A network pipe optimization method operable in a content delivery network (102, 202, 250), the method comprising: obtaining at least one of a push pipe utilization report and a pull pipe utilization report from each distribution node of the content delivery network (102, 202, 250), wherein the distribution nodes are organized into multiple hierarchical levels, the push pipe utilization and pull pipe utilization reports indicating current consumption of push content and pull content via all outgoing distribution pipes from a distribution node to another downstream content delivery network node; determining new push pipe weights and new pull pipe weights for the outgoing distribution pipes associated with each distribution node of the content delivery network (102, 202, 250) responsive to the push pipe and pull pipe utilization reports, wherein a weight associated with a particular push pipe or pull pipe indicates a bandwidth apportionment for that particular pipe; simulating, using at least one of the new push pipe weights and new pull pipe weights, a network pipe utilization model associated with the content delivery network (102, 202, 250); and responsive to determining that the simulated network pipe utilization model yields an improved utilization of the content delivery network (102, 202, 250), distributing the new push pipe weights and new pull pipe weights to each distribution node in the content delivery network (102, 202, 250), wherein the new push pipe weights and the new pull pipe weights are operative to apportion bandwidth of each outgoing distribution pipe from a distribution node to another downstream content delivery network node. obtaining at least one of a push pipe utilization report and a pull pipe utilization report from each distribution node of the content delivery network (102, 202, 250), wherein the distribution nodes are organized into multiple hierarchical levels, the push pipe utilization and pull pipe utilization reports indicating current consumption of push content and pull content via all outgoing distribution pipes from a distribution node to another downstream content delivery network node; determining new push pipe weights and new pull pipe weights for the outgoing distribution pipes associated with each distribution node of the content delivery network (102, 202, 250) responsive to the push pipe and pull pipe utilization reports, wherein a weight associated with a particular push pipe or pull pipe indicates a bandwidth apportionment for that particular pipe; simulating, using at least one of the new push pipe weights and new pull pipe weights, a network pipe utilization model associated with the content delivery network (102, 202, 250); and responsive to determining that the simulated network pipe utilization model yields an improved utilization of the content delivery network (102, 202, 250), distributing the new push pipe weights and new pull pipe weights to each distribution node in the content delivery network (102, 202, 250), wherein the new push pipe weights and the new pull pipe weights are operative to apportion bandwidth of each outgoing distribution pipe from a distribution node to another downstream content delivery network node.