BUZZ-Brokerages expect Netflix to climb ad-tier ladder on live events, partnerships

Shares of streaming platform Netflix NFLX.O rise 2% to $843.54

Three brokerages say they expect NFLX to grow its ad-supported tier in the coming years with the help of live events and partnerships
Analysts at Wedbush see the ad tier becoming the primary revenue growth driver by 2026
"We expect upside to subscribers, driven by Paul/Tyson, NFL Christmas games, and Squid Games season 2, with full 2025 content slate and advertising ramp as catalyst for Q1" - brokerage Oppenheimer

BMO Capital Markets notes that AVOD (advertising-based video on demand) monetization was gaining traction among brand advertisers

BMO raises PT to $1000 from $825; the stock's median PT is $888, according to data compiled by LSEG

New seasons for popular titles such as "Stranger Things", "Squid Games", "You" and "Ginny and Georgia" are also expected to drive new subscribers in the coming year

Thirty-two of 49 brokerages rate the stock "buy", 14 "hold" and three "sell"

Stock had risen 83.1% last year

(Reporting by Kritika Lamba in Bengaluru)

((Kritika.Lamba@thomsonreuters.com))