Netflix, if successful with its proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, has offered a compromise on the fate of theaters: 45-day windows for WBD movies. This proposal aims to address concerns raised by theater owners and movie enthusiasts alike about the impending sale.
According to Ted Sarandos, co-chief executive of Netflix, the company plans to operate its theatrical business in accordance with current practices, albeit with a slightly modified timeframe. By extending the exclusive run from 17 days to 45 days, Sarandos is attempting to alleviate concerns about a hasty demise for cinemas. He emphasized the importance of competitive success and winning at the box office.
This concession comes as Paramount Skydance has refused to back down on its rival bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, further exacerbating tensions in the Hollywood landscape. The proposed Netflix deal has been met with resistance from several theater chains, which have expressed concerns about the sale's impact on their businesses.
Sarandos also responded to criticism of his earlier comment that the theatrical business is an "outmoded" idea. He clarified that this term applies more broadly, acknowledging that it may not be applicable in urban areas where multiple theaters are available, such as Manhattan. By refining his statement, Sarandos appears to be attempting to appease theater owners and audiences alike.
The Netflix acquisition, if approved, would further consolidate control over the film industry's production and distribution channels in the hands of a single dominant player. This has raised concerns among trade organizations and lawmakers about the concentration of power in an already highly concentrated market.
According to Ted Sarandos, co-chief executive of Netflix, the company plans to operate its theatrical business in accordance with current practices, albeit with a slightly modified timeframe. By extending the exclusive run from 17 days to 45 days, Sarandos is attempting to alleviate concerns about a hasty demise for cinemas. He emphasized the importance of competitive success and winning at the box office.
This concession comes as Paramount Skydance has refused to back down on its rival bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, further exacerbating tensions in the Hollywood landscape. The proposed Netflix deal has been met with resistance from several theater chains, which have expressed concerns about the sale's impact on their businesses.
Sarandos also responded to criticism of his earlier comment that the theatrical business is an "outmoded" idea. He clarified that this term applies more broadly, acknowledging that it may not be applicable in urban areas where multiple theaters are available, such as Manhattan. By refining his statement, Sarandos appears to be attempting to appease theater owners and audiences alike.
The Netflix acquisition, if approved, would further consolidate control over the film industry's production and distribution channels in the hands of a single dominant player. This has raised concerns among trade organizations and lawmakers about the concentration of power in an already highly concentrated market.
but seriously though has anyone else noticed how concentrated power already is in the film industry? it's wild how much control wbd and now netflix have over production and distribution channels... i'm all for competition, but what happens when one player has too much say? 
anyway, 45-day windows might be a good start, but can they really make theaters thrive again? 
. I'm just worried that if Netflix gets its way, we'll see even less independent films and more mainstream stuff 
anyway, this 45-day window thing sounds like a good idea imo 
maybe it'll help cinemas stay afloat for longer? but at the same time, it feels like they're just throwing money around to appease theater owners... have we really lost sight of what's important here? 
I mean, 17 days used to be considered a lot for movie theaters to deal with, but now it's like, we're getting squeezed out by streaming giants and their deep pockets 
. But come on, 45 days? That's still pretty tight for theaters to make a buck 
? It feels like we're in some kind of crazy Hollywood game of musical chairs 
. Anyway, I guess only time will tell if Netflix can really make this work for us cinemas 
The movie theater industry is literally becoming a chess game between these massive players and it's getting intense 
. On one hand, I get why Netflix wants to extend those 45-day windows - it makes total sense from their business perspective: reduce competition and maximize profits 
anyway, i was thinkin' that theaters are like, super important for us to watch movies on big screens, you know? but i guess with all these streaming services comin' out, they wanna make sure we still go to the cinema... or maybe not 
Like seriously though, it does seem a bit extreme that they're trying to give themselves such an extended window. And then there's the fact that Paramount Skydance is still in the mix and stuff... it's just getting messy in Hollywood 
. I mean, I'm all for Netflix doing what's best for their business, but at what cost? Is this really what we want in our entertainment industry? Consolidation of power, yikes 
maybe we'll see more indie films on netflix too which would be sick 
. Can't Netflix just make up their own minds instead of constantly changing plans? 
. It's like he's trying to say something, but then changes his mind again 
.