Netflix is reducing video quality in Canada as usage surges during COVID-19

In an effort to decrease bandwidth usage during the COVID-19 outbreak, Netflix Canada has temporarily reduced the video quality on its streaming service.

The change comes amidst a massive surge of Netflix users across Canada who are enjoying content on the platform while at home self-isolating or in quarantine. The changes to video quality were officially implemented on Thursday and continue for the next 30 days.

Netflix reduces video quality in Canada to lower internet bandwidth use https://t.co/4WAZQvAsa6 pic.twitter.com/zdi8ZjSaxK

— CP24 (@CP24) March 26, 2020

The reduction of Netflix’s video quality is intended to cut down on its data traffic by 25 per cent as the platform is used at a much higher frequency than the usual during the unprecedented global pandemic of COVID-19.

That said, most Netflix users shouldn’t notice any significant change in the overall video quality with the lowered bandwidth streams, regardless of the chosen streaming quality.

The changes follow similar ones made by Netflix in other parts of the world, including New Zealand, India, Europe, and Australia.

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• coronavirus
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• Hamilton
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• self-isolation
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