Netflix CDN Customers have More Fun

   

Showing Prime Time data. Source: Netflix

Netflix (31.6% of US fixed traffic - here) has improved its "ISP Performance" reports [see "Netflix - New Site Shows ISP Performance for US, UK, Scandinavia and more" - here], by isolating the prime time statistics - "so you know which Internet service providers (ISPs) deliver the best Netflix experience when it matters most".

Joris Evers, director of corporate communications at Netflix, shows in a blog post the effect of the Netflix' CDN on ISP performance, during prime time:

"Prime time is the equivalent of rush hour on the Internet. This can lead to congestion on the network, just like physical traffic can on roads. When watching Netflix, network congestion can manifest itself as buffering, lower video quality or longer start-up times. 

This graphic shows how important the effect of network congestion during prime time can be on the viewing experience. ISP speeds are consistently much better for customers served by ISPs that directly connect their network to Netflix using our Open Connect content delivery network. [see "Majority of Netflix Traffic Uses its Free CDN" - here and "Netflix CDN Appliance Design: 100TB;10Gbps -- in 4U Chassis" - here]. This performance difference is even more evident during prime time".

Apparently, Cablevision is using the CDN and TWC doesn’t, and indeed its prime time service shows significant worse performance, while Cablevision maintains a more constant service. Nevertheless, TWC is still better than other ISPs, according to the above chart.

See "New: Netflix Prime Time ISP Performance Metrics'" - here.