Netflix reported its first-quarter 2026 earnings Thursday, revealing that during the January-March period it strongly beat analyst expectations in revenue and earnings. The results come on the heels of Netflix’s back-and-forth battle with Paramount Skydance for Warner Bros.

The big beat at the bottom line was thanks in large part to a $2.8 billion termination fee Netflix received for not getting Warner Bros. (and paid out by Paramount). The result has cash flow fans salivating.

This is a classic disconnect between the results and investor reaction -- but Reed Hastings will be missed.

Revenue for the quarter rose 16% to $12.3 billion, driven by a mix of subscriber growth, price increases and a rapidly scaling ads business

At CinemaCon, movie theater owners have come out swinging against Paramount’s merger with Warner Bros., worrying that a sale will lead to fewer films. This week, A-list stars from Ben Stiller to Javier Bardem and Kristen Stewart signed a petition opposing the sale and arguing it would lead “fewer opportunities for creators,

There's a sizable coalition lining up to stop David Ellison's $111 billion effort. Would Ted Sarandos' team have faced less resistance?

Opinion: The lesson for deal lawyers from Paramount's successful bid for Warner Brothers Discovery is clear: Regulatory gravity now exerts pricing power.

If we don’t defend the right of businesses to merge and speak freely, we will soon find that the only voices left are those the government has cleared for broadcast.