Sarandos pledges 45-day theatrical window for Warner Bros. films

Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said the company will keep future Warner Bros. films in theaters for at least 45 days after the proposed acquisition closes, Businessinsider reported.

Sarandos framed the commitment as part of running Warner Bros.ʼ theatrical business “largely like it is today,” saying, “we will run that business largely like it is today, with 45-day windows. I'm giving you a hard number.” The comment marks a shift from Netflix's long-standing push to make first-run movies available primarily for at-home viewing, though the company has occasionally put high-profile films into theaters first, such as Martin Scorsese's The Irishman and the planned IMAX runs for Greta Gerwig's Narnia before they arrive on Netflix.

Sarandos has also said Netflix's primary goal is to bring first-run movies to its members and hopes windows will evolve to be more consumer-friendly, a stance some interpret as favoring shorter theatrical runs. Paramount, a rival suitor for Warner Bros. Discovery, has emphasised preserving “healthy traditional windows,” and whether Sarandos's 45-day pledge will satisfy Hollywood remains an open question.

Key Topics

Business, Ted Sarandos, Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount, Theatrical Window