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Sarandos Rebuts Cameron, Challenges Paramount as Warner Bros. Sale Deadline Nears

With a Feb. 23 cutoff for a rival bid, regulators will weigh Netflix’s 45‑day theatrical pledge.

Overview

  • Ted Sarandos rejected James Cameron’s warning to Senator Mike Lee, denying any plan for a 17‑day window and reiterating under oath a firm 45‑day exclusive theatrical run for Warner Bros. films.
  • Sarandos accused Cameron of amplifying a Paramount disinformation effort and said Netflix’s signed deal stands, urging Paramount to submit a clearly superior offer instead of airing claims about market share.
  • Mark Ruffalo publicly pressed Cameron to say whether he also opposes a potential Paramount acquisition, calling for consistent scrutiny from both Cameron and Senator Lee.
  • Warner Bros. Discovery reopened talks for seven days to allow a best‑and‑final bid from Paramount Skydance, with the window ending Feb. 23 and a shareholder vote on the Netflix deal set for March 20.
  • The Justice Department has opened an antitrust inquiry into the proposed transaction, as Sarandos expressed confidence he can address competition concerns and maintain theatrical support.