Netflix has experienced a significant increase in cancellations following the endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris for president by co-founder Reed Hastings. The streaming service saw its highest rate of user cancellations in 2024 during the month of July, with a cancellation rate of 2.8 percent. This surge in cancellations coincided with Netflix discontinuing its basic tier, the most affordable ad-free plan priced at $11.99 per month, on July 13.
Just ten days later, the platform witnessed a five-day period of increased user boycotts after Hastings publicly supported Harris. In a tweet on July 23, Hastings congratulated Harris and expressed his support, which was followed by a revelation that he had donated $7 million to The Republican Accountability PAC, a super-political action committee known for its opposition to former President Donald Trump.
The backlash from supporters of the MAGA movement was palpable, with many taking to social media to announce their cancelled subscriptions to Netflix. This outcry led to Netflix recording its highest number of cancellations in a single day for the year on July 26. It remains uncertain whether Hastings’s endorsement had a lasting impact on the streaming service beyond this peak in cancellations.
While Hastings has a history of donating to Democratic causes, including supporting President Joe Biden’s campaign in 2020, his vocal endorsement of Harris marked a shift towards more explicit political engagement. Hastings had previously called for Biden to withdraw from the Democratic ticket in a public interview in June and shared articles questioning Biden’s candidacy on social media.
Netflix’s political leanings have also come under scrutiny, with high-profile employees like co-CEO Ted Sarandos having ties to the Democratic party. Data from the Center for Responsive Politics revealed that a significant majority of political contributions from Netflix employees went to Democrats in the 2020 election cycle.
The controversy surrounding Hastings’s endorsement of Harris and the subsequent backlash from conservative viewers highlights the intersection of politics and entertainment at Netflix. As the streaming service navigates the aftermath of this incident, questions remain about the long-term implications for its user base and corporate image.
For comments or further clarification on this issue, enquiries have been made to Reed Hastings and Netflix representatives. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.