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Does Anyone Believe Ted Sarandos on Theaters?

As the streamer’s winning bid to secure WBD faces regulatory scrutiny and a hostile offer from Paramount, Ted Sarandos insists that Netflix is committed to a standard theatrical window for Warner Bros. movies. Is it enough to earn Hollywood’s loyalty?

Ted Sarandos
Even if Ted were to burn a copy of Netflix’s infamous culture memo at the intersection of Hollywood and Vine, he’d have a hard time winning the film community’s trust. Photo: Jemal Countess/Getty Images for TIME
Kim Masters
December 17, 2025

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Almost two weeks after Netflix submitted the winning bid (for now) in the Warner Bros. Discovery sweepstakes, it seems that co-C.E.O. Ted Sarandos has finally gotten the memo that he needs to address the panic that’s been roiling Hollywood ever since. Here he was on an investor call on December 5, the morning of the announcement: “Everything that is planned on going to the theater through Warner Bros. will continue to go to the theaters through Warner Bros.” But alas, he didn’t stop there: “I think, over time, the windows will evolve to be much more consumer friendly, to be able to meet the audience where they are quicker.” Oh well.