Transmitting digital audio or video content while users listen or watch. Material can be streamed from a private network or the public Internet, the latter now the streaming capital of the world. The overwhelming majority of streaming content (Netfilx, Hulu, etc.) is offered on-demand rather than at scheduled times.
Streaming vs. Downloading
Unlike downloading files, which remain in the receiving device until the user deletes them, streaming content is not retained after being played.
Streaming and Broadcasting
Broadcasting has traditionally meant free over-the-air network TV channels such as ABC, CBS and NBC. However, as streaming and network TV channels are increasingly combined in cable TV services such as Comcast and FiOS, the streaming and broadcasting terms have blurred. See
network TV,
stream,
audio streaming,
video streaming,
adaptive streaming and
home theater streaming.