Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos held private, constructive talks with the heads of AMC, Cinemark, and Regal. The meeting took place at the CinemaCon industry event in Las Vegas.
Discussions focused on increasing theatrical releases for Netflix original films and improving collaboration with exhibitors. The talks signal a potential thaw in the historically tense relationship between the streamer and cinema owners.
This pragmatic pivot moves away from short theatrical windows used primarily for awards qualification. Netflix aims to generate new revenue and cultural buzz to drive subscriber growth and retention. The companies announced no formal deal, but the high-level meeting suggests a significant evolution in distribution strategy.