Netflix Doubles Down on Ads With Record 250M Global Viewers

Netflix's ad-supported tier has become a critical revenue engine, reaching 250 million monthly viewers and generating $1.5 billion in 2025—signaling that streaming platforms are fundamentally shifting toward hybrid monetization models. The company's aggressive expansion into vertical video and podcasts indicates advertising is no longer supplementary but central to long-term growth strategy. This reflects the broader industry pivot away from subscription-only models as content costs remain unsustainable.