NEW DELHI: The Multiplex Association of India (MAI) on Sunday raised strong objections to the proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery by global streaming major Netflix, warning that the deal could significantly hurt India’s theatrical ecosystem.
India’s cinema business relies on a steady pipeline of international and local releases to draw audiences, MAI said, adding that the acquisition of a major Hollywood studio by a dominant streaming platform — which has “historically deprioritised” theatrical releases — threatens both competition and the broader film economy.
“The Indian theatrical market thrives on choice, scale and cultural diversity. Warner Bros. has been a key partner to Indian cinemas, contributing consistently to our release calendar with global and local titles,” MAI President Kamal Gianchandani said.
He argued that cinemas in India function as economic engines and cultural hubs, supporting millions of livelihoods across production, distribution, exhibition and related services.
“Netflix has consistently made it clear through its limited and highly restrictive approach to theatrical releases that it does not believe in the cinema-first model,” Gianchandani said. If the acquisition goes ahead, he warned of a “meaningful reduction in high-quality content” for cinemas, along with shortened or even eliminated theatrical windows.
Leave a Reply