Toward a Sustainable Streaming Industry: Dan Goman’s Vision for a Greener Future

How Innovation and Technology Can Reduce the Carbon Footprint of Streaming

The streaming industry has revolutionized the way people consume entertainment, rapidly replacing traditional cable TV and physical media with a vast, on-demand content library. With global OTT video subscriptions expected to reach nearly 2 billion by 2028, the industry’s meteoric rise has been fueled by an intense focus on content expansion and market penetration. However, as platforms push for 4K and 8K video, virtual reality experiences, and personalized recommendations, they are now confronted with a pressing challenge—sustainability.

Streaming is responsible for approximately 3-4% of the global carbon footprint, putting it on par with the aviation industry. Behind every seamless stream lies an energy-intensive ecosystem—data centers, content storage, and consumer devices that operate non-stop. This rapid expansion has strained infrastructure and raised concerns about the environmental impact of digital entertainment. As sustainability becomes a central pillar of corporate strategy across industries, streaming platforms must rethink their operational models to align innovation with eco-conscious practices.

Dan Goman’s Perspective: Sustainability as an Opportunity for Innovation

Dan Goman, CEO of Ateliere Creative Technologies, believes sustainability should be seen not as a limitation but as an opportunity for transformation. His company, a leader in cloud-native media supply chain solutions, is pioneering the use of AI and cloud infrastructure to streamline workflows, reduce redundancy, and minimize the environmental impact of media production and distribution.

An industry outsider with a background in software and technology, Goman highlights the entertainment sector’s historic resistance to change. However, he sees this moment as a unique opportunity for streaming to break away from legacy inefficiencies and embrace a more agile, sustainable future.

Key Challenges in Decarbonizing Media

The complexity of the streaming ecosystem makes sustainability a daunting task. The industry’s reliance on legacy infrastructure and fragmented workflows has resulted in operational silos, where production, post-production, distribution, and storage operate independently. This disjointed structure not only slows efficiency but also makes it nearly impossible to track and optimize energy consumption.

One of the biggest inefficiencies is redundant content storage. The same media files are often stored across multiple servers, consuming vast amounts of energy. Without centralized systems, even well-intentioned sustainability efforts remain fragmented.

Another challenge is the increasing demand for high-definition content, immersive virtual reality experiences, and constant content expansion. This growth has dramatically increased data loads, putting further strain on infrastructure. Additionally, as streaming expands into new global markets—particularly regions with underdeveloped energy grids—the environmental burden will only intensify.

Strategic Implications for Studios and Distributors

Sustainability is no longer just an ethical choice—it is a competitive advantage. Consumers and investors are prioritizing ESG metrics, and streaming platforms must integrate green initiatives into their core strategies.

Many major platforms now function as both content creators and distributors, offering an opportunity to implement sustainable practices from production to playback. Technologies like virtual production, used in projects like The Mandalorian, allow filmmakers to create immersive settings without resource-heavy shoots or extensive travel. Remote collaboration tools like Ateliere Connect further support these shifts by eliminating the need for energy-intensive production logistics.

Cloud-native platforms are also changing the game. Ateliere Connect enables centralized content management, reducing storage costs and improving efficiency. Meanwhile, Ateliere’s FrameDNA™ AI tool helps eliminate duplicate content, cutting both emissions and operational expenses. With cloud storage costs often a growing concern for streaming platforms, these innovations can lower expenses by up to 90%.

On the distribution side, adaptive streaming technologies optimize video quality based on network conditions, reducing unnecessary data loads while maintaining a seamless user experience. Companies like Ateliere have also partnered with AWS, which has committed to running on 100% renewable energy by 2025, ensuring that sustainability efforts extend beyond the streaming industry itself.

Reshaping Streaming Operations for a Sustainable Future

Historically, the entertainment industry has lagged behind in technological advancements, but streaming offers a rare chance to lead the way. The sector’s rapid expansion has already reshaped consumer expectations, and now, sustainability can be the driving force behind its next evolution.

Embracing sustainable practices is more than a compliance exercise—it is an opportunity to unlock efficiency, drive down costs, and fuel the next wave of innovation. Lessons learned from AI-driven media management, optimized cloud storage, and scalable streaming solutions could have ripple effects across industries, from logistics to manufacturing.

As Dan Goman asserts, sustainability is the missing piece that can propel the streaming industry out of its legacy-driven past. By integrating smart, efficient technologies, streaming platforms can continue their path of innovation while minimizing their impact on the planet—ensuring that the future of entertainment is not only immersive but also sustainable.