Is the era of theatrical moviegoing on life support? According to Netflix’s co-CEO Ted Sarandos, it’s not just declining, it’s outdated.
During an appearance at the TIME100 Summit, Sarandos responded to the long-running accusation that Netflix has been a major player in the downfall of Hollywood’s traditional systems.
His response? “No, we’re saving Hollywood.”
That bold claim came as he laid out Netflix’s philosophy in plain terms: “We’re a very consumer-focused company. We deliver the program to you in a way you want to watch it.”
I would have to say that’s not true because there are some Netflix movies that I would want to watch on the biog screen, but they don’t give me that option. So no, they don’t deliver entertainment in a way that I want to watch it.
But, as box office numbers continue to underwhelm and the theatrical window tightens, Sarandos turned the conversation back to viewers themselves. “What is the consumer trying to tell us?” he asked, before answering: “That they’d like to watch movies at home.”
Again, not me! I love the cinema experience! But, just because I do, others don’t. A trend of watching movies at home has been growing steadily since the pandemic,
Sarandos then shared his take on the core of moviegoing itself. While he shared that he still enjoys going to the theater, he didn’t hold back from this hot take: “I believe it is an outmoded idea, for most people — not for everybody.”
Those comments are sure to spark conversation not just for what they said about audiences, but for what they implied about the direction Netflix wants to push the industry. If the communal, big-screen experience is losing its shine for the average viewer, Netflix is more than ready to step into the spotlight.
Sarandos also took a moment to reflect on the broader entertainment industry’s global challenges. Speaking earlier at the Semafor World Economy Summit, he pointed out that unlike other sectors, entertainment often doesn’t get treated “like a real business.”
“That’s one of the examples of it,” he said, referencing regulatory hurdles like quotas and co-production mandates, particularly in markets like China.
So, is Netflix a disruptor or a savior? Sarandos is betting on the latter. And whether Hollywood agrees, or resists, is part of the story still unfolding.
Via: Deadline
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