Skip to main content

Netflix and Youtube grab 50 percent of peak Internet traffic, P2P fades into the sunset

netflix youtube grab 50 peak internet traffic peer fades sunset logo edit
Image used with permission by copyright holder

After years of spying, hiring hackers to safeguard their content, and dragging their own customers into messy courtroom battles, it turns out the best way for big media to stem the massive tide of peer-to-peer file sharing of their content is incredibly simple: put it on Netflix.

The latest Global Internet Phenomena Report released by Sandvine media reveals that Netflix and YouTube now account for over 50 percent of all Internet downstream traffic during peak hours in North America, while peer-to-peer sharing has fallen to a measly 10 percent.

The report shows Netflix taking up the largest bite, garnering 31.6 percent, while Google owned YouTube rose to 18.6 percent. The other “big” streaming sites such as Amazon Instant Video and Hulu pale in comparison to the big red, taking up less than 3 percent of the info superhighway combined. The big number for Netflix is down from last May’s 32.2 percent, but the company’s implementation of SuperHD for all customers should keep its numbers strong, and will likely bring a rise in the coming months, according to Sandvine. Also notable in the report is the fact that Netflix takes up almost 20 percent of traffic in the British Isles only two years after its inception, a number that took four years to reach here in the U.S.

Now think back to 11 years ago, when Sandvine completed its first Global Internet report. When it came to quality streaming content, the internet was a scarcely imaginable desolate landscape in which sites like Netflix, Pandora, Spotify, and even YouTube didn’t exist yet. In those early days of the digital revolution, peer-to-peer file sharing was king, pulling in almost 60 percent of all internet traffic, according to Sandvine. That’s a whole lot of pirates sailing the virtual sea. Six years, and many more available choices later, peer-to-peer sharing fell to just 31 percent, and has continued its decline in correlation with the rise of streaming options to its paltry numbers of less than 10 percent today.

The moral of the story? People will find a way to get content, no matter what. And, as the big four music studios found out in the iTunes/Napster debacle at the turn of the century, you can’t stop the future, no matter how much you want to hold on to the golden days. The format will always change, but the desire for access remains. And those who truly understand that, like Netflix for instance, will find themselves riding the wave instead of being buried by it.

Editors' Recommendations

Ryan Waniata
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Ryan Waniata is a multi-year veteran of the digital media industry, a lover of all things tech, audio, and TV, and a…
This JBL waterproof Bluetooth speaker is 43% off right now
JBL Xtreme 2 on a beach.

Bring the party with you wherever you go with a portable Bluetooth speaker like the JBL Xtreme 2, which is currently on sale from Best Buy at 43% off. From its original price of $350, it's down to a more affordable $200 for savings of $150. We're not sure how much time is remaining for you to take advantage of this offer though, so if you're interested, you're going to have to proceed with the transaction as soon as possible. The bargain may be gone by tomorrow, so complete the purchase today if you can.

Why you should buy the JBL Xtreme 2 Bluetooth speaker
JBL is one of the best speaker brands with portable audio as its calling card, so it's not a surprise that there are multiple JBL devices in our roundup of the best Bluetooth speakers. The JBL Xtreme 2 isn't the latest version in its line -- the JBL Xtreme 4 has already been released -- but it's still a fantastic Bluetooth speaker by today's standards with powerful audio using your mobile device as the source. If you prefer a wired connection over Bluetooth, the JBL Xtreme 2 also offers auxiliary audio input.

Read more
Apple’s AirPods Pro earbuds are back at their cheapest-ever price
Apple AirPods Pro 2 inside their charging case, near iPhone 14.

The second-generation Apple AirPods Pro with USB-C are back down to their cheapest-ever price of $189 on Amazon, for savings of $60 on their sticker price of $249. If you don't own the wireless earbuds yet, or if you're thinking about upgrading from an older model, here's another chance at this discount. However, like with most AirPods deals, we don't think it will last long, so if you want to take advantage of the bargain, you're going to have to proceed with the purchase right away.

Why you should buy the Apple AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C are featured in our list of the best wireless earbuds as the top choice for Apple fans, partly because of how easy it is to pair them with an iPhone or iPad. Just open their charging case, hold it close to your device, and you're done after a few taps. The Apple AirPods Pro 2 also offer solid audio quality with the capability for wireless lossless audio and Apple's immersive Spatial Audio, so you'll enjoy your favorite music even more.

Read more
Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are back at their Black Friday price
Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones seen in silver.

Here's a highly recommended offer from Crutchfield if you're on the lookout for headphone deals -- the Sony WH-1000XM5 for $328, which is what they were going for during last year's Black Friday. If you weren't able to buy them for this cheap for any reason, here's another chance at the $70 discount on their original price of $398. We're not sure how long stocks will last though, so if you want to buy these wireless headphones for a more affordable price, you're going to have to add them to your cart and check out as soon as possible.

Why you should buy the Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones
There are multiple reasons why the Sony WH-1000XM5 reign supreme in our roundup of the best headphones, but it all begins with its impressive active noise cancellation that allows them to stand out among other wireless headphones. They're very comfortable to wear, so you'll be able to maximize their long battery life of up to 30 hours on a single charge with ANC activated and up to 40 hours without it, and they'll allow you to call up Amazon's Alexa or Google Assistant through voice commands.

Read more