Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria has pushed back against the notion that younger audiences are abandoning long-form content for short-form video platforms like Alphabet’s YouTube.
“I think it’s too hand-wavy or dismissive to say, ‘Oh, young people only watch short things.’ That’s not true,” Bajaria told CNBC on Thursday, arguing that compelling programming continues to draw younger viewers regardless of format.
Bajaria pointed to hits like “Wednesday” and “Stranger Things” as evidence that strong television can still capture the attention of younger demographics across all viewing habits.
The comments come as Netflix outlines a multi-pronged growth strategy built around live events, global programming, advertising, and premium film and television content.
Bajaria said Netflix takes a selective, opportunistic approach to live sports and events rather than chasing every available rights package on the market.
The company is targeting programming that can generate cultural relevance and appointment viewing, including NFL games, boxing matches, concerts, and other high-profile live events.
“You may come for this one big event that you’ve heard of, or you’re a big fan of that sport,” Bajaria said, adding that viewers may stay because Netflix continues to invest in other programming across its library.
Live events also support Netflix’s advertising business by giving brands access to large, engaged global audiences during major broadcasts and sports programming.
Despite the ambitious strategy, Bajaria said Netflix will remain disciplined within its roughly $20 billion content budget and should “continue to stay the course at our strategy and the investment and being disciplined.”
Netflix also remains open to partnerships with other media companies, having already established arrangements with France’s TF1, with future deals depending on economics and each partner’s broader strategy.
On the technical side, NFLX is trading 1.2% above its 50-day simple moving average of $75.80, though the stock remains 10.6% below its 200-day simple moving average of $85.83.
A death cross formed in December 2025 continues to weigh on the longer-term technical picture, with the relative strength index at 45.28 signaling neutral momentum.
Key resistance sits near $82.50, while support is around $75, close to the 50-day simple moving average, suggesting a potential rebound within a broader downtrend rather than a confirmed reversal.
Analyst sentiment remains constructive, with the stock carrying a Buy consensus rating and an average price forecast of $91.14, while Evercore ISI Group raised its price target to $110 with an Outperform rating on September 14.
Netflix scores 89.95 on quality and 82.28 on growth in the Benzinga Edge Rankings, though momentum remains weak at 8.96, reflecting strong underlying fundamentals against softer price performance.
