Netflix, YouTube, and Amazon Prime Video say they will reduce their streaming quality in EU to reduce traffic on the network, as millions are confined at home

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Alphabet Inc's (GOOGL.O) YouTube said on Friday it will reduce its streaming quality in the European Union …

Reuters 2020-03-20 Foo Yun Chee

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@jimwaterson Jim Waterson on x
If you run a tech firm and you're not helping to ensure we can all continue use this site while broadband connections are strained, what are you doing? Amazon Prime Video will become the latest to slow down during a time of crisis, @marksweney reports. https://www.theguardian.com…
@ow @ow on x
People are Netflixing so much that Netflix has agreed to cut the quality of streams across Europe to reduce the load on networks https://www.bbc.com/...
@elad3 Elad on x
entire continents suddenly realize the impact of under-investment in home internet infrastructure https://twitter.com/...
@kylebrussell @kylebrussell on x
How long until “Enable HD” in Zoom becomes “Enable 360p” https://twitter.com/...
@eatlikeagirl Niamh Shields on x
Nooooooooooo - are they also going to reduce the charge?! @NetflixUK https://twitter.com/...
@tobyontv Toby Earle on x
*DVDs and Blu-rays wipe dust off their shoulders* BBC News - Netflix to cut streaming quality in Europe for 30 days https://www.bbc.co.uk/...
@adrianweckler Adrian Weckler on x
And just as Disney+ launches, too. Like I said, selfless *if* they're doing as reported. https://twitter.com/...
@gossithedog Kevin Beaumont on x
Netflix have reduced bitrate on their content by 25% in Europe. I'll check the bandwidth usage across ISPs tomorrow to see any potential impact. It's still well within acceptable parameters in U.K. however. https://www.bbc.co.uk/...
@loudmouthjulia Julia Alexander on x
New: Netflix will reduce bitrates for streams to help lessen its European network traffic by 25 percent for 30 days. Prior to this, Netflix worked with ISPs to bring servers everywhere it operates in order to ensure that broadband streams didn't sacrifice playability for quality.…
@padresj Fr. Robert R. Ballecer on x
Good call. The Internet over here has been creaking along, and I'm pretty sure it's all the millions of extra simultaneous streams happening throughout the day. https://www.reuters.com/...
@pwthornton Patrick Thornton on x
Your streaming videos are going to start looking worse. This might be the right call in the short term, but we need to use more than video conferencing for remote work. We also need better infrastructure. https://www.theverge.com/...
@adrianweckler Adrian Weckler on x
Pretty selfless by Netflix, if this means it's downgrading a HD stream on a regular budget 40 or 50-inch telly to a fuzzy standard definition stream (like on your old 21-inch sitting room telly). Will defo mean fewer watching Netflix. https://www.businessinsider.com/ ... via @bus…
@philsturgeon @philsturgeon on x
Grandparents had their food rationed. We're having our cooking shows rationed. https://www.bbc.co.uk/...
@kristianstout Kristian Stout on x
So, sometimes, prioritization is a good thing. amirite ? https://twitter.com/...
@mikeddano Mike Dano on x
WOW Netflix to cut European traffic by 25% due to coronavirus - Reuters https://www.reuters.com/... A stark admission that European networks cannot handle extra coronavirus-related traffic. I'm expecting a similar development in the US shortly.
@c_davies Chris Davies on x
Netflix will be lowering its streaming video bitrates in Europe after requests from the EU to help reduce the impact on internet infrastructure during #coronavirus self-isolation 📺 https://www.slashgear.com/...
@thierrybreton Thierry Breton on x
Important phone conversation with @ReedHastings, CEO of @Netflix To beat #COVID19, we #StayAtHome Teleworking & streaming help a lot but infrastructures might be in strain. To secure Internet access for all, let's #SwitchToStandard definition when HD is not necessary.
@politicoryan Ryan Heath on x
Oh! EU is talking to Netflix about how to unclog internet congestion is Coronavirus Europe. Homebound internet users might be stuck with standard definition version of the service going forward. More for POLITICO Europe subscribers here https://www.politico.eu/...
@nicolasmagand Nicolas Magand on x
And Disney+ coming in 4 days... 🛶 https://twitter.com/...
@darrenmcmahon54 Darren McMahon on x
Suddenly I'm regretting get rid of all my DVDs during my Marie Condo phase last year https://twitter.com/...
@tprstly Theo Priestley on x
I'll give you my Netflix when you pry it from my cold, dead hands. https://twitter.com/...
@annisch Anne Schulz on x
Facebook „was experiencing “surges” in the use of certain services, including a doubling in the use of calls over its WhatsApp and Messenger apps. Usage is “on a sustained basis” well beyond its annual spike at New Years', he said,..." https://giftarticle.ft.com/...
@nicfildes CyNic Fildes on x
Reupping story from last night; broadband networks coping but Europe, some telcos start eyeing a choke hold on Netflix et al to ease congestion. Mobile under strain https://www.ft.com/... via @financialtimes
@mattandersonnyt Matthew Anderson on x
Broadband networks across Europe are struggling with the extra traffic from working from home + streaming for entertainment. In Spain, providers are already asking customers to ration their usage. https://www.ft.com/...

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Netflix, YouTube, and Amazon Prime Video say they will reduce their streaming quality in EU to reduce traffic on the network, as millions are confined at home

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