Ted Sarandos, the co-CEO and chief content officer of Netflix, has responded to Donald Trump’s social media demand for Netflix to fire board member Susan Rice. Trump had taken to social media to call for Rice’s removal from the board, citing her as “racist” and “Trump deranged.” However, Sarandos dismissed Trump’s demand, stating that the bid for Warner Bros. Discovery is a business matter and not a political one.
In an interview with BBC Radio 4’s “Today” program, Sarandos emphasized that the deal for Warner Bros. Discovery is being overseen by regulatory bodies and is not influenced by political agendas. He highlighted that the Department of Justice in the U.S. and regulators worldwide are involved in the process.
The controversy arose after Trump reshared a post by MAGA influencer Laura Loomer, urging him to intervene in the Netflix-Warner deal. Rice, a former Obama administration diplomat, currently serves on the Netflix board.
Sarandos’ comments came amidst the ongoing battle for Warner Bros. Discovery. Netflix had made an $83 billion bid for the company’s streaming assets, while Paramount launched a hostile rival bid for the entire company at $108 billion. The Warner Bros. Discovery board has expressed a preference for the Netflix offer but gave Paramount an opportunity to submit a final bid.
Sarandos defended the Netflix deal, emphasizing its focus on growth and investment in original programming. He criticized the Paramount approach as potentially harmful to consumers and creators, warning of job cuts and industry consolidation under their ownership.
Regarding concerns raised by filmmaker James Cameron about the impact of a Netflix acquisition on the theatrical motion picture business, Sarandos dismissed the claims as “disingenuous.” He highlighted Netflix’s commitment to theatrical exclusivity for films and emphasized the platform’s role in expanding audience access to movies.
Sarandos also addressed criticisms of Netflix’s impact on British television, noting the streamer’s significant investment in UK productions. He expressed skepticism about proposals for major streamers to contribute to a cultural fund, arguing that incentives are more effective than obligations in supporting the industry.
In a rapidly evolving entertainment landscape, Sarandos identified YouTube as a major competitor and discussed the rise of podcasts as a new form of chat show. He emphasized the importance of diversification in the entertainment industry and the need to adapt to changing consumer preferences.
Overall, Sarandos’ interview highlighted Netflix’s commitment to growth, investment in original content, and the importance of competition and innovation in the entertainment sector. The full interview can be heard on BBC Radio 4’s “Today” program.
