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With YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram leading mobile video viewing, Netflix is redesigning its mobile app to better compete. In its fourth-quarter earnings call on Tuesday, January 20, the streaming giant announced plans to overhaul its mobile platform. Also, the platform is including short videos, aiming to boost engagement and facilitate content discovery.
The revamped mobile application, set to debut in late 2026, aims to “enhance the growth of our business in the upcoming decade,” stated co-CEO Greg Peters. The update will act as a basis for continued experimentation, enabling Netflix to “iterate, test, evolve, and enhance” its services over time.
Adopting Short Videos
Central to the redesign is a more thorough incorporation of vertical video feeds, which Netflix has been experimenting with since May. These swipeable short videos showcase brief segments from Netflix series and films, using a style recognisable to TikTok and Instagram Reels users.
Venturing into Video Podcasts
Netflix is making a notable entry into video podcasts, a field that YouTube has long controlled. The company recently launched its inaugural original video podcasts starring notable figures like Pete Davidson and Michael Irvin. Also, Netflix has collaborated with prominent entities like Spotify and iHeartMedia to offer a rich video podcast content on the platform.
Collectively, these actions demonstrate a broader approach to transforming Netflix into a more social platform for discovering and engaging with content, while preserving a unique identity centred on entertainment rather than merely imitating TikTok or Instagram.
Adjusting to an Evolving Streaming Environment
Co-CEO Ted Sarandos emphasised the increasing competitive challenges for streaming platforms: “There has never been greater competition for creators, consumer focus, advertising, and subscription revenue.” Television has evolved beyond what we knew in our childhood, it now includes various forms of media, including short videos.
Netflix is evolving, testing various ideas and is now finalizing plans to acquire Warner Bros. These actions highlight the company’s willingness to merge conventional boundaries between cinema, streaming, and social media content.
Great Financial Performance
Despite these changes, Netflix continues to report robust financial performance. In 2025, the firm reported $45.2 billion in revenue, with advertising income exceeding $1.5 billion, and exceeding 325 million paying subscribers in Q4. The app’s overhaul and introduction of short-form videos and podcasts aim to leverage this momentum, solidifying Netflix as a primary hub for entertainment in a mobile-first social environment.
By presenting its app as a platform for both streaming and discovery, Netflix aims to attract daily interaction in a more fragmented media landscape. Also, the company is competing not just with other streaming services but also with the broader social and digital entertainment ecosystem.
