Jan 16, 2026
3 min read
Ted Sarandos told The New York Times that Netflix would commit to a 45-day theatrical release window for films after acquiring The WB.
After the streamer bought Warner Bros., Ted Sarandos really perfected the theatrical window, telling The New York Times, "We run this business primarily with 45-day windows."
This was the first time in his recent media tour that he addressed the news that he was against the film and kept the number in a long window.His words about the film since it was the first to play on Netflix (this was WB's talk before; following the $19M No. 1 success of KPop Demon Hunters ) is finally turning into a public statement that it's about traditional windows;Each of those WB titles will continue to honor the fourth set of contracts Netflix inherited.
"If this deal goes through, it will crash the theatrical distribution engine and generate billions of dollars in theatrical revenue, and we don't want to jeopardize that," Sarandos told The New York Times today.
I wait
Yesterday, Sony extended its Pay-1 deal with Netflix until 2032, the industry's first global deal worth about $7 billion per source.This deal alone suggests that Netflix is fully aware of the value of theaters.When Sony movies debuting in theaters hit the OTT service, such titles are among Netflix's most-watched movies.
When asked what she thought the movie industry was a "bad idea," Sarandos stepped back from the Q&A and said, "You have to hear that again. I said 'bad for some.'
Sarandos explained how she feels about theater, admitting that the theater business, especially for Warners, "is more positive than what we've done with modeling. It's a healthy, profitable business for them. It's not because we hate the business. We're not in this business because our business is doing well."Asked how people will stay home after Covid instead of going to the movies, Sarandos said: "I think we have to embrace the idea that when people are excited to go out and see something, they will go."
Asked if she had seen President Donald Trump's Truth Social post on Sunday in which she argued that the Netflix deal was terrible and Paramount's offer was better, Sarandos said: "I don't know why he would do that. We never talked about what was in that article that he published. I don't want to read too much into it."
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Netflix Co-CEO Confirms Trump Wants to Protect American Manufacturing IndustriesSarandos insisted that the Paramount-Warner Bros merger would save manufacturing jobs "between the $3 billion they've already cut and the $6 billion they want, and that's real jobs."
In short, Sarandos said, "We will be the customer that keeps Warner Bros. running, releasing movies in theaters the way they always do."
Ted's comments are welcome news.He's very smart because he realizes that theater is still an important part of the film industry.
45 days is nothing!
The window used to be one year for home video and two years for cable.
And they all make a lot of money.
People actually WANT to go to the movies, but feel like idiots for paying a lot of $$ to see a movie that's on TV in a week.
The acquisition was completed and Netflix's proposal review earlier this week was the first step in preparing to pay the breakup fee.
For how long?You really can't trust this guy with his dates.Remember when his date with Barbie was so big right on Netflix?
If that’s an honest statement, that gives Netflix top movies a 45-day window as well.(Like Frankenstein, even jokes like the upcoming Covino.)
Very little Netflix content requires a 45-day release window. They create very low-budget dramas that generate enough revenue to do the math.Some places have a strong enough theatrical window - like the Irish.I can barely remember the length of a Netflix feature that could rival a blockbuster like Mission Impossible.
Jobs, the waits are planted...
Frankenstein has just announced its re-release.It doesn't stop playing in NYC when it drops on Netflix.
