Netflix says AV1 now powers 30% of all viewing
Netflix reports that AV1 now powers 30% of its streaming, becoming its second most-used codec, offering improved video quality and reduced bandwidth. The company has expanded AV1 adoption from Android to smart TVs, web browsers, and Apple devices, and is exploring its use for live streaming and cloud gaming with features like HDR10+ and Film Grain Synthesis.
Key Takeaways
- AV1 now powers approximately 30% of all Netflix viewing, based on a November 13, 2025 snapshot.
- Netflix says AV1 is now its second most-used codec and is on track to become number one soon.
- AV1 sessions use one-third less bandwidth than AVC and HEVC, and Netflix says they deliver 45% fewer buffering interruptions.
- Netflix expanded AV1 support from Android to smart TVs in late 2021, web browsers in 2022, and Apple devices in 2023 with M3 and A17 Pro chip support.
- Netflix is evaluating AV1 for live streaming and cloud gaming, and it has already productized AV1 Film Grain Synthesis in July 2025.
Why It Matters
Netflix is no longer treating AV1 as a niche rollout: it now carries roughly a third of viewing and is already the company’s second most-used codec. That matters because the gains are concrete in Netflix’s own data — lower bandwidth, higher VMAF scores, and fewer buffering interruptions — and they apply across mobile, TV, browser, and Apple devices. The broader ecosystem signal is the same one Netflix emphasizes throughout the post: device support, not just encoder support, is what makes codec adoption scale. Watch the next step closely: Netflix says AV2 is due by end of 2025, which will be the next test of how quickly the device ecosystem follows.
Read full article at netflixtechblog.medium.com
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