The amount of electrical power required to stream content via Netflix for a single hour constitutes its energy demand within that timeframe. This consumption is typically measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh) and varies based on several factors, including video resolution, device type, and network efficiency. For example, streaming in Ultra HD (4K) demands significantly more power than Standard Definition (SD) viewing on the same device.
Understanding electricity use during streaming is important for several reasons. For individual users, it contributes to household energy bills and carbon footprint. On a broader scale, the aggregated demand from millions of users globally has implications for power grid stability and overall energy resource management. Historically, media consumption relied on physical media, which had its own energy footprint; the shift to streaming represents a significant change in how entertainment impacts energy systems.
