Netflix’s Bela Bajaria on Theatres Versus Streaming: 'Not Opposition, But Complementary'

When Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos described the theatrical model as “outdated” earlier this year, it fuelled a debate on whether theatres and streaming platforms are locked in opposition. But Netflix’s Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria isn’t buying that narrative.

“I don’t think it’s an opposition at all because people love going to theatres. I like going to theatres,” Bajaria said in an exclusive conversation with The Hollywood Reporter India. “It’s always going to be about the consumer first and where they want to watch it.”

Bajaria argued that the perception of conflict between the two models is largely manufactured. “That might be, I’d say as nicely as I can, probably like a journalistic narrative thing—that people think that’s a better story. People like to position a story as opposition, because that’s probably more interesting. But it’s actually not that.”

For Bajaria, the focus remains on expanding the universe of films available to audiences, whether through Netflix originals, theatrical acquisitions, or co-productions. “We make and invest in a lot of original movies on Netflix around the world that are only on Netflix. They’re great movies only on Netflix because people want that. They have a big appetite for movies and we want them to have that.”

At the same time, Netflix continues to buy films from studios in India and beyond under the “pay-one” model. “We have pay-one movies and all of these amazing movies that are in theatres in India and then come on Netflix. And that’s great for our consumers, and it’s great for those producers and all the talent that’s involved in those studios. It helps actually invest more into the film community.”

To Bajaria, coexistence is not just possible but beneficial. “It’s completely complimentary. More movies are getting made, more filmmakers are getting opportunities, more risks are being taken. For me, across the board—below the line, above the line, in front of and behind the camera—more stories are being told. That’s great for everybody. We all want the same thing: to make great stories and great films that audiences love.”