Streaming giant’s leader promises to maintain traditional release patterns for Warner Bros. films if massive acquisition deal proceeds
Netflix co-chief executive Ted Sarandos has reinforced his commitment to maintaining theatrical release windows should the streaming platform successfully complete its $82.7 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery’s studio and streaming operations. The executive’s remarks came during an unexpected appearance at a Tuesday evening event in Paris, where he sought to address mounting concerns from cinema operators and industry stakeholders about the future of theatrical distribution under Netflix ownership.
Sarandos explained that Netflix intends to continue releasing Warner Bros. studio productions in theaters using traditional exhibition windows, marking a significant shift in the streaming company’s historical approach to content distribution. The executive acknowledged that Netflix previously avoided theatrical releases primarily because the company lacked its own distribution infrastructure for cinema screenings.
The Netflix leader noted that the streaming service had been monetizing films through its subscription platform as the most effective strategy for accelerating business growth. However, the potential Warner Bros. acquisition would fundamentally alter that equation by providing Netflix with established theatrical distribution capabilities it has never possessed.
Concerns about theatrical future
The comments arrive amid widespread apprehension among theater owners and other entertainment industry participants that a Netflix acquisition of Warner Bros. could damage the theatrical exhibition business. Warner Bros. has maintained strong relationships with cinema chains and consistently released major productions through traditional windows, generating billions in box office revenue over decades.
Sarandos emphasized Netflix’s relative inexperience in certain aspects of traditional entertainment production and distribution. Highlighting that the streaming platform has only produced original programming for approximately 12 years, he stressed how rapidly Netflix has worked to build its content library. The executive acknowledged that Netflix has maintained an aggressive production schedule, greenlighting and producing virtually everything under consideration without developing the deep project pipeline typical of legacy studios.
Learning from Warner Bros legacy
The Netflix library extends back merely a decade, while Warner Bros. boasts a century of filmmaking history and accumulated expertise. Sarandos recognized that Warner Bros. possesses extensive knowledge in areas where Netflix lacks experience, particularly in theatrical distribution mechanics and the intricate relationships with exhibition partners that underpin successful cinema releases.
During the Paris event organized by Canal Plus Group to showcase its StudioCanal studio’s upcoming content, Sarandos participated in an onstage conversation with Canal Plus Group chairman and chief executive Maxime Saada. The discussion touched on whether Netflix would maintain its existing partnership with Canal Plus following a Warner Bros. acquisition.
The streaming executive indicated Netflix would continue competing for premium event programming and specialized sports content, including major boxing matches, while affirming that film and television production remains the company’s core mission. The response suggested Netflix intends to balance its traditional streaming focus with expanded theatrical and live event offerings enabled by Warner Bros. assets.
Industry transformation acknowledged
Saada offered recognition of Netflix’s role in transforming French consumer behavior around paid television content. Before Netflix entered the French market, approximately 30 percent of the population paid for television services. The Canal Plus executive credited Netflix’s service proposition and user experience with convincing French audiences to embrace paid streaming, driving penetration of paid television to 75 percent.
The Tuesday evening event also featured StudioCanal chief executive Anna Marsh reaffirming her company’s dedication to theatrical release windows. Marsh unveiled a new film project titled Elsinore, featuring actors Andrew Scott and Olivia Colman, demonstrating StudioCanal’s continued investment in cinema focused productions.
The broader entertainment industry continues monitoring developments around the Netflix Warner Bros. transaction, which would represent one of the largest media acquisitions in history and fundamentally reshape competitive dynamics across streaming, theatrical exhibition and content production sectors.