AOMedia releases AV2 codec promising 30% bandwidth reduction over AV1

The finalization of AV2 provides a roadmap for high-bandwidth content delivery—specifically 8K and immersive VR—at sustainable bitrates. While AV1 reached critical mass in 2025, AV2 aims to neutralize the technical advantages of the rival VVC (H.266) standard by providing similar efficiency without the complex royalty hurdles associated with MPEG-derived codecs. For streaming operators, this suggests a future where high-fidelity 4K streaming fits into the bandwidth profiles of current 1080p content. However, adoption hinges on hardware silicon manufacturers; with no AV2-capable chips yet announced, immediate impact will be limited to software-based experimental workflows. Expect a 3-to-5-year lag before AV2 achieves the hardware penetration currently enjoyed by AV1.

The release of AV2 comes as its predecessor, AV1, has finally achieved mainstream stability. According to data reported by Broadband TV News in December 2025, Netflix now streams approximately 30% of its total volume via AV1. Furthermore, 88% of large-screen devices submitted for Netflix certification between 2021 and 2025 now include native AV1 support, including standard 4K/60fps capability. This foundation is critical for AV2, as AOMedia members like Google and Samsung typically prioritize hardware-accelerated playback for their own ecosystems before third-party adoption follows.

While AV2 is marketed as royalty-free, the patent landscape is becoming increasingly contentious. Per Streaming Media in March 2026, the patent pool administrator Sisvel announced it had successfully licensed roughly 50% of the hardware market for AV1 devices, challenging the notion that open codecs are entirely free of licensing costs. Additionally, Access Advance launched a Video Distribution Patent (VDP) Pool in early 2025 that covers multiple codecs, including AV1 and AV2, signaling that major IP holders are aggressively targeting streaming services for royalties regardless of the underlying standard.

Competitively, AV2 is positioned as a response to the stagnation of Versatile Video Coding (VVC). While VVC achieved full standard status in July 2025, adoption remains sluggish compared to HEVC. According to reports from Promwad in September 2025, industry analysts consider VVC to have missed its ideal deployment window, leaving a vacuum for AV2 to fill as the preferred standard for next-generation 8K/120Hz and AR/VR infrastructure. This shift is further evidenced by Netflix's expansion of AV1-based HDR10+ streaming to 85% of its HDR catalog as of late 2025, bypassing VVC entirely for its premium tier.