Reed Hastings Comments on Netflix Theatrical Movies
The Hollywood Reporter • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Netflix has traditionally focused on streaming and limited theatrical releases mainly for awards eligibility, avoiding large-scale theatrical marketing and long exclusive windows.
- Following its planned acquisition of Warner Bros., Netflix co-CEOs Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters announced a strategic shift to fully embrace theatrical distribution, including 45-day exclusive windows and a competitive approach to box office success.
- Sarandos emphasized Netflix's intent to maintain Warner Bros.' existing theatrical model to capitalize on billions in theatrical revenue, marking a departure from his previous skepticism about long exclusive windows.
- Netflix founder Reed Hastings previously viewed theatrical releases as outside Netflix’s core subscription model, favoring content addition within streaming rather than theatrical expansion, though he has approved the Warner Bros. deal and shown flexibility in
