Netflix Competes with Warner Bros. Discovery and Hulu for Beer Money
Netflix has struck a deal with AB InBev, the brewing giant known for brands like Budweiser, Corona, and Stella Artois. This means you might start seeing ads for these popular beers while you’re binge-watching your favorite shows. A recent study by Ampere Analysis shows that while Hulu and Warner Bros. Discovery’s streaming services have been dominating alcohol brand advertising, Netflix is just starting to dip its toes into this lucrative market.
Netflix’s ad-supported tier has been growing, with 94 million monthly users tuning in. And with upcoming live ad slots during big events like the NFL’s Christmas Day 2025, the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, and various boxing promotions, Netflix is gearing up to make a splash in the advertising world. Historically, only 0.15% of ads on Netflix were for alcohol brands, compared to 4.3% on Hulu. This new partnership with AB InBev is set to change that.
When it comes to alcohol advertising on streaming platforms, Hulu has been leading the pack, streaming 88% of the 180 ads for alcoholic drinks over the last seven months. HBO Max and Discovery+ also held a significant share of alcohol ads during this period. AB InBev and Diageo are the top alcohol advertisers in this space, focusing on brands like Modelo, Corona, Baileys Irish cream, Crown Royal whiskey, and Smirnoff vodka.
With this new deal, Netflix gains a major player in the alcohol advertising category. By combining their top shows and live events with AB InBev’s products, Netflix can offer targeted advertising to viewers around the world. Expect to see more ads for Modelo, Corona, and other AB InBev brands on Netflix, especially during food, crime, and drama shows like “The Bear,” “Criminal Minds,” and “The Sopranos.”
Analysts predict that Netflix’s share of alcohol advertising will increase with this new partnership, challenging Hulu and Warner Bros. Discovery’s dominance in this space. So, don’t be surprised if you start seeing more beer ads on your Netflix streams in the near future. Cheers to that!
