As everyone's indoors for the next while, you can imagine that streaming services are getting far higher usage than they have ever seen before.
On top of that, however, comes the reality that internet providers are under enormous pressure to make sure it's all working because, let's face it, streaming services are the only thing stopping people from turning to barbarism.
Anyway, Netflix has said that it's begun lowering the streaming quality in Europe to ensure continued service and that it does not create congestion or added pressure on internet infrastructure.
"Following the discussions between Commissioner Thierry Breton and (Netflix Chief Executive) Reed Hastings, and given the extraordinary challenges raised by the coronavirus, Netflix has decided to begin reducing bitrates across all our streams in Europe for 30 days."
As it stands, if you have an internet connection, you're able to access Netflix absolutely fine and the odds are you'll barely notice a difference. The gulf between HD and SD isn't all that noticeable on the likes of laptops or phones, and it only becomes an issue if you've got a giant TV with pin-point clarity.
YouTube, as well, have announced that they are preparing to introduce measures to ensure that internet providers in countries affected will not be put under severe pressure, and is breaking quality to suit.
A 2019 study found that Netflix alone accounts for 12% of all internet data provided to consumers, with Google / YouTube making up a further 12%. In fact, video in general makes up approximately 60% of all web traffic.
