Netflix is undertaking a strategic review of its mobile application's role within the social-first video landscape. The company announced plans to revamp its mobile app and expand its short-form video features, which are intended to promote a new slate of original video podcasts.
Mobile App Redesign
The redesigned mobile app is scheduled to launch in late 2026. According to co-CEO Greg Peters, this update will serve as a foundation for ongoing experimentation, enabling the company to iterate and improve its offerings over time. A central element of the redesign is the deeper integration of vertical video feeds, a format that displays short clips from Netflix shows and movies, akin to TikTok and Instagram Reels.
Peters noted that these clips could include new content types such as video podcasts, indicating Netflix's view of short-form video as a tool for user engagement within the app.
Push into Video Podcasts
Netflix is expanding into video podcasts, a sector where YouTube has been a leader. The company recently debuted its first original video podcasts, featuring personalities like Pete Davidson and Michael Irvin. Additionally, Netflix has formed partnerships with major podcast platforms, including Spotify and iHeartMedia, to integrate established video podcast libraries onto its platform.
This strategy is described as experimentation rather than imitation, aiming to strengthen entertainment discovery through mobile-first features, as stated by CTO Elizabeth Stone at the TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 conference.
Industry Context and Financials
Co-CEO Ted Sarandos commented on the broader industry shift, where streaming services compete with the entire entertainment sector, including traditional television, social platforms, and film. Sarandos highlighted the blurring lines between different forms of content consumption.
Netflix's film strategy is also evolving, with an openness to hybrid distribution models, particularly as the company prepares to acquire Warner Bros.
In 2025, Netflix reported $45.2 billion in revenue, with ad revenue exceeding $1.5 billion. The company surpassed 325 million paid subscriptions in the fourth quarter.