The Town with Matthew Belloni Is Netflix Spending its $18 Billion Content Budget Correctly?
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Mar 12, 2025 
Lucas Shaw, a Bloomberg reporter specializing in media and entertainment, joins to dissect Netflix's $18 billion content strategy. They dive into the success of mid-budget films over high-budget franchises and explore the potential of unscripted content like true crime and reality shows. The conversation highlights Netflix’s struggles with live events and considers innovative strategies, including podcasting and international shows. Shaw also touches on Amazon’s ambitious theatrical plans, revealing a competitive landscape of streaming and cinematic experiences.
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Licensed Content Performance
- Licensed Hollywood titles perform strongly on Netflix, comprising a significant portion of the top 100 most-viewed movies.
- This highlights the potential value of licensing proven hits alongside original content.
Viewership Drivers
- Netflix's viewership is driven by hits, similar to other streaming services.
- However, the top shows on Netflix account for a smaller percentage of total viewing compared to competitors like Disney+ and Hulu.
Seeking a "Sheridanverse"
- Netflix executives admire Taylor Sheridan's success with "Yellowstone" and its spin-offs.
- They should seek creators who can produce a high volume of reliable hits to build their own interconnected "universe."