Netflix Inc. has indicated a strong interest in collaborating with top YouTube creators, provided their content aligns with the streaming giant’s premium standards. During the second-quarter earnings call, Co-CEO Ted Sarandos addressed a question from Wells Fargo analyst Steve Cahall about the potential for bringing YouTube stars to Netflix, especially considering YouTube’s current dominance in U.S. TV viewership.
Sarandos emphasized the company’s desire to work with the best creatives globally, regardless of their platform. He noted that some creators are already experiencing success on Netflix, including Miss Rachel, who garnered 53 million views on the platform in 2025. “We’re really excited about the Sidemen and a wide variety of video podcasters that might be a good fit for us,” Sarandos stated.
Strategic Focus on Quality and Unique Advantages
Netflix’s approach reflects a broader strategy to attract diverse talent while maintaining the quality of its offerings. Sarandos highlighted Netflix’s advantages for creators, which include “phenomenal distribution, desirable monetization, brilliant discovery in our UI, and a hungry audience waiting to be entertained.”
Co-CEO Greg Peters added that Netflix is aware of the intense competition from other streaming services, video games, and free content. “Not all hours are created equal,” Peters remarked, indicating that the company is focused on delivering quality content rather than merely increasing viewership numbers. He pointed out that 80% of total TV viewership is currently outside the reach of both Netflix and YouTube, a segment that the company is keen to capture.
Financial Performance and Future Projections
In the second quarter, Netflix reported revenue of $11.08 billion, representing a 16% year-over-year increase. This figure surpassed analysts’ expectations, which had predicted revenue of $11.04 billion. Looking ahead, Netflix projects third-quarter revenue of $11.526 billion, a 17% increase compared to the previous year, alongside earnings per share of $6.87.
Moreover, Netflix raised its full-year revenue forecast to a range of $44.8 billion to $45.2 billion, up from the earlier estimate of $43.5 billion to $44.5 billion. These figures reflect the company’s strong performance and its commitment to expanding its offerings while engaging top-tier talent.
Netflix shares have risen 43.69% year-to-date, and have nearly doubled, increasing by 96.80% over the past year. On the day of the earnings call, the stock rose by 1.91% during regular trading, although it saw a slight dip of 1.86% in after-hours trading.
As Netflix continues to explore collaborations with popular creators, its focus on quality content and strategic partnerships may position the company well for future growth amid a competitive landscape.