Netflix Accelerates Shift from Silverlight to HTML5 Streaming
Netflix continues its strategic move away from Microsoft’s Silverlight plugin, embracing HTML5 for a more seamless streaming experience. The latest development? Full HTML5 video support in Safari on Apple’s new OS X Yosemite operating system.
What This Means for Mac Users
- No more plugins: Mac users can now stream Netflix content directly in Safari without installing additional software
- Improved performance: HTML5 reduces CPU load by up to 50% compared to Silverlight
- Extended battery life: Netflix reports MacBook Air devices gain 2+ additional hours of streaming time for 1080p content
Current Availability
The HTML5 transition is currently live for:
- Members of the Mac Developer Program
- Safari browsers running on OS X Yosemite
General availability will follow with the public beta release of Yosemite this summer.
Technical Breakthroughs Enabling the Switch
Netflix credits Apple’s implementation of three critical HTML5 Premium Video Extensions in Safari:
- Media Source Extensions: Optimizes video delivery pipeline
- Encrypted Media Extensions: Protects content from piracy
- Web Cryptography API: Secures data transmission between Netflix’s JavaScript app and servers
The Bigger Picture
This move follows Netflix’s 2013 transition to HTML5 in Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 8.1. With both Microsoft and Apple now supporting plugin-free streaming, industry observers predict Netflix will next focus on:
- Google Chrome (the most popular browser globally)
- Mozilla Firefox
Why This Matters
The shift to HTML5 represents:
- Better user experience: Faster load times, smoother playback
- Enhanced security: Reduced vulnerability surface without plugins
- Future-proofing: Alignment with modern web standards
As streaming technology evolves, Netflix continues leading the charge toward more efficient, accessible content delivery across all platforms.
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