The proposed Netflix Warner Bros. deal continues to move from speculation to serious industry reckoning, as Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos has now publicly laid down a specific commitment regarding theatrical releases should Netflix’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery move forward.
Speaking in a recent interview with The New York Times, as reported by Deadline, Sarandos directly addressed one of the most persistent fears surrounding the potential merger: that Netflix would gut Warner Bros.’ traditional theatrical model in favor of rapid streaming debuts.
Instead, Sarandos stated unequivocally that Netflix would maintain a 45-day theatrical window for Warner Bros. films.
Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos – YouTube, WSJ News
“We will run that business largely like it is today, with 45-day windows,” Sarandos said.
This marks the first time Sarandos has attached a concrete number to Netflix’s theatrical intentions in the context of the Warner Bros. acquisition, and it represents a notable shift from Netflix’s early reputation as a company openly hostile to theaters.
Netflix’s Changing Tune on Theatrical Releases
Sarandos framed the commitment not as a concession, but as a business imperative. He emphasized that Warner Bros.’ theatrical infrastructure remains enormously valuable and profitable — and not something Netflix intends to undermine.
“When this deal closes, we will own a theatrical distribution engine that is phenomenal and produces billions of dollars of theatrical revenue that we don’t want to put at risk,” Sarandos said.
Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) – YouTube, Netflix
He went further, rejecting the idea that Netflix views theatrical releases as secondary or symbolic. According to Sarandos, box office performance would remain a priority.
“I’m giving you a hard number. If we’re going to be in the theatrical business, and we are, we’re competitive people — we want to win. I want to win opening weekend. I want to win box office,” he added.
Those remarks are particularly notable given Sarandos’ past comments that have been interpreted as dismissive of theaters. Most notably, Sarandos claimed the theatrical model was “outmoded” in the age of streaming.
Vecna confronts Will in Stranger Things 5 – Netflix
Addressing that perception directly, he claimed that his earlier remarks were taken out of context.
“You have to listen to that quote again. I said ‘outmoded for some.’” Sarandos explained. “I mean, like the town that Sinners is supposed to be set in does not have a movie theater there. For those folks, it’s certainly outmoded. You’re not going to get in the car and go to the next town to go see a movie. But my daughter lives in Manhattan. She could walk to six multiplexes, and she’s in the theaters twice a week. Not outmoded for her at all.”
The Warner Bros. Business Netflix Wants to Protect
Sarandos also acknowledged that Netflix’s historical absence from the theatrical business was not rooted in ideology, but in timing and market dominance.
“It’s a healthy, profitable business for them,” he said. “We weren’t in that business not because we hated it. We weren’t in that business because our business was doing so well.”
This framing positions Netflix less as a disruptor intent on dismantling legacy systems and more as a buyer seeking to preserve a proven revenue engine — at least in public messaging.
That messaging arrives at a critical moment. The Netflix Warner Bros. deal faces significant regulatory scrutiny due to market concentration concerns, as well as heightened political attention.
President Trump’s Objection and Sarandos’ Response
President Donald Trump recently shared an OAN article on Truth Social that criticized the Netflix–Warner Bros. deal and claimed that we needed to “stop the Netflix cultural takeover.”
U.S. President Donald Trump sits for an interview with ABC News – YouTube, ABC News
Sarandos said he was surprised by the public intervention and downplayed its significance.
“I don’t know why he would have done that,” Sarandos said. “No conversation we ever had was about any of the things that were in that article that he posted. I don’t want to overread it, either.”
While Sarandos avoided escalating the dispute, the President’s comments illustrate the political dimension now surrounding the transaction — particularly given concerns about domestic production jobs and consolidation within the media industry.
Donald Trump speaks at a rally the night before being inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States of America – YouTube, Washington Post
Sarandos contrasted Netflix’s approach with a hypothetical Paramount–Warner Bros. merger, arguing such a deal could lead to significant job losses. In contrast, he positioned Netflix as a stabilizing steward of the Warner Bros. brand.
“We’re going to be the buyer who keeps Warner Bros. running, releasing movies in theaters the way they always have,” Sarandos said.
What Comes Next for Netflix Warner Bros.
Despite Sarandos’ assurances, the future of the Netflix Warner Bros. deal remains uncertain. Regulatory approval is far from guaranteed, and political resistance may intensify as the implications of such a massive consolidation continue to draw scrutiny.
For now, Sarandos’ comments appear designed to reassure multiple audiences at once: theater owners fearful of shrinking windows, creatives wary of streaming-first mandates, regulators concerned about market dominance, and politicians focused on job preservation.
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav, Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison, and Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos – Photo Source: YouTube, New York Times Events; YouTube, Bloomberg Podcasts; YouTube, WSJ News
Whether those assurances translate into regulatory approval — or long-term trust — remains an open question. What is clear is that Netflix is now publicly committing to a version of Warner Bros. that looks far more traditional than many critics expected.
Do you think Netflix will ultimately own Warner Bros.? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
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Netflix is the worst thing to happen to not only Movies, but ALL Entertainment.
It not only ruined the Theaters by creating Woke Retărded Trash as “Netflix Originals”, which lead to trying to justify the Price Increase. It also made Companies like Xbox go for the failed Subscription Service of even Games.
Spending money on Movies that are Woke Shït loses money, and then forces Netflix and such to be more Predatory to the Consumer.
Like it or not, Theaters and Full Price Games are the only way to save Entertainment. You have to make money to take risks…….
It was always an unsustainable business model to begin with..
There is no such thing as eternal growth..
I doubt gamepass will survive though.
And yes, netflix will not only kill a lot of theaters if they get WB, but they will also kill physical media and thus have the control over what and where we watch our entertainment, it is immense power to have for a couple of companies..
Funny thing is, Disney has dreamed of this control for decades, ever since they introduced the pay per view DVD, which of course failed, and now NF is looking to succeed by aquisition and debt!
On that note, can anyone explain to me how Netflix can even afford to buy WB with that massive and increasing daily debt they lug around?
If NF gets the Warner catalogue they, Disney and Amazon will control every IP ever made, and Disney doesn’t license for boutique labels to release physical, neither does NF and my guess is Amazon will also stop doing physical in order to try and force subcriber increases..
It is a bleak future where “own nothing and be miserable” is a real possibility..
At least i won’t get impacted by it as much, as i don’t watch modern woke dei infested slop anyways, nor subscribe to any “service”.
I have a 3000+ title physical library i am using every single day as i don’t mind watching my favourites over and over again.
Unfortunately, i’m a dying breed..
Most young people don’t care about old movies and they watch the slop on their phones and they only consume, never collect..
Funny enough Netflix has NEVER made money in its existence.
It is over 14 BILLION is debt right now, and if they buy WB, then it will be close to 100 BILLION.
I see it as Bankruptcy Fraud where Netflix will claim Bankruptcy after the Share Holders get paid. Then they will be bought by Amazon most likely.
I Pirate EVERYTHING due to how bad TV and Film is now. I don’t see myself going back either since there is no reason NOT to Pirate.
I know right!
I have been unable to find out exactly how NF can afford this..
I like to own physical as i enjoy bonus material and commentary, as i am equally interested in the art of filmmaking as well as the films themselves..
Upside is also, no one can change, edit or censor what i own, i can always watch it if the internet goes out, or if a company loses rights to something i love..
But there is longer and longer between my purchases as my collection is completely upgraded to HD, and they no longer make the kinds of content i enjoy..
If nexflix is involved, that’s the death knell for my family. Aur revoir, brothers warner.
Never trust Ted Sucksmantoes.
For those who want legal back-ups of their media, which are DRM free, then there are torrents (aka bit torrents).
We are living in an Orwellian world, where only propaganda is made. it’s even worse, because at least, in 1984, Big Brother wasn’t churning out DEI / woke slop. (Increasingly made with AI).