Entertainment

Netflix Confirms Move Into Video Games As Its Growth Slows

Published

4 years ago

July 21, 2021

Netflix reported its worst slowdown in subscriber growth in eight years as people emerge from their pandemic cocoons. So it’s adding a new attraction to its marquee: Video games.

On Tuesday, the video streaming giant announced it will offer video games in its existing subscription plans at no extra cost, but didn’t say when that service will launch or what kind of games it will be developing.

The confirmation of the long-anticipated expansion came in conjunction with the release of Netflix’s latest earnings report.

That financial breakdown showed the video service added 1.5 million subscribers during the April-June period. That’s slightly better than the modest increase that management forecast after the service stumbled to a sluggish start during the winter months, but still far below its growth rate in recent years.

Netflix’s net gain of 5.5 million subscribers through the first six months of this year represents its weakest first-half performance since 2013 — a time when the company was still rolling out more original programming as it branched out from licensing existing TV series and movies.

Now Netflix is taking another leap by offering video games that intends to produce itself as part of what it described as a multi-year expansion.

The Los Gatos, California, company telegraphed the move last week when it disclosed the hiring of a veteran video game executive, Mike Verdu, to explore potential opportunities in another field of entertainment.

“The reason we’re doing them is to help the subscription service grow and be more important in people’s lives,” Netflix co-CEO Reed Hastings told investors during a Tuesday discussion.

Greg Peters, Netflix’s chief product officer, said the company will initially focus on mobile games before eventually expanding to consoles and TV sets as well. The games initially will be tied to Netflix’s most popular programming, Peters said, but standalone titles may be added to the, mix too. He even speculated that Netflix eventually may create a TV series or film inspired by one of its video games.

“There’s a a big, big prize here, and our job is to be really focused,” Peters said.

Despite this year’s growth slowdown, Netflix remains by far the world’s biggest streaming service in an increasingly competitive field that includes Walt Disney Co., HBO, Amazon and Apple. Netflix finished June with 209 million worldwide subscribers.

Netflix’s heft also has produced steady profits. The company earned $1.35 billion, or $2.97 per share, nearly doubling from the same time last year. Revenue rose by 19% from last year to $7.3 billion.

But the lackluster first-half numbers are a dramatic reversal from last year, when government-imposed lockdowns across the world thrust people into binge-watching frenzies while corralled at home. Already the world’s largest video streaming service when the pandemic began in March 2020, Netflix picked up 26 million subscribers during the first half of last year. .

While no one expected Netflix to sustain that breakneck pace, the drop off in subscriber growth this year has been more severe than anticipated. Netflix shares have fallen by about 10% from their peak of $593.29 six months ago. The shares edged up slightly in extended trading after Tuesday’s news came out.

Netflix management has blamed part of this year’s slowdown to pandemic-induced production delays that left its video service with fewer proven hits. The Los Gatos, California, is expecting that problem to fade during the second half of this year with new-season releases of popular series such as “Sex Education” and “The Witcher,” as well as movies starring big-name stars such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Meryl Streep.

Even so, Netflix let down investors with a forecast calling for only an additional 3.5 million subscribers during the July-September period. That was well below analyst estimates for a third-quarter gain of 5.6 million subscribers, according to FactSet Research. The “quite underwhelming” guidance raised more worries about intensifying competition in video streaming, as well as the fallout from pandemic lockdowns ending, said CFRA analyst Tuna Amobi.

The conservative outlook suggests Netflix isn’t expecting an immediate boost from its foray into a highly competitive video game field already contested by far more experienced companies such as Epic Games, Microsoft and Electronic Arts.

But if the move into video gaming pays off, it could eventually give Netflix more leverage to boost its prices. The company has already been gradually raising subscription costs in recent years, helping to boost its average monthly revenue per subscriber to $14.54 in its biggest market comprised of the U.S. and Canada. That’s a 16 % increase from $12.52 per month two years ago.

(AP)

Related Topics:California Netflix video games

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How Toke Makinwa’s Pregnancy Unveiling Sparked Social Media Frenzy

Published

1 day ago

August 23, 2025

Editor

Nigerian media personality, entrepreneur and actress, Toke Makinwa, sent shockwaves across the internet exactly a week ago after unveiling her pregnancy, a revelation that has since dominated conversations both online and offline.Newspaper-inspired merchandise

For over a decade, Makinwa has remained one of Nigeria’s most recognised media figures. From her early days as a presenter on Rhythm 93.7 FM’s ‘The Morning Drive’, to her widely followed YouTube vlog, Toke Moments, and her best-selling memoir ‘On Becoming’, she has built a reputation for candour, glamour and resilience.Newspaper-inspired merchandise

At 40, she has grown into an entertainment powerhouse, with endorsements, acting roles, and businesses that have cemented her influence across fashion, beauty, and lifestyle spaces.

Over the years, Toke Makinwa’s views on relationships have often sparked debate. Following a high-profile divorce from entrepreneur Maje Ayida in 2017, she became vocal about self-worth, financial independence and rethinking traditional expectations of marriage.

While she once remarked that “marriage is not an achievement,” she later admitted she remained open to remarriage but only on her own terms.

In her exact words, she remarked, “As independent women, do you think that we have glamorised this notion of being independent? Yeah. It’s tough, I won’t lie. Let me break it down. Forget the cameras. At this point in my life, if I have the opportunity to be the second, third, fourth or fifth wife, I will take it.”

This history of outspoken reflections made her pregnancy announcement more striking to fans and critics alike.

The pregnancy unveiling
Ahead of her Instagram unveiling, Tribune Online on Tuesday, August 12, exclusively reported that the actress is pregnant and nears delivery. Digital edition of the newspaper

Following the report, Makinwa took to Instagram on Wednesday to announce what she called “the biggest project of my life.”

Accompanied by radiant photographs of her growing bump, she described the journey as “the highest calling ever,” adding:

“Of all the projects I’ve embarked on in my life, this one trumps it all. The timing couldn’t be more perfect. God truly makes all things beautiful in His time.”

Her heartfelt caption, infused with gratitude and spirituality, immediately struck a chord with millions of followers.

Social media frenzy
The reaction that trailed Toke Makinwa’s unveiling was nothing short of explosive. Within two hours, her Instagram post had attracted over 20,000 comments. By the five-hour mark, the figure had crossed 40,000, as fans, colleagues and celebrities flooded the comments section with congratulatory messages.

At the time of writing this and barely 10 days after the unveiling, Toke’s Instagram post has 75,000 comments and continues to generate 75,000 reactions from fans and critics. Many hailed her story as inspirational, particularly as she is experiencing motherhood at 40, a milestone that challenged cultural expectations about timing and family.

Popular celebrities such as Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Iyabo Ojo, Adesua Etomi and others publicly celebrated the news, while fans reposted her images with beautiful captions describing her as a “beacon of hope” and a “symbol of divine timing.”

‘Unknown husband’ question
Yet, the wave of celebrations quickly gave way to speculations. Toke did not disclose the identity of the father, prompting thousands of curious and sometimes intrusive questions across social platforms.

Comments about who the “baby daddy” dominated the conversation for days. Controversial social media personality, Uche Maduagwu, weighed in with a question, somewhat rhetorical: “Toke, who gives you belle? Na married man or single, let’s know abeg.”

Another Instagram user, @halibut, commented: “Where is your husband? For you all you girls saying you can’t settle for less, can you see Toke Makinwa? She don settle for less, she no fit show her husband, maybe na gateman give her belle.” @Afroblog001 also wrote: “Thought you said you no need man for your life or na woman sperm did the job?”

The absence of clarity also gave rise to conspiracy theories. Some online users suggested she may have used a surrogate, pointing to the lack of earlier bare-belly photos. @shemstrends commented: “Why do I feel artificial and lowkey a surrogate, but however I’m feeling, congratulations to her.” Similarly, @the.halfcast wrote: “The Toke we all know will definitely want to show us the naked body of her tummy.”

The speculation gained traction until she eventually shut it down herself by posting a striking image of her bare bump.

As if that wasn’t enough, the announcement also attracted moral criticism.

Commentators questioned her decision to frame the pregnancy in spiritual terms while being unmarried, igniting heated discussions on the intersection of faith, motherhood, and societal expectations.

Popular social commentator Solomon Buchi wrote: “As a Jesus girl or Christian, we need to be very careful how we mix God with our personal decisions, decisions we have decided to pursue, whether they are Godly or not. Now I am not saying there is anything ungodly or not about having a child but you are having a child outside of wedlock, you are not married, and so there is just no need bringing God into that. There is no need spiritualizing it. Honestly you can give your testimony without implicating God’s word and His standard. Just say that you wanted to be a mother and now you are about to be a mother, or you are a mother already. There is no need to infuse God into it because, according to God’s standard, the only right way to be a parent is in the premise of marriage.”

Anothe Instagram user, @iamkennethudeh, also commented: “God’s standard is a good man and good woman to bear and raise children and live happily. Don’t normalise this abnormally for our young men and women, child without a father and you are even posting.”

While some viewed such remarks as judgmental, others felt they echoed long-standing cultural beliefs about marriage and parenting.

Throughout all the noise, Toke Makinwa has maintained her silence on the identity of her unborn child’s father, focusing instead on celebrating what she describes as a new and fulfilling season in her life

Beyond the Gossip

Beyond the frenzy, Makinwa’s announcement resonated because it spoke to broader themes: women defining family on their own terms, the intersection of faith and timing, and the pressure society places on female celebrities.

For many, her story reinforces that motherhood and fulfilment can come at any stage, irrespective of age or marital status.

As one fan wrote in a widely shared comment: “Toke’s journey is proof that delay is not denial.”

Entertainment

Music Earnings Couldn’t Have Sponsored My Wedding To Otedola’s Daughter – Mr Eazi

Published

2 days ago

August 22, 2025

Editor

Nigerian singer and entrepreneur, Mr Eazi has insinuated that his music earnings alone couldn’t have covered the expenses of his wedding to actress Temi Otedola, daughter of billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola.

The ‘Leg Over’ crooner stated this while reacting to an X user who claimed that he was trying to recoup his wedding expenses by releasing his new single, ‘Cassanova.’

Reacting, Mr Easy said, “U think sey music go fit pay for that wedding my G? lol”.

However, another X user stated that Mr Eazi’s earnings from 2018 could have sponsored the wedding.

Responding, the singer explained that he had a successful hit-run in 2017-2018, but it was his most financially challenging year in the past decade.

“You got a point tho, but 2017-18 is the brokest I’ve been in the last 9 years! But all the music I put out then enter like mad sha im really thankful,” he wrote.

DAILY POST reported that Mr Eazi and Temi held their wedding in a private Iceland ceremony recently.

The couple got engaged in April 2022 in London, England.

Mr Eazi has previously revealed that he met Temi through her elder sister, DJ Cuppy, who was his friend.

Entertainment

Toughest Prison Is Home Without Peace’ – Naira Marley Gives Relationship Advice

Published

2 days ago

August 22, 2025

Editor

Controversial Nigerian singer and rapper, Azeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley, has shared relationship advice for singles.

The Marlian boss urged single people to be very mindful of who they choose to date or marry, stressing that the toughest prison is a home without peace.

On his X handle, he wrote, “Be careful who you date and marry, the toughest prison is a home without peace.”

Naira Marley has kept his private life from the media. Despite revealing that he has twin daughters, Aishat and Simiat, the identity of their mother has remained a secret.

In April this year, popular Instagram model and TikToker, Sandra Benede, claimed that she is the mother of Naira Marley’s twins but later denied her claims.

Recall that Naira Marley and Sandra Benede sparked relationship rumours in 2022, after she wished him a happy birthday with a cozy video of them in bed.

The couple appeared to have since separated as they stopped hanging out and posting each other.