Ted Sarandos, one of Netflix’s co-CEOs, has told Hollywood that the streaming giant is still committed to releasing movies in theaters and won’t ignore them. This statement comes at a time when people are wondering if Netflix will buy Warner Bros. Discovery. Sarandos promised that Warner Bros. films would have at least a 45-day theatrical window.
Sarandos stressed that Netflix respects the “phenomenal” theatrical distribution model that makes billions of dollars. He explained his previous comments about theaters being “outdated” for most people who live outside of cities by stressing how unique the movie-going experience is. Netflix wants to compete at the box office and win while also offering streaming.
The promise eases worries that Netflix’s focus on streaming would mean shorter theater runs or faster home releases. Sarandos made Netflix out to be “saving Hollywood” by giving customers what they wanted, like limited theatrical runs for awards eligibility like “Emilia Pérez.” This mixed method helps both theaters and subscribers.
Netflix already owns theaters like LA’s Bay Theatre and plans to release special versions of important movies. If the Warner Bros. deal goes through, traditional windows will stay in place, possibly like Amazon’s MGM model. People who follow the industry say that 45 days is a step in the right direction, but they want formal promises for big releases.
