The Multiplex Association of India (MAI) on Saturday expressed serious concerns over Netflix&rsquo;s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. 
Discovery, warning that the move could adversely impact India&rsquo;s theatrical ecosystem by reducing content availability and limiting consumer choice.
Netflix on Friday announced an agreement to acquire Warner Bros. 
Discovery&rsquo;s studio and streaming operations in a cash-and-stock deal valued at USD 72 billion.&nbsp;
The transaction includes Warner Bros.&rsquo; television and motion picture divisions, HBO Max streaming services, and DC Studios, and is expected to be completed once Discovery Global is separated into a new publicly traded company in the third quarter of 2026.
In a statement, MAI said the acquisition of one of the world&rsquo;s largest film studios by a streaming platform that has &ldquo;historically deprioritised theatrical releases&rdquo; poses a direct economic threat to India&rsquo;s film industry. 
The association noted that Warner Bros. has long been a consistent content partner for Indian cinemas.
MAI President Kamal Gianchandani said India&rsquo;s cinema market relies on diversity and scale. 
However, &ldquo;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. If this acquisition proceeds, the risk is two-fold: a meaningful reduction in high-quality content for cinemas and the potential for shortened or non-existent theatrical windows,&rdquo; he said.
Gianchandani added that such consolidation &ldquo;would inevitably impact revenues, limit consumer choice, and weaken the broader ecosystem of film production, distribution, and exhibition in India.&rdquo; 
He stressed that &ldquo;a consolidation of this magnitude warrants careful scrutiny.&rdquo;
MAI said it will continue raising its concerns with regulatory authorities in India and abroad. 
The association highlighted that cinemas serve as cultural centres and contribute significantly to the economy, supporting millions of livelihoods across production, distribution, exhibition, food and beverage, and other ancillary sectors.
Established in 2002 under the aegis of FICCI, MAI represents more than 11 cinema chains operating over 550 multiplexes and around 3,000 screens across India.

Cinema association voices concern over major acquisition

MAI warns Netflix–Warner Bros merger could cut cinema content and hurt India’s film sector

Warner Bros–Netflix Deal Worries MAI

MAI warns Netflix–Warner Bros merger could cut cinema content and hurt India’s film sector

December 7, 2025 | 15:41 IST