Ted Sarandos has pushed back against criticism from James Cameron over Netflix’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The executive addressed Cameron’s recent letter to lawmakers, arguing that the director’s claims misrepresent the Netflix’s plans.
Ted Sarandos says James Cameron is ‘part of Paramount disinformation campaign’
Ted Sarandos has publicly responded to criticism from James Cameron regarding Netflix and its proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. He accused the director of repeating claims linked to Paramount Global.
Speaking on Fox Business Network‘s The Claman Countdown, Sarandos addressed Cameron’s recent letter to Mike Lee, in which the filmmaker warned that the deal could harm theatrical releases and negatively affect jobs related to the film industry. Cameron argued, “The business model of Netflix is directly at odds with the theatrical film production and exhibition business, which employs hundreds of thousands of Americans.”
Sarandos rejected those claims and questioned the information behind them. He said, “I’m particularly surprised and disappointed that James chose to be part of the Paramount disinformation campaign that’s been going on for months about this deal.” Netflix Co-CEO disputed several of those claims, particularly the suggestion that the streamer plans to shorten theatrical runs.
Responding to reports that he intended to use a 17-day release window, he said, “I have never even uttered the words ’17-day window.’ So I don’t know where it came from or why he would be part of that machine.” Sarandos reiterated that Warner Bros. films would continue to play in theaters for 45 days before moving to streaming.
He said, “Movies go into the theaters for 45 days, a healthy, robust slate of films every year, that is going to continue. This deal is contingent on that for us to — for it to work.” Sarandos also sent a letter to Lee addressing Cameron’s concerns directly. In it, he wrote that the filmmaker “knowingly misrepresents our position and commitment to the theatrical release of Warner Bros. films.”
Originally reported by Disheeta Maheshwari on ComingSoon.
