Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos Says 'We're Saving Hollywood'

I love going to the movie theater. Especially in summer, there were times when I would watch two or three in one day. To lose that experience would take away from blockbuster films.

In a bold reaffirmation of Netflix’s content strategy, co-CEO Ted Sarandos declared that the traditional theatrical experience is increasingly irrelevant for modern audiences. Speaking at the 2025 TIME100 Summit, Sarandos emphasized the company's unwavering focus on consumer preferences, stating: “We deliver the program to you in a way you want to watch it.”

Sarandos, known for challenging Hollywood norms, pointed to the continued decline in box office numbers as a clear sign of shifting viewer habits: “What is the consumer trying to tell us? That they’d like to watch movies at home.”

This stance isn’t new. During a 2023 earnings call, Sarandos defended Netflix’s direct-to-streaming model, stressing that “driving folks to a theatre is just not our business.” While he acknowledged a personal appreciation for cinemas, he asserted that for most people, “the theatrical experience is an outmoded idea.”

When asked if Netflix had a hand in “destroying Hollywood,” Sarandos responded unapologetically: “No, we’re saving Hollywood.”

As streaming continues to reshape the entertainment landscape, Netflix appears more committed than ever to redefining how audiences consume films — not in the dark of a theater, but from the comfort of home.

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Source: Dark Horizons

Photo Credit: AI