Netflix said on Thursday it would reduce its bit rates across all its streams in Europe, in effect cutting traffic on its European networks by 25 per cent, to preserve the smooth functioning of the internet during the coronavirus crisis. The move came after talks between EU industry chief Thierry Breton and Netflix chief executive Reed Hastings. Mr Breton had a day earlier urged the video streaming service to downgrade the quality of its video to avoid internet gridlock. “Netflix has decided to begin reducing bit rates across all our streams in Europe,” the Silicon Valley-based company said in a statement on Thursday. “I welcome the very prompt action that Netflix has taken to preserve the smooth functioning of the internet during the Covid-19 crisis while maintaining a good experience for users,” Mr Breton said.

Source: The Irish Times March 19, 2020 18:45 UTC