Netflix's positive perception among Republicans has dropped in 2018, as the company signed a deal with the Obamas and added Susan Rice to its board
- A new survey from brand-perception research firm YouGov shows that Democratic approval of Netflix has risen since the beginning of the year while Republican approval has dropped.
- The survey shows a 21-point difference between the two perceptions as of May 31.
- Many Republicans have been outraged with Netflix recently after the streaming service named former UN Ambassador Susan Rice to its board and signed a producing deal with the Obamas.
Netflix has made choices this year that have angered and alienated some Republicans, and a new survey shows how much their approval of the streaming service has dropped since the beginning of 2018. Democratic approval of Netflix, meanwhile, has risen in the same time.
A survey from brand-perception research firm YouGov measured users' perception of Netflix based on their political affiliation on a scale of -100 to 100. The results show perception of Netflix by Republicans declining over the course of the year, as the service struck a deal with the Obamas and named Former UN Ambassador Susan Rice to its Board of Directors.
The survey found a 21-point difference between Democrats' and Republicans' perception of Netflix as of May 31, with Democrats at 62.81 and Republicans at 41.78. Democratic approval rose 15% since January 1, while Republican approval dropped 16%. YouGov provided its chart to Business Insider, which you can see below.
Netflix has drawn the ire of some Republicans in a few ways.
Netflix CEO Reed Hastings has strongly criticized President Trump in the past, and supported Hillary Clinton during the 2016 presidential campaign.
Netflix also drew criticism from conservatives earlier this year when former UN Ambassador Susan Rice joined its board of directors. Some users were outraged because of inaccurate statements Rice made in 2012 after the attack on the US consulate in Benghazi, Libya.
More recently, Netflix faced backlash after former President and First Lady Barack and Michelle Obama signed a deal with Netflix to produce original TV shows and movies. While Obama associates said that it's unlikely for the content to be overtly partisan, many users still threatened to cancel their subscriptions over the news.