

Netflix has had strong growth this year. In the second quarter of 2016, 1.8 million new subscribers joined the streaming service, and that figure almost doubled from July through September with 3.5 million new signups. Of the new subscribers in the third quarter, 3.2 million were international and 370,000 were located in the U.S., reports Forbes.

Regarding Netflix’s international growth, J.P. Morgan’s Doug Amnuth wrote, “… original content with global appeal” is of particular significance. Narcos is set in Columbia and overseas locations. Marseille is a French political drama and The Crown, set for release in November, is the story of Queen Elizabeth II.

In its note to investors, Netflix said: “The internet allows us to reach audiences all over the world and, with a growing base of over 86 million members, there’s a large appetite for entertainment and a diversity of tastes to satisfy.”

Earlier reports of an $800 million debt offering were raised to $1 billion. Netflix also announced it expects the senior note offering to close on October 27, 2016, according to Venture Beat. In a company statement, Netflix said it “intends to use the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes, which may include content acquisitions, capital expenditures, investments, working capital and potential acquisitions and strategic transactions.”

Bruce Brown
Bruce Brown Contributing Editor   As a Contributing Editor to the Auto teams at Digital Trends and TheManual.com, Bruce…
Netflix 2025 movie slate features Knives Out 3, Frankenstein, Happy Gilmore 2, and more
Daniel Craig and Josh O'Connor stand in a church in Knives Out 3.

Netflix has revealed its 2025 movie slate, including anticipated films such as Knives Out 3, Frankenstein, Happy Gilmore 2, and more. The 2025 film and TV schedules were announced at the streamer's star-studded "Next on Netflix" event.

Daniel Craig's Benoit Blanc returns for another mystery in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. The third Knives Out installment from Rian Johnson promises to be Blanc's "most dangerous case yet." Besides Craig, Knives Out 3 stars Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, Daryl McCormack, and Thomas Haden Church. Wake Up Dead will premiere this fall.

Read more
This forgotten 2015 action film is Netflix’s first No. 1 movie of 2025. Here’s why you need to see it
A promo image for In the Heart of the Sea.

There's a new No. 1 film on top of the most popular movies on Netflix, and it's In the Heart of the Sea, a film that will celebrate its 10th anniversary later this year. We've seen some films come out of nowhere and race to the top of Netflix's standings before, but rarely one that flopped to the extent that this one did. And its failure wasn't because of its quality. In December 2015, Warner Bros. decided to release this film just a week before Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The Star Wars sequel broke domestic records with $936 million in North America, while In the Heart of the Sea splashed ashore with only $25 million domestically and $93.9 million worldwide.

In this case, In the Heart of the Sea was the wrong movie at the wrong time. But it's time has finally come now that fans are rediscovering director Ron Howard's historical epic, which is inspired by a true story. Another reason for this film's resurgence is that it's filled with stars, including Chris Hemsworth, Tom Holland, and Cillian Murphy. Now that the movie has resurfaced, we're sharing the reasons why you should watch In the Heart of the Sea on Netflix in January.
Call me Prequel

Read more
Stop! And watch these 3 great movies leaving Netflix by December 1
Gerard Butler holds a phone up to his ear.

The arrival of Thanksgiving signals the end of November. A new month means movies will be leaving Netflix. One of those movies is It Chapter Two, the second installment of Andy Muschietti's It series. Another movie leaving the service is The Little Things, John Lee Hancock's murder mystery starring Denzel Washington, Rami Malek, and Jared Leto.

In total, over 35 movies are leaving the streamer by December 1. With many people enjoying time off for Thanksgiving, now is the perfect time to watch these select movies. To narrow down your selection, here are three movies to watch. Our picks include a violent black comedy, a submarine thriller, and an exceptional crime drama.

Read more