Netflix's Upcoming Thriller Expands Content Portfolio In 2019

Netflix’s (NASDAQ:NFLX) stint with Hollywood actors continues in its new cartel thriller, Triple Frontier that is set to release in March 2019 across selected theaters. Per Deadline, quoted by engadget, Triple Frontier stars Ben Affleck, Oscar Isaac, Charlie Hunnam, Garrett Hedlund and Pedro Pascal.

Netflix has been snapping up Hollywood talent to boost its streaming business. Partnerships with prolific creators like Ryan Murphy, Shonda Rhimes, Shawn Levy and Jenji Kohan are providing impetus to the company’s content expansion strategy.

Hollywood ‘A’ listers like Idris Elba (Turn Up Charlie), Ellen Page (The Umbrella Academy), Renee Zellweger (What/If), Uma Thurman (Chambers), and Christina Applegate (Dead To Me) are set to appear on Netflix in 2019.

Moreover, prolific actors like Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler are working in Netflix’s new comedy show Murder Mystery. The company has also acquired the rights of an original film starring Dwayne “Rock” Johnson.

Further, Netflix is diversifying its content portfolio by including original programs from Africa. The company is also working on projects across India, Mexico, Spain, Italy, Germany, Brazil, France, Turkey and the entire Middle East.

Massive Spending Supports Content Strength

Netflix’s massive spending on content ($8 billion on new content in 2018) can primarily be attributed to high production values. The growing involvement of well-known Hollywood stars definitely makes the shows more attractive. Further, the company’s endeavor to offer content catering to various genres has been a key catalyst in driving user engagement.

Netflix added 6.96 million subscribers, much better than the previously expected 5 million, in the last reported quarter that helped it amass a subscriber base of 137 million globally. The company expects to add 9.4 million subscribers, up 13% year over year in the fourth quarter of 2018. Paid member addition is expected to increase 15% to 7.6 million.

Netflix has significant depth in its content pipeline for 2019 that includes thriller (What/If), sitcom (Mr. Iglesias), sci-fi/horror (Daybreak), dramedy (Russian Doll), animated series (Go! Go! Cory Carson), adult anime series (Rilakkuma and Kaoru), nature documentary (Our Planet), crime dramas (Nowhere Man), music-competition (Rhythm + Flow) and others. The strong content portfolio is expected to help the company sustain subscriber growth momentum in 2019.

Moreover, Netflix’s Hollywood partnerships and high production values have helped its shows win accolades and awards. This year at Emmys, the company tied with HBO and won 23 trophies in different categories. Netflix’s shows have been rapidly gaining popularity as the company received 112 nominations in 2018, significantly up from 91 in 2017 and 54 in 2016.

Notably, Netflix’s Stranger Things soundtrack recently won a Grammy Award nomination under the “Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media” category. Moreover, per TechCrunch, Netflix has won eight nominations at the Golden Globe. However, it trailed AT&T’s (NYSE:T) HBO and Amazon’s (NASDAQ:AMZN) Prime Video services, as each won nine nominations.

Zacks Rank & A Key Pick

Currently, Netflix has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Discovery (NASDAQ:DISCA) with Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) is a stock worth considering in the same sector. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Expected long-term earnings growth rate for Discovery is 26.8%.

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