Sep 23, 2019

Netflix's international growth trouble

Data: Investing.com; Chart: Axios Visuals

Netflix could face trouble if its international growth hits a wall, analysts from Evercore ISI said in a note Friday.

Where it stands: International downloads of the Netflix app have been slowing since July. The app’s international downloads in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store this month have grown about 5% from the same period last year, compared to 21% growth in July and August.

What they're saying: "We believe the risk of the data pointing to a Q3 international subscriber miss is real at this point if our checks do not meaningfully improve into the end of the month," the analysts said in the note.

Of note: Netflix has been spending significant cash overseas, dropping $500 million on a U.K. studio last year with expectations to increase that number this year.

Go deeper: New streamers battle over old shows

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Dion Rabouin

A whole new world for Netflix

Photo: Getty Images

Since announcing it had shelled out half a billion dollars for rights to stream "Seinfeld" starting in 2021, Netflix's stock has been careening downward, highlighted by Friday's 5.5% drop.

What's happening: The stock has been challenged for much of the year, but suffered mightily after what initially looked like a reprieve in July until it released disappointing Q2 earnings showing it lost more than 100,000 subscribers in the U.S. (It was expected to gain over 300,000.)

Go deeperSep 23, 2019

Mike Allen

Apple takes down app used to track Hong Kong police

A protester throws a tear gas canister fired by Hong Kong police, Oct. 1. Photo: Isaac Lawrence/AFP/Getty Images

Confronted with evidence of danger to police and citizens, Apple removed an app Wednesday night that "has been used in ways that endanger law enforcement and residents in Hong Kong," an Apple statement said.

Why it matters: With pro-democracy riots in their 18th week, the app — HKmap.live — has allowed users to track police movements, then target and ambush officers. Apple determined that those uses violate both App Store policy and Hong Kong law.
Hong Kong authorities, who had complained about the app, said it also was being used to victimize residents in areas where police weren’t present.

Go deeperOct 10, 2019

Sara Fischer

New streamers battle over old shows

Photo by George Lange/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Streaming services are putting up billions of dollars to win the rights to TV classics like "Friends" and "Seinfeld," both of which debuted over 2 decades ago on broadcast.

Why it matters: Many of these classic shows had previously been made available on other streaming services, but they're now being scooped up — and often for a lot more cash — by rivals that think they're necessary to compete for users.

Go deeperSep 23, 2019