Netflix Boss Sarandos Defends Warner Bros. Deal: “We’re Saving Hollywood”

The acquisition of HBO and blockbuster franchises like Harry Potter and Game of Thrones has ignited a fierce debate over the future of movie theaters. “What is the consumer trying to tell us? That they’d like to watch movies at home, thank you,” Sarandos argued

Sarandos defends Warner Bros. megadeal (Photo: Gettyimages)

The game-changing $82.7 billion deal that will see Netflix acquire Warner Bros., including its storied film studios and HBO, continues to dominate global entertainment headlines.

Warner Bros. controls some of the world’s biggest franchises, including Harry Potter and Game of Thrones along with the HBO Max streaming service, making the acquisition one of the most consequential media mergers in recent history.

Across Hollywood, reactions are sharply divided. Many industry insiders fear the deal could further disrupt theatrical culture, accelerating the shift away from cinemas and escalating the long-running battle over release windows.

Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos has dismissed claims that the company is “destroying Hollywood.” “No, we’re saving Hollywood,” he said, arguing that the industry is undergoing a necessary transition. Sarandos added that the long-held expectation of keeping films in theaters for two months is now “an outdated concept.”

Citing declining box office numbers, Sarandos said the data reveals a clear trend: viewers increasingly prefer streaming at home. “What is the consumer trying to tell us? That they’d like to watch movies at home, thank you,” he said. “Studios and theaters are duking it out to preserve a 45-day window that is completely out of step with the consumer experience of just loving a movie.”