Netflix Boss: Theatrical Experience An ‘Outmoded Idea’

Netflix’s co-CEO Ted Sarandos has long been a vocal critic of traditional cinema regarding how it relates to his company’s business.

Back in April 2023, as the box-office was coming back to life post-pandemic, Sarandos effectively doubled down on Netflix’s straight-to-streaming film release strategy which bypasses theatrical entirely outside of awards qualifying runs.

During a quarterly earnings broadcast at the time, he said (via Screen) that: “Driving folks to a theatre is just not our business; we create that demand and we collect that demand on our subscription service with our members.”

Appearing at the TIME100 Summit this week, he describes the streaming giant as: “A very consumer-focused company. We deliver the program to you in a way you want to watch it.”

It’s then he got into the theatrical experience and was asked about declining overall box office, responding to that he says it is just an indicator of what consumers want: “What is the consumer trying to tell us? That they’d like to watch movies at home.”

While he personally loves theaters, he says much of the audience has moved on from the ‘theatrical experience’, saying: “I believe it is an outmoded idea, for most people, not for everybody.” Asked if Netflix has destroyed Hollywood, he responded: “No, we’re saving Hollywood.”

Source: Deadline

The post Netflix Boss: Theatrical Experience An ‘Outmoded Idea’ appeared first on Dark Horizons.