Netflix‘s plans for movies after its projected acquisition of Warner Bros. still remains up in the air, but a new report suggests that the streamer has plans for some very small theatrical windows.
What are Netflix’s reported plans for WB movies’ theatrical windows?
In a new report from Deadline on the theatrical return for the Stranger Things finale, it’s noted that those in Hollywood remain wary of Netflix’s plans for WB movies once they acquire the company. Deadline notes that, although Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos has said nothing will change, sources note that Netflix have been “proponents of a 17-day” theatrical window for films.
The move, should it come to fruition, is one that Deadline notes would “steamroll the theatrical business,” with the report mentioning that companies like AMC believe a 45-day window is a line that cannot be crossed. While no confirmation of any theatrical window exists, Deadline has reported multiple times through December that Sarandos is a big fan of the 17-day window structure.
Although rumors suggest Netflix will be shrinking the theatrical windows for films if and when it acquires WB, Sarandos himself has said otherwise. Following backlash on the idea of a shorter window and concerns about Netflix’s proposed acquisition of WB, Sarandos has said that it’ll be business as usual when it comes to how WB works.
“There’s been a lot of talk about theatrical distribution, so we want to set the record straight: we are 100% committed to releasing Warner Bros. films in theaters with industry-standard windows,” said Sarandos when Netflix announced the acquisition.
(Source: Deadline)
