EP02 - Thierry Fautier Hosts Ben Schwarz: The Truth About Streaming’s Carbon Footprint

🎙️ Playback Pioneers – Episode 2
Thierry Fautier Hosts Ben Schwarz – The Truth About Streaming’s Carbon Footprint

In this episode of Playback Pioneers, Thierry Fautier (Former VP of Video Strategy at Harmonic and MD of Your Media Transformation) takes the host seat to sit down with Ben Schwarz, President of Greening of Streaming, for a candid conversation about sustainability in streaming.

From what’s really driving energy consumption to why “bitrate reduction” isn’t the silver bullet it’s made out to be, Thierry and Ben dig deep into the challenges, contradictions, and future of greener streaming. Expect a smart, nuanced take on how the industry can (and must) evolve—along with some surprising personal insights along the way.

This is not a greenwashing pitch—it's a reality check for the media tech world.

Expect:
🌍 The truth behind streaming’s carbon footprint
⚙️ Why your home devices are the real energy culprits
📉 The limitations of bitrate reduction
📝 How RFPs and industry standards are shifting
💡 A look ahead at 2025 initiatives and real-time energy measurement
🎶 Baroque flutes, empathy, and streaming faves

Timestamps:
00:00 – Welcome to Playback Pioneers
Josh Seeley opens the episode and introduces Thierry and Ben.

01:49 – Sustainability in Streaming: A New Era
Ben sets the scene for why the industry needs to think differently.

08:52 – The Role of Greening of Streaming
How the organisation is creating space for collaboration and accountability.

13:02 – Understanding Key Sustainability Concepts
Attributional vs. consequential data and why it matters.

19:05 – Current Energy Consumption Insights
Ben breaks down where the biggest environmental impact actually lies.

22:38 – Comparing Device Power Consumption
A closer look at home devices vs. networks and data centres.

27:47 – Impact of Bitrate on Power Consumption
Why bitrate adjustments alone won’t save the planet.

33:15 – Sustainability in RFPs and Industry Standards
How procurement is starting to demand change.

34:30 – Government Initiatives in Streaming Sustainability
From content recycling to ESG guidance.

35:36 – The Green Button vs. Gold Button Debate
Should viewers opt-in to eco modes, or should it be default?

37:52 – Key Initiatives for 2025
What’s ahead for Greening of Streaming and beyond.

41:11 – Technical Innovations for Energy Measurement
Why measuring device usage is still a huge challenge.

43:19 – Personal Insights and Advice
The best advice Ben’s ever received and lessons from his journey.

48:07 – Streaming Preferences and Trends
What Ben watches—and why content variety still matters.

50:21 – Final Thoughts and Party Tricks
A lighthearted wrap-up including a musical surprise.