Mistake or marketing?

Series three of House of Cards is set to go live at the end of February, and, given the response to the first two seasons of the show, there’s plenty of excitement about it. So there was plenty of surprise when ten episodes of the new season went up online early today. Some wondered whether this was a marketing ploy and if Netflix has ‘pulled a Beyonce’. But Netflix says it was a technical error. Judging by the House of Cards Twitter handle, however, maybe it wasn’t quite so accidental. 

This is Washington. There’s always a leak. All 13 episodes will launch February 27.

— House of Cards (@HouseofCards) February 11, 2015

Showrunner and writer Beau Willimon got in on the act and said:

Well folks, when Frank Underwood wants to tease…he doesn’t fuck around. @HouseofCards @netflix pic.twitter.com/L97jujrWOa

— Beau Willimon (@BeauWillimon) February 11, 2015

And here’s the season promo.