Netflix still supports net neutrality, and has enlisted House of Cards in the fight

Netflix has enlisted Frank Underwood in the fight for net neutrality
(Image credit: Twitter/@HouseofCards)

Video-streaming powerhouse Netflix was one of the main corporate proponents of the Federal Communications Commission's recent move to enforce net neutrality. But on March 4, at an investor conference in New York, Netflix CFO David Wells said his company was "probably not" pleased the FCC had reclassified broadband internet as a Title II utility. "We were hoping there might be a non-regulated solution to it."

That prompted some gloating from net neutrality opponents. "Netflix Recants on Obamanet," wrote L. Gordon Crovitz at The Wall Street Journal. AT&T issued a statement from its top lobbyist, Jim Cicconi, saying it was "awfully hard to believe" that Wells would "go into a major investor conference and misspeak on an issue supposedly so crucial to their future." More likely, Cicconi said, "he had an attack of candor. At least 'til his company's lobbyists got hold of him."

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Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.