Netflix reported their second-quarter earnings on Thursday, and the streaming giant exceeded expectations, sending its stock surging 8%. The company added 13 million new subscribers in the second quarter, far surpassing the 7.5 million it had projected. This brought their total subscriber count to 193 million, making them the world’s largest streaming service.

The impressive surge in subscribers came as a result of the global lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With people spending more time at home, the demand for digital entertainment surged, boosting Netflix’s subscriber numbers across the globe. The company’s strong content strategy also contributed to their success, with several popular titles released during the quarter, including “Tiger King” and “The Old Guard”.

The rise in subscribers also translated to a considerable increase in revenue for Netflix. The company reported a revenue of $6.15 billion for the quarter, up 25% from the same period last year. Their earnings per share also exceeded expectations, coming in at $1.59 compared to the projected $1.81.

In addition to the strong subscriber growth, Netflix also saw a surge in engagement on their platform. With people staying at home, the number of hours spent watching content on Netflix increased, further boosting the company’s performance.

The company’s success in the second quarter comes as a strong validation of their investment in content production and their ability to attract and retain subscribers. With competition in the streaming space intensifying, Netflix has continued to focus on creating compelling original content to differentiate themselves from other players in the market.

Looking ahead, Netflix is optimistic about the future and expects to continue their strong subscriber growth in the third quarter. However, they have cautioned that the pandemic-induced surge in subscriber numbers may not be sustainable in the long term, as the world begins to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite the uncertainty, investors have responded positively to Netflix’s earnings report, driving the stock to surge 8%. The company’s successful quarter and the addition of 13 million subscribers have demonstrated the resilience of the streaming service and reaffirmed its position as a leader in the industry. As the streaming landscape continues to rapidly evolve, Netflix’s ability to adapt and innovate will be crucial in maintaining their momentum and retaining their subscriber base.