Netflix pledges to remain ad-free even as U.S. subscriptions slip

Netflix did its best Wednesday to quash speculation that it will start running advertising, even as subscriber growth cools.The streaming video giant reported revenue of $4.9 billion in the second-quarter, which was up 26 percent year-over-year. As it reported earnings, the company also tackled nagging rumors that it would look to bolster revenue in the future with an ad business.“We, like HBO, are advertising free,” the company said in a letter to shareholders. “That rema