📺 Media is a Tough Business for Profits—Unless You’re Netflix

What We’re Showing:

This chart compares the net profit margins of six big media companies where media and entertainment is a core business venture.

All data sourced from various company reports with the latest full-year figures. Please read the footnotes for a list of years used.

Netflix Can Chill (For Now)

Netflix is head-and-shoulders above its peers when it comes to profitability. In 2023, they made 16 cents in profit for every dollar earned.

Meanwhile, media behemoths Sony and Disney’s profits are between 5-8 cents for every dollar earned, though both their revenues dwarf Netflix’s.

Worth mentioning that both companies are somewhat more diversified: parks and experiences for Disney and gaming consoles and technology for Sony.

And the other pure play media companies like Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery are currently losing money.