Netflix's Streaming Surge in 2025

In a remarkable announcement, Netflix revealed that it has streamed a jaw-dropping 95 billion hours in the first half of 2025, showcasing its immense popularity and user engagement. But that's not all— the streaming giant is also gearing up to significantly boost its advertising revenue.

Massive Earnings Growth

According to its latest earnings report, Netflix raked in an impressive $11.08 billion this quarter, marking a stellar 16 percent increase compared to last year. The company is positioning itself to double its advertising income as it expands its ad tech platform, which it considers essential for its future strategy.

Top Shows and Movies of 2025

Adolescence dominated the charts as the most-viewed series, amassing 145 million views, while the much-anticipated Squid Game seasons 2 and 3 also captured the audience's attention. Even Ms. Rachel, a toddler favorite originating from YouTube, made it to the top ten!

On the movie front, Back in Action led the way with 165 million views, followed closely by Straw and The Life List. The animated movie K-Pop Demon Hunters also made waves, reaching 37 million views since its June debut. Netflix noted that nearly half of the viewership for its top originals originated from titles released in 2023 or earlier, such as Ozark and Orange is the New Black.

Innovating through Advertising

Netflix's ad tech platform is heralded as the future of its advertising approach, promising enhanced ad targeting and innovative formats. Following a successful testing phase, this technology is now available in all regions offering its ad-supported plan.

Competitive Landscape and Growth Plans

While Netflix hasn't disclosed its exact strategies for escalating ad revenue, competitors like Amazon Prime Video are ramping up their ad offerings, doubling the number of ads shown. Netflix’s ad-supported tier currently reaches over 94 million users, and the company plans to introduce interactive ads in the latter half of 2025, adding a new layer of engagement.

Price Hikes and Redesigns

After raising its prices earlier this year—bringing its ad-supported plan to $7.99 and the basic commercial-free option to $17.99—Netflix is also revamping its user interface. The new homepage design, which has reached about 50% of customers, aims to enhance navigation and discoverability for shows, movies, and even live events.

Shifting Focus on Revenue Streams

Interestingly, Netflix has stopped reporting subscriber growth each quarter, instead shifting its focus to other revenue streams such as advertising. This strategic pivot may signal a new era for the streaming behemoth as it adapts to the evolving entertainment landscape.