Ted Sarandos isn’t here for the narrative that Netflix is killing the film industry. In fact, he’s flipping the script, literally. During the TIME100 summit, the Netflix boss boldly claimed Netflix is saving Hollywood. That’s right, he shut down the idea that streaming is ruining the magic of cinema and instead said it’s what’s keeping the industry alive. According to Ted, Netflix is way more in touch with what audiences actually want than traditional studios are.
“We’re a very consumer-focused company,” he said. “We deliver the program to you in a way you want to watch it.” Basically, Ted thinks the big-screen experience might be a little overrated in today’s world. Sure, watching a movie in a packed theatre used to be the dream, but that was then. Now, people want comfort, and a pause button. He explained that the theatrical model feels outdated for most people and that clinging to it might be what’s dragging Hollywood down, not streaming.
Sarandos pointed out how much the landscape has changed, noting that not everyone lives in a city where a fancy theatre is just a walk away. For the rest of the world, streaming is the more practical, accessible option. And in his words, that shift is something the entire industry, from directors to producers, is having to accept, whether they like it or not.
He even gave a little reality check to those who still think the old-school model is the only way to go. “If you’re fortunate enough to live in Manhattan and walk to a multiplex, that’s fantastic. Most of the country cannot,” he said. So yeah, Netflix is meeting people where they’re at, literally.
Interestingly, George Clooney also chimed in on this topic recently, calling it a full-blown “revolution.” While promoting his film Wolfs with Brad Pitt, Clooney admitted that streaming is essential to the business. But he also believes there’s still value in having movies hit theatres, which is why they pushed to get Wolfs released traditionally too. It’s a balancing act, he says, and the industry is still figuring it out.
But whether it’s a revolution or just evolution, Ted Sarandos is standing firm, Netflix is saving Hollywood, not killing it.
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