Netflix has pledged a 45-day theatrical release window for Warner Bros. movies as part of its bid to acquire the studio, amid ongoing tensions with Paramount. This commitment came during a Senate Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee hearing, marking a shift from the streamer's earlier dismissal of theaters as outdated. However, industry leaders question the details and implications of this promise.
The dispute over Warner Bros. Studios intensified recently, with Netflix and Paramount exchanging sharp rhetoric about ownership. On February 3, 2026, representatives from Netflix and Warner Bros. appeared before the Senate Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee in Washington, D.C., to argue in favor of the proposed Netflix acquisition. Although Congress lacks direct approval power, its input can influence such mergers.
During the hearing, Netflix stated, “We will put Warner Bros. movies in theaters with 45-day windows.” This represents a notable change for the company, which just months prior had labeled movie theaters as “outdated.” Observers suggest the pledge aims to garner support for the deal and acknowledges that theatrical starts boost performance on streaming platforms.
Yet, significant uncertainties remain. Netflix has not specified the annual number of Warner Bros. films, how many would receive wide releases in 2,000 or more locations, or the volume of straight-to-streaming productions and their effect on theatrical resources. Promotion remains unaddressed: Will Netflix fund robust “Only in Theaters” marketing campaigns?
The true scope of the 45-day window is also unclear. It could mean films move straight from theaters to Netflix's subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) service, bypassing premium video-on-demand (PVOD). Exhibition experts warn that such a short path would harm the industry, contrasting with the current average SVOD window of 102 days for wide releases. Shorter windows have already pressured theaters.
Michael O’Leary, president and CEO of Cinema United—which represents over 31,000 screens in the U.S. and 30,000 more in 80 countries—emphasizes that these gaps in information are as telling as the promises made. He prefers Warner Bros. remain independent, benefiting theaters and film lovers, but urges clarity if a sale proceeds.
