Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said the streaming giant is “committed” to theatrical releases for Warner Bros. films after acquisition but promised “evolving windows.”
As the dust settles over Netflix’s blockbuster bid to acquire Warner Bros., the streaming giant’s co-CEO Ted Sarandos has publicly promised that Warner Bros. films will continue to hit movie theatres even after the merger. The pledge comes amid growing anxiety among cinema owners and film-industry veterans about what the acquisition could mean for theatrical distribution.
“It’s not like we have this opposition to movies into theatres,” Sarandos said during a recent investor call. He emphasised that Warner Bros.’ theatrical output “will continue to go to the theatres.”
He clarified that what the company rejects is “long, exclusive windows”, the traditional practice where a movie stays in theatres for a long period before it becomes available on streaming. Instead, Netflix suggests that cinematic windows will “evolve” to become more “consumer-friendly,” reflecting changing viewer habits. He added, “It’s not like we have this opposition to movies into theatres,” Sarandos said. “When we talk about keeping HBO operating, largely as it is, that also includes their output movie deal with Warner Bros., which includes a life cycle that starts in the movie theatre, which we’re going to continue to support.”
He further stated, “I think, over time, the windows will evolve to be much more consumer friendly, to be able to meet the audience where they are quicker…I’d say right now, you should count on everything that is planned on going to the theatre through Warner Bros. will continue to go to the theatres through Warner Bros., and Netflix movies will take the same strides they have, which is, some of them do have a short run in the theatre beforehand. But our primary goal is to bring first-run movies to our members, because that’s what they’re looking for.”
Why This Commitment Matters And Why It’s Met With Skepticism
The acquisition of Warner Bros., valued at roughly 82.7 billion USD, merges one of Hollywood’s oldest studios responsible for decades of iconic films, with Netflix’s global streaming reach.
For cinema chains and theatre-owners, this could be a fleeting relief. Many fear the pledge is only a temporary appeasement. A major theatre-trade group, Cinema United, has already called the deal “an unprecedented threat to the global exhibition business,” warning that the acquisition could endanger the viability of both big multiplexes and smaller independent screens.
Critics argue that once existing theatrical-release obligations expire, Netflix may revert to its familiar streaming-first model, limiting theatrical runs to token showings or awards-qualifying windows, rather than long, wide releases.
What This Means for Cinegoers And the Future of Cinema
For now, movie-lovers may continue to see upcoming Warner Bros blockbusters on the big screen, at least those already in the pipeline or under existing agreements. But the long-term picture remains uncertain.
If Netflix shortens theatrical windows and shifts most releases directly to streaming, it could accelerate a shift away from traditional cinema-going. That would change not just what audiences see, but how they see it. For fans of the big-screen experience the evolution may bring less excitement.
At the same time, a “consumer-friendly” model could offer advantages: quicker access to new films from home, especially for global audiences who may otherwise wait months for releases.
End of Article
