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‘Stranger Things’ ushered in a new era for Netflix
Noah Schnapp, Caleb McLaughlin, Finn Wolfhard and Gaten Matarazzo star in Season 5 of Netflix’s “Stranger Things.”
Courtesy: Netflix
The original concept for what would become “Stranger Things” was rejected by more than 15 studios before landing a spot on Netflix’s roster of original programming.
A decade later, the show created, written and directed by Matt and Ross Duffer has become one of the biggest cultural touchstones of the streaming era and has solidified Netflix as not just a competitor, but a leader in the space.
“People always talk about Netflix and [say] our big moment was when we’d put on ‘House of Cards,’ and that was a big deal. But our real moment was when we put on ‘Stranger Things,'” co-CEO Ted Sarandos said during the “Stranger Things” Season 5 premiere in Los Angeles last month.
“‘House of Cards’ was great. It kind of told the world that we’re going to make some really good TV shows,” he continued. “But with ‘Stranger Things,’ this was a lot closer to a ‘Star Wars’ moment. This is a show, characters that move the culture, that spawned live events and consumer products and spinoffs and sequels.”
The final bow
Released in 2016, “Stranger Things” is set in the ’80s and centers on a group of middle schoolers in a fictional rural town in Indiana who must navigate paranormal and supernatural occurrences following the disappearance of their friend. In the mix is a young girl with psychokinetic powers who has escaped from a secret research lab, an alcoholic police chief who is trying to find the missing boy and a frantic mother.
Now, almost a decade later, the fifth and final season is making its staggered debut on Netflix.
An advertisement for “Stranger Things” on one of Netflix’s buildings in the Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles, Dec. 2, 2025.
Mike Blake | Reuters
Volume 1, which consists of the first four episodes, debuted over the Thanksgiving holiday and amassed 59.6 million views in the first five days, the biggest premiere week for an English-language series on Netflix. It ranks third overall behind Season 2 and Season 3 of the Korean series “Squid Game.”
In its second week on the platform, Volume 1 generated another 23.6 million views, topping the streamer’s weekly charts, and each of the previous four seasons saw week-over-week viewership bumps, as fans rewatched prior episodes, Netflix reported.
Volume 2 of “Stranger Things” Season 5, which contains three episodes, arrives on Christmas, and the finale episode, which has a run time of a little over two hours, is set for New Year’s Eve. The finale will be available for viewing in select theaters New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
In a break with tradition, Netflix will not be selling tickets for these screenings. Instead, more than 500 domestic cinemas will sell concession vouchers that will guarantee seating for the showings. These vouchers can be used toward purchases of food and beverages at the venues. Furthermore, theater owners will keep all revenue from these purchases.
Netflix and exhibitors have tangled in the past over release terms, as the streamer does not commit to a prolonged run in theaters for movies that it wants to be eligible for awards contention.
“Nothing would make us happier than to play Netflix theatrical movies in our theaters,” AMC’s CEO Adam Aron said in a statement earlier this month. “We think that could be beneficial for all involved. But as we need to treat our existing studio partners fairly, there is much that still needs to be sorted out to that end. Even so, there is progress.”
Turning culture upside down
“Stranger Things” has brought about a renaissance of the 1980s, reviving fashion trends, music and even discontinued food brands for a new generation.
When the series debuted, Netflix partnered with consumer brands to create T-shirts, mugs, plush toys and the like, but it was predominantly working with licensees. This means it was collecting fees for other companies to design and make the products, or participating in brand partnerships where no fees were exchanged.
In 2019, the company launched its own consumer products division and two years later its own officially licensed online shop.
Coinciding with the launch of the final season of “Stranger Things,” Netflix announced dozens of partnerships and collaborations with brands across the merchandise, retail and restaurant spectrum.
The streamer has tapped Lego, Funko, Squishmallows, Hasbro, Jazwares and Care Bears to bring “Stranger Things” toys and collectibles to fans of the series. It has apparel and lifestyle deals with Gap, Nike, Crocs, CoverGirl, Zara and Wrangler, among others, and food and beverage collaborations with the likes of Eggo, Doritos, Kellogg, Gatorade and Starbucks.
Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven in the first season of Netflix’s “Stranger Things.”
Courtesy: Netflix
“We are incredibly excited to partner with so many fantastic brands, offering fans — and fellow nerds — the largest collection of products and experiences in ‘Stranger Things’ history and one of our biggest campaigns yet as we celebrate the fifth and final season of this globally beloved series,” said Marian Lee, Netflix’s chief marketing officer, in a statement earlier this month.
Outside the retail space, Netflix has delved into the live event space, bringing “Stranger Things” to life through an immersive experience that enables fans to explore Hawkins Lab and other iconic locations from the series. It’s currently running in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and will open in Mexico City next month.
There is also a play called “Stranger Things: The First Shadow,” which has been running in the West End in London since 2023 and in New York since this spring.
In addition, Netflix has a deal with Epic Games that has brought “Stranger Things” items to the popular online video game Fortnite.
Netflix’s merchandise and live events strategy is more than a way for the company to generate revenue outside of its streaming subscriptions. It helps keep fans engaged with its content during show hiatuses and in between movie sequels, industry experts said.
The cast of Netflix’s “Stranger Things” Season 5.
Courtesy: Netflix
This playbook is not unique to Netflix, but it showcases the maturation of the streaming service. “Strangers Things” is less of a blueprint that can be adopted by every Netflix show or film, but rather a gold standard for what is possible.
“[Netflix] had a few good shows early on (‘Orange is the New Black’ and ‘House of Cards’), but it took a couple of years of whiffs before they came up with ‘Stranger Things,'” Michael Pachter, analyst at Wedbush, told CNBC via email. “They have had a ton of success since, with shows like ‘Squid Game’ and ‘Bridgerton,’ but it was questionable if they could settle on a formula for coming up with original IP.
“‘Stranger Things’ has remained a solid IP throughout, and has driven a lot of recognition,” he added.
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The move is expected to provide an immediate and substantial boost to Nepal’s economy, particularly its tourism and hospitality sectors, which rely heavily on Indian visitors
The original restrictions on high-value Indian currency were severely tightened in Nepal following the 2016 demonetisation in India, which withdrew old ₹500 and ₹1,000 notes. Representational image
Nepal is preparing to officially permit the circulation of Indian currency notes above the ₹100 denomination, marking the end of a nearly decade-long ban that has significantly complicated cross-border travel, trade, and remittances between the two countries. The move, currently in its final stages with the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) preparing to publish the official notice, follows a crucial regulatory shift by India’s central bank.
The original restrictions on high-value Indian currency were severely tightened in Nepal following the 2016 demonetisation in India, which withdrew old ₹500 and ₹1,000 notes. Even after new notes were introduced, Nepal maintained the ban on all denominations above ₹100 due to concerns over the smuggling of counterfeit currency and security risks. This policy forced Indian tourists and Nepali migrant workers to carry large wads of low-denomination notes, leading to financial hardship, confusion, and frequent incidents of travellers being detained or fined for inadvertent violations.
India’s Regulatory Green Light
The pivotal change that has allowed Nepal to reverse course came from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). In late November 2025, the RBI amended its Foreign Exchange Management Regulations, formally allowing individuals to transport higher-denomination Indian rupee notes across the border.
The new rule specifies that individuals can carry Indian currency notes of any amount in denominations up to ₹100. Crucially, they are now permitted to carry notes above ₹100 up to a total value of ₹25,000 in either direction—both into Nepal and back into India. This amendment effectively removed the main legal constraint that previously limited the practical utility of higher-value notes for travellers.
Boosting Tourism and Easing Remittances
The lifting of the ban is expected to provide an immediate and substantial boost to Nepal’s economy, particularly its tourism and hospitality sectors, which rely heavily on Indian visitors. Businesses in border towns, casinos, and pilgrimage routes that cater to Indian tourists have been vocal in lobbying for this change, as the previous restrictions limited spending power.
Furthermore, the decision is a massive relief for the estimated two million Nepali migrant workers in India, who previously faced major security risks when bringing home their earnings in small denominations. The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) spokesperson, Guru Prasad Poudel, confirmed that the process is nearing completion, stating they are preparing to publish the notice in the Nepal Gazette before issuing circulars to banks and financial institutions, ushering in a new era of smoother financial integration between the two neighbours.
Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. December 14, 2025, 01:21 IST
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8th Pay Commission: Railways to trim costs to accommodate higher wages; maintenance, procurement, energy sectors in focus – The Times of India
Railways is implementing focused cost-cutting initiatives across maintenance, procurement and energy sectors to fortify its financial position before dealing with increased wage expenses anticipated from the Eighth Pay Commission recommendations.Established in January 2024, the Eighth Pay Commission must submit its recommendations within an 18-month timeframe.The previous Seventh Pay Commission led to wage increases of 14-26% for railway staff. Its implementation began in 2016, with tenure concluding in January 2026. The national transporter is currently emphasising expense reduction to enhance operational efficiency over the next two years to prevent financial strain from the forthcoming recommendations.The Seventh Pay Commission increased the wage expenditure by Rs 22,000 crore, including salaries and pensions, whilst the current projection suggests a potential rise of Rs 30,000 crore. “We have planned for the additional fund requirement,” a senior official told Economic Times, stating that internal accruals, combined with projected savings and increased freight revenue, would cover the expenses.Indian Railways recorded an operating ratio (OR) of 98.90% in fiscal 2024-25, resulting in net revenue of Rs 1,341.31 crore. For fiscal 2025-26, the target OR is 98.43% with anticipated net revenue of Rs 3041.31 crore.Officials anticipate annual energy savings of Rs 5,000 crore following network electrification completion.Additionally, yearly payments to Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) are expected to decrease in fiscal 2027-28, as recent capital expenditure has been funded through gross budgetary support (GBS).Officials confirm no plans for new short-term borrowing. “Annual freight earnings will also rise by Rs 15,000 crore when higher wages need to be paid in 2027-28,” the official stated.The Seventh Pay Commission implemented a 2.57 fitment factor, raising minimum basic pay from Rs 7,000 to Rs 17,990. Central trade unions advocate for a 2.86 fitment factor for the Eighth Pay Commission, potentially increasing the national transporter’s wage bill by over 22%.“Railways will ensure its finances are in a good condition to absorb the hit. Funds would not be an issue,” the official confirmed.The Railways has allocated Rs 1.28 lakh crore for staff costs in 2025-26, increased from Rs 1.17 lakh crore in 2024-25. Additionally, Rs 68,602.69 crore is earmarked for the pension fund in FY26, up from Rs 66,358.69 crore in FY25.
New Delhi: Gold and silver prices witnessed a sharp surge in the domestic market this week, tracking strong gains in global bullion markets. Gold prices rose by around Rs 4,000 per 10 grams, while silver prices jumped by nearly Rs 17,000 per kilogram. According to data from the India Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA), the price of 24-karat gold increased by Rs 4,188 to Rs 1,32,710 per 10 grams, compared to Rs 1,28,592 a week ago.
The price of 22-karat gold climbed to Rs 1,21,562 per 10 grams from Rs 1,17,777, while 18-karat gold rose to Rs 99,533 per 10 grams from Rs 96,444. Silver prices outperformed gold, registering a sharper weekly rise. The price of silver surged by Rs 16,970 to Rs 1,95,180 per kilogram, up from Rs 1,78,210 per kilogram a week earlier.
Earlier on Friday, Silver touched the Rs 2 lakh mark to hit an all-time high of Rs 2,013,88 per kilogram on the Multi-Commodity Exchange (MCX) during the intraday trade. The price of the future contract expiring on March 5, 2026, rose over Rs 2,400 during the day before settling at Rs 2,00462, up Rs 1,520 against the previous session’s closing of Rs 1,98,942.
“Gold and silver ETFs have been quiet heroes of the year, delivering standout returns even as equity markets saw bouts of volatility. Silver, especially, stole the spotlight — a rare combination of booming industrial demand from solar, EVs and electronics, alongside tightening global supply, pushed prices sharply higher,” said Nikunj Saraf, CEO, Choice Wealth.
Gold too held its ground and climbed steadily, supported by persistent central-bank buying and investors seeking safety amid geopolitical and inflation worries, he added. The gold future contract expiring on February 5 surged 1.87 per cent to close at Rs 1,34,948 per 10 grams on MCX on Friday. In the retail market, the 24-carat gold price settled at Rs 132,710 per 10 grams, up over Rs 4,600 from the previous day’s closing of Rs 1,28,596 per 10 grams, according to the IBJA.
The rally in domestic bullion prices is largely driven by continued strength in international markets, with both precious metals hovering close to their all-time highs. On the COMEX, gold was trading at $4,328 per ounce, while silver stood at $62 per ounce.
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