Netflix’s Ted Sarandos accuses James Cameron of spreading 1’misinformation’
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos is responding to criticism of the Warner Bros. streaming service’s acquisition. Discovery of ‘The Claman Countdown.’
Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos accused legendary director James Cameron of believing false information after Cameron criticized Netflix’s potential acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD).
“I am surprised and disappointed that James has chosen to be part of Paramount’s months-long disinformation campaign about this deal,” Sarandos said on “The Claman Countdown” on Friday.
Netflix announced its proposed acquisition of WBD, which includes HBO and HBO Max, in December. Days later, Paramount Skydance submitted a cash offer that countered all of it.
Recently, Netflix has received an outpouring of criticism from some members of the Hollywood elite and California leaders regarding its proposed purchase of studios.
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Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos and famous director James Cameron. (LEFT (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images), RIGHT (Araya Doheny/Getty Images for the SAG-AFTRA Foundation) / Getty Images)
Cameron expressed concern about the deal in a letter to Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights.
In the letter, the director of “Titanic” and “Avatar” said that the business model of Netflix is ”directly opposed” to the business of producing theatrical films.
“Theaters will be closed. Fewer films will be made. Service providers like VFX companies will go out of business. Job losses will increase,” reads part of the letter.
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Sarandos said she was “surprised” by Cameron’s criticism of Netflix’s proposed acquisition of WBD.
“I met with James in person in late December and told him of our 45-day commitment to the theatrical release of the films and the Warner Brothers slate,” the Netflix CEO said. “I’ve talked about that commitment to the press many times. I swore before the Senate subcommittee on dishonesty that that’s what we were doing.”
Paramount bids for Netflix to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery and its streaming service HBO Max. (Photos by AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC/Getty Images)
Cameron expressed concern that Netflix was promising a 17-day theatrical release window, but the company has repeatedly confirmed that it will be 45 days.
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“45 days of theatrical exclusivity — that was clear from the beginning,” Sarandos said. “I never even mentioned the word 17-day window.”
The Hollywood director also said that Netflix will reduce the number of WBD movies it releases in theaters each year, currently around 15, a claim that Sarandos disputes.
“We will keep the Warner Brothers film and television studio operating as much as it is today,” he told FOX Business. “Movies will go to theaters for 45 days, healthy, strong films every year. That will continue.”
Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos insisted that the streaming service will have better leadership from Warner Bros. Discovery, citing Paramount’s recent business difficulties. (Gabby Jones/Bloomberg via Getty Images/Getty Images)
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Sarandos also took aim at Paramount over a deal they disputed to buy WBD, saying it would cut $6 billion from WBD.
“The Paramount deal that’s floating around and all the lies they’ve found about it make sure we’re going to cut jobs,” he said. “They’re making sure they’re going to continue to make big cuts in the entertainment industry. Then again, we’re growing, growing, and they promise to cut, cut, cut.”
