Los Angeles Times

Netflix to sell $2 billion in junk bonds

- By Molly Smith Smith writes for Bloomberg.

Netf lix Inc. is returning to the junk bond market to fund its content expansion as the streaming video giant comes under pressure from media titans including Walt Disney Co., AT&T Inc. and Apple Inc.

The streaming company is selling $2 billion of bonds in a two-part offering denominate­d in dollars and euros, it said Tuesday.

It said the proceeds will be used for purposes that may include investing in content, production and developmen­t.

The notes will mature in 10 years and can’t be bought back, according to a person with knowledge of the matter. Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs Group Inc., JPMorgan Chase & Co., Deutsche Bank and Wells Fargo & Co. are managing the bond sale, said the person, who asked not to be identified because the details were private. The bonds are expected to price Wednesday.

Netflix is coming off a quarter in which its forecast for new subscriber­s fell short of analysts’ estimates. It has been raising prices in some of its largest territorie­s, trying to shift toward profitabil­ity as the competitio­n among streaming services mounts.

Los Gatos, Calif.-based Netf lix has traditiona­lly borrowed semiannual­ly following its first- and third-quarter results in April and October, respective­ly, amassing a $10-billion debt load in the process.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United States