The Climate Entanglements of Television Archives: The Materiality of Digital Preservation

Abstract

Over the last decade, many television archives have digitized their collections, making them increasingly accessible online. While this is a major advancement for historical research, the shift to online accessibility comes with significant environmental costs. Using the Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision as a case study, this article scrutinizes the environmental impact of archiving television. It provides context for the establishment of television archives as well as their digitization, and addresses the financial underpinnings of preserving Dutch audiovisual heritage. The article emphasizes the materiality of digital culture, drawing attention to the generation of e-waste and the substantial consumption of energy and water, which is exacerbated by the use of AI in managing these archives. Ultimately, the article challenges researchers to reconsider their expectations for immediate online access, urging reflection on the environmental implications of such demands.