There’s been lots of chatter concerning a post President Trump made on his media platform, Truth Social, on Jan. 11, amplifying an article published on OAN titled “Stop the Netflix Cultural Takeover.”
The piece by John Pierce described Netflix’s attempt at a “woke media monopoly” through its purchase of Warner Bros., and argued that Paramount owner David Ellison’s offer was the far better option.
Today, in an interview with The New York Times, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos admitted bewilderment over Trump’s sharing of the OAN article.
“I don’t know why he would have done that,” Sarandos told the NYT. “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.”
If anything, Sarandos still seems very confident that the Netflix–Warner Bros. deal will be sealed and prevail, despite upcoming DOJ investigations and Paramount CEO David Ellison’s multiple attempts to derail it.
“What people would like to see is no deal,” Sarandos told the paper. “But that’s not possible. There are two outcomes of this deal, and we have a signed deal done.”
Another major question surrounding the deal revolved around what Netflix’s commitment to theatrical releases would look like if it were to acquire Warner Bros. In the past few weeks, major movie theater chains have appealed to Congress to stop any Netflix deal for Warner Bros. It doesn’t help that some trade sources have indicated the streamer plans to give Warner Bros. films only a 17-day theatrical run.
Yet Sarandos claims that the plan is to keep a “45-day theatrical window” in place, and that’s despite publicly, and infamously, saying in 2023 that the theatrical experience was “an outmoded idea.” Sarandos gets asked about that quote, and tries to backtrack:
You have to listen to that quote again. I said “outmoded for some.” 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.
Sarandos goes on to say that once the deal closes, Netflix will own a hugely successful theatrical distribution business generating billions, and they don’t intend to jeopardize it. The company will keep operating much as it does now, including, as mentioned, a firm 45-day theatrical window. He’s committed to being in theaters and focused on competing aggressively.
I want to win opening weekend. I want to win the box-office.
Meanwhile, Sarandos’ rival David Ellison has been persistent. He recently traveled to Europe, meeting with politicians in an attempt to derail Netflix’s acquisition of Warner Bros., trying to convince legislators to block the deal from ever being approved by the EU. His meetings reportedly included French President Emmanuel Macron, as well as German and British politicians.
Alongside Blanchett, the film features a wildly eclectic ensemble including Dave Bautista, Lily-Rose Depp, Riley Keough, Léa Seydoux, Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Chris Pine