Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos expressed surprise and disappointment over James Cameron's criticism of a potential Netflix acquisition of Warner Bros. assets. Sarandos accused Cameron of participating in a Paramount disinformation campaign regarding theatrical release commitments. The remarks come amid ongoing bidding wars and regulatory scrutiny.
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos voiced his frustration with director James Cameron during an interview on Fox Business' The Claman Countdown on February 20, 2026. Sarandos reacted to a February 10 letter Cameron sent to Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), in which the Avatar director expressed concerns that a Netflix purchase of Warner Bros. key assets would be "disastrous for the theatrical motion picture business." Cameron suggested Netflix might renege on a pledge for 45-day theatrical windows and referenced a "ridiculously short" 17-day window.
Sarandos, who met personally with Cameron in late December 2025, stated he had outlined Netflix's 45-day commitment to theatrical exhibition for Warner Bros. films. "I have talked about that commitment in the press countless times. I swore under oath in front of the Senate Subcommittee on Antitrust that that’s what we would be doing," Sarandos said. He denied ever mentioning a 17-day window, adding, "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."
The comments occur against the backdrop of a proposed $83 billion deal announced over two months prior, in which Netflix aims to acquire Warner Bros. studios, TV assets, and HBO Max from Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD). Paramount, recently acquired by Skydance in August 2025, has launched a $108 billion hostile takeover bid for WBD. WBD's board agreed to negotiate with Paramount for seven days starting around February 20, while shareholders are set to vote on the Netflix proposal on March 20, 2026.
Regulatory hurdles persist, with the Department of Justice (DOJ) reviewing both deals. Paramount announced it cleared a 10-day waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Act after responding to DOJ requests. Sen. Lee, chair of the Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competitive Policy, and Consumer Rights, issued follow-up questions to Sarandos and WBD exec Bruce Campbell, focusing on competition, Netflix's promised $20 billion investment in film and TV production for 2026, and YouTube pricing pressures. Netflix plans to respond by the following week.
Sarandos has emphasized Netflix's financial stability for the all-cash deal, contrasting it with Paramount's plans for $6 billion in cost savings, which he estimates could reach $16 billion and lead to job losses.