EU asks Netflix and others to only stream in standard definition to reduce broadband strain

The European Union wants streaming service providers like Netflix to limit their services in order to reduce strain on broadband networks, Financial Times reported Thursday. 

The European Commissioner for internal market and services Thierry Breton said such platforms should consider offering content in standard definition only, which consumes less bandwidth than high-definition content, which is often the default for viewers. 

Breton said he had an "important phone conversation" on the matter with Netflix CEO Reed Hastings, though it appears a final decision hasn't been reached.