Netflix CEO not opposed to AT&T's Time Warner deal, but warns against "unfair advantage"

CEO of television streaming service Netflix Reed Hastings has said that he does not disagree with the proposed acquisition of Time Warner by AT&T, despite claims from lawmakers and competitors that it would damage competition.

Hastings did acknowledge, however, that the deal should not be allowed to create an unfair advantage for the new company if it were to go ahead.

During the Wall Street Journal Live conference on Monday, Hastings was optimistic that the acquisition could provide healthy competition in the industry.

"We want to make sure it doesn't give an unfair advantage to HBO," Hastings said. "If it's open competition, we love that."

"I think AT&T's going to be aggressive about building a national competitor to all of the cable companies like DirectTV has been to the satellite companies — and if they pull that off that would be in the consumer's interest," he added.

Hastings was also asked whether Netflix itself would have any interest in purchasing Time Warner, and neither confirmed nor denied. He responded with a long pause before saying "next question. That was not a no."

AT&T agreed to buy Time Warner for $85bn at the weekend, but the merger will be subject to clearance from the United States.