Movie Exhibitors Adamantly Opposed to Netflix/Warners Buyout

 Viewed as their worst enemy, movie exhibitors are strongly opposed to Netflix's purchase of Warner Bros.

Many theatre operators are petitioning the Trump Administration to deny Netflix's bid to usurp Warner Bros., as they depend on the 12-14 films Warner Bros. releases annually, and they see this evaporating.

 Movie operators have valid issues regarding their opposition as the chart below illustrates.

"Hopefully the deal gets killed so Warners can be sold to a better entity," says Chris Randleman, CEO at Flix Brewhouse, a Texas upscale theatre chain. In their defense, Netflix execs stress they plan on releasing films theatrically, and there will be no change to the release window between exhibition and streaming. 

Before COVID, most films had an exclusive theatrical window of 90 days. Now, some films are available to buy or rent within a few weeks of distribution. Exhibitors fear Netflix will shorten the theatrical release window even further.

"Shorter windows would result in lower revenues for cinemas," states Eduardo Acuna, CEO of Regal Entertainment. "These lower revenues will result in cinema closings, which limit the consumer's ability to view movies the way filmmakers intended - on a big screen with great surround sound." 

By: Jim Lavorato