Netflix smashes target with 16 million signups in Q1

Netflix’s Tiger King

Netflix subscriber numbers have surged by almost 16 million over the last quarter as the streamer felt the impact of the Covid-19 lockdown and scored successes with Tiger King and La Casa De Papel (aka Money Heist).

The world’s biggest SVOD said that it had gained 15.77 million paid customers over the past three months, thrashing initial predictions of 7 million additions made prior to the spread of Coronavirus.

That has taken its total number of paid subscribers to almost 183 million around the world, up by 23% on the same time last year.

However, Netflix added that it expected subscriber growth to decline during the remaining quarters of the year as lockdowns around the world are eased.

It also highlighted that the strength of the US dollar – which has soared against other international currencies – would impact global revenues and added that the impact of Covid-19 on its customer support centres had been affected, with the company signing up thousands of remote staff to fill in.

Pointing to the particulars

The streamer also highlighted shows that had been particularly popular with audiences during the quarter, with Tiger King securing 64 million views, dating show Love Is Blind being watched by 30 million customers, and the latest season of Spanish drama La Casa De Papel snagging 65 million hits.

The data, which relates to the number of accounts that have clicked on a title and watched for at least two minutes, also showed 85 million views for action drama Spenser Confidential and added that it expected the third season of scripted crime series Ozark to be watched by 29 million households.

Netflix’s chief content officer Ted Sarandos added that the company was still in production on shows in Iceland and South Korea, but the streamer confirmed that the launch of some programming was being delayed by the production hiatus in most parts of the world.

In its letter to investors, Netflix said: “We’re acutely aware that we are fortunate to have a service that is even more meaningful to people confined at home, and which we can operate remotely with minimal disruption in the short to medium term.

“Like other home entertainment services, we’re seeing temporarily higher viewing and increased membership growth. We expect viewing to decline and membership growth to decelerate as home confinement ends, which we hope is soon.”