Netflix was yesterday asked to limit streaming quality in order to preserve Internet bandwidth for all the people working from home during the coronavirus outbreak, and the company has now confirmed that it is doing so in Europe …
The request was made by the European Commission.
Netflix says it is now doing this.
Standard definition is essentially DVD quality. The biggest difference is likely to be noticed by those viewing closer-up on iPads and MacBooks.
Reuters reports that YouTube is following Netflix’s example.
YouTube is the second company after Netflix to act after EU industry chief Thierry Breton urged streaming platforms to cut the quality of their videos to prevent internet gridlock. Videos account for a substantial part of internet traffic data.
The move came after Breton spoke to Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai and YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki. It said so far it had only seen a few usage peaks but decided to act to minimise stress on the system.
There’s no word yet on whether any of them will do the same thing in the US or elsewhere.
