Video streaming service Netflix.com is now the single largest source of downstream Internet traffic in the U.S. according to Sandvine. Netflix accounts for 29.7% of peak downstream traffic. Netflix is higher than HTTP websites (18%), BitTorrent (11%), and YouTube (10%) as a source for downstream traffic during peak times in North America. Real-time entertainment including video streaming accounts for 49% of downstream traffic in March 2011. [TechCrunch]

If you are one of the 3.5 million Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) users that stream movies between 8-10PM, you are considered to be a data hog. According to research by broadband solution and analysis firm Sandvine, “20.6% of all peak period bytes downloaded on fixed access networks in North America are Netflix.” BitTorrent accounted for 13.2% of traffic during peak hours. Real-Time video and audio streaming entertainment consumed 45.7% as a whole. Mmm bandwidth OM NOM NOM NOM! [ZDNet]