A takeover that has India's cinema owners on the edge

Acquisition of Warner by Netflix could disrupt supply of Hollywood films to theatres

- Lata Jha

The past week has seen theatre owners in India anticipate mixed results from the Netflix-Warner Bros Discovery deal.

(AFP)

Netflix’s audacious bid for Warner Bros Discovery has sent ripples through Hollywood, and landed squarely in Indian cinemas, where exhibitors see both a looming disruption and a surprising opportunity. Even as The Multiplex Association of India remains concerned about Netflix’s massive $82.7 billion acquisition bid for Warner Bros that could disrupt the studio's supply of Hollywood films to theatres, and might instead stream them directly online, the past week has seen theatre owners in India anticipate mixed results from the deal.

By the battle is about more than studio ownership: it could reset the balance between cinemas, streaming platforms and global distribution.

The deal includes Warner Bros’ film and television studios and steaming services like HBO Max. IPs include titles like Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, Friends and others.