[pdonis]

> Comcast doesnt have a direct connection to netflix

They do now that a deal has been worked out:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2014/02/23...

[mixologic]

All of their customers will still have to go through middlemen. Thats how the internet functions.

[pdonis]

> All of their customers will still have to go through middlemen.

Not if they're watching Netflix. As I read the deal, Comcast and Netflix will be directly connected, so if you're a Comcast customer watching Netflix, your packets only traverse Comcast's and Netflix's networks; no third parties are involved.