Netflix Content Chief Bajaria Rejects YouTube Short-Form Threat, Touts Live Events Strategy

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Summary · why it matters

Netflix Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria said the idea that younger audiences only watch short-form content is false, pushing back on competition from Alphabet's YouTube. Speaking to CNBC on Thursday, Bajaria said Netflix takes an opportunistic approach to sports and live programming rather than pursuing every available rights package, targeting events such as NFL games, boxing and concerts that can drive subscriber acquisition and retention. She said the company will remain disciplined within its roughly $20 billion content budget while staying open to partnerships, citing its existing tie-up with TF1 in France. Bajaria pointed to shows including "Wednesday" and "Stranger Things" as evidence that compelling long-form programming still draws younger viewers, and said Netflix should not chase every emerging format. Netflix stock was trading about 0.5% higher in Thursday premarket trading.

Impact on assets 3

Communication Services▲ · 2 stocks
Netflix Inc
NFLX
▲ PositiveDemandrelevance

Netflix touts live events like NFL games, boxing and concerts to drive subscriber acquisition and retention.

Artificial Intelligence▲ · 1 stocks
Alphabet Inc Class C
GOOG
± MixedCompetitionrelevance

Netflix's content chief dismisses YouTube short-form as a threat, a passing competitive jab at Alphabet's YouTube.

Off-coverage companies 1

YouTube, LLCPrivate± Mixed
Competitionrelevance

Netflix pushes back on the notion that YouTube short-form is winning younger audiences.

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