Technology

Netflix is stepping into a new era — one that stretches far beyond your living room screen. Co-CEO Ted Sarandos just unveiled an ambitious growth strategy aimed at turning the world’s biggest streaming platform into a trillion-dollar entertainment empire. And investors are all in.

The company’s stock surged this week after Sarandos laid out a bold plan to grow Netflix’s reach — not just by adding subscribers, but by turning shows into real-world experiences, expanding into live events, pushing further into advertising, and even exploring new content formats like video podcasts. 

The Plan: From Streaming to Physical Spaces, Broadway, and Beyond

Speaking at the Semafor World Economy Summit, Sarandos revealed that in Netflix’s most mature markets, the company still only captures about 5% of total consumer spending — and just 10% of TV watching time. Translation? There’s still massive room to grow.

One of the most talked-about announcements is the upcoming launch of Netflix House, immersive retail and dining venues opening in Dallas and Philadelphia later this year. These locations will bring hit shows like Stranger Things and Bridgerton to life, offering fans a chance to literally step inside the stories they love.

Netflix is also making its theatrical debut with Stranger Things: The First Shadow on Broadway, a move that signals just how serious the company is about expanding its creative footprint.

Wall Street Reacts: Netflix Stock Surges

The company’s vision is already paying off. Netflix shares soared this week as analysts and investors responded positively to the strategy shift. The company expects to bring in between $43.5 and $44.5 billion in revenue this year, with an operating margin of 29%. With that kind of momentum, Wall Street is eyeing the possibility of Netflix becoming a trillion-dollar brand in the not-so-distant future.

Big Goals: More Subscribers, More Ads, and New Content Formats

Netflix currently boasts over 300 million global subscribers, but Sarandos and Co-CEO Greg Peters have their sights set on 410 million by 2030. A big part of that growth will come from international markets where broadband access is expanding rapidly.

They’re also betting big on advertising, aiming to generate up to $9 billion annually from ads by 2030. And they’re not stopping there — the company is exploring video podcasts, a move that could pull in more creators and expand its content universe.

What It All Means

Netflix isn’t just doubling down on streaming — it’s transforming into something bigger: a global entertainment ecosystem. From Broadway to interactive fan spaces and advertising to podcasts, the company is rewriting what a modern media powerhouse looks like.

And judging by the latest stock spike, investors are ready to go along for the ride.