Ted Sarandos, Co-CEO of Netflix, recently revealed an impressive lineup of upcoming content that promises to keep the streaming giant at the forefront of the industry through 2026.
Ted Sarandos: 37 Reasons Netflix’s Programming Will Thrive Through 2026
Ted Sarandos has always had an uncanny grasp of titles and stars, conjuring them in his pre-internet days as a video store clerk and frequently referencing them during his 25-year tenure at Netflix.
A Record-Breaking Earnings Call
During a recent earnings call, Sarandos set a personal record by mentioning no fewer than 37 series, films, and events soon to stream on Netflix. This impressive display coincided with the company’s semi-annual data dump, revealing viewership statistics for thousands of titles.
Streaming Trends and Future Confidence
Unlike other companies, Netflix’s earnings calls are livestreamed on YouTube, allowing analysts to submit questions. J.P. Morgan analyst Doug Anmuth raised concerns about the company’s recent hits, such as the third season of Squid Game. He asked Sarandos how confident he was that both licensed and original programming momentum could continue through 2026.
Sarandos addressed the long-term trend of linear to streaming, emphasizing that while hits can accelerate growth, a consistent output of quality content is essential. “It’s not about the single hit. It’s about a steady drumbeat of shows and films that our members love and expect from us,” he stated.
Quality Content and Emmy Nominations
He also highlighted Netflix’s recent Emmy nominations, recognizing 44 individual shows, showcasing the platform’s quality at scale. While HBO and HBO Max had more nominations, they did so with fewer shows.
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Upcoming Titles
Sarandos mentioned notable upcoming titles, including the final season of Squid Game, a new season of Wednesday, and the concluding episodes of Stranger Things. He also teased a strong slate of supporting titles like Untamed and Leanne.
Upcoming films include Happy Gilmore 2, Knives Out 3, and Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein. Sarandos assured viewers that the momentum would roll into 2026.
Future Series and Films
Next year’s highlights will feature Apex with Charlize Theron and Enola Holmes 3 with Millie Bobby Brown. Series expected in 2026 include new seasons of Bridgerton, One Piece, and Avatar: The Last Airbender, among others.
Sarandos concluded by mentioning the reboot of Star Search and the Roald Dahl-based reality competition Wonka’s Golden Ticket. He also noted the NFL’s Christmas Day games, expressing excitement for the future.
His extensive list of upcoming titles impressed even his colleagues, with Co-CEO Greg Peters commenting on the overwhelming demand for more content from Netflix’s members.
