Streaming vs. Broadcast — What's the Difference?

A method of delivering content over the internet.

Limited viewer interaction.

Requires a stable internet connection.

Transmitting programs to a wide audience at set times.

Allows viewer interaction and control.

Accessible via traditional media channels.

Typically involves a subscription fee.

Follows a fixed program schedule.

Offers on-demand content access.

Governed by strict regulations.

A flow of water in a channel or bed, as a brook, rivulet, or small river.

To communicate or transmit (a signal, a message, or content, such as audio or video programming) to numerous recipients simultaneously over a communication network

A steady current in such a flow of water.

To make known over a wide area

A steady current of a fluid.

To sow (seed) over a wide area, especially by hand.

A large amount or number moving or occurring in steady succession

To communicate or transmit a signal, a message, or content, such as audio or video programming, to numerous recipients simultaneously over a communication network.

A trend, course, or drift, as of opinion, thought, or history.

The act or process of broadcasting a signal, a message, or content, such as audio or video programming.

A beam or ray of light.

A signal, message, or audio or video program that is broadcast over a communication network

Chiefly British A course of study to which students are tracked.

The act of scattering seed.

(Computers) A steady flow of data.

Communicated or transmitted by means of broadcasting, as over a communications network

To flow in a stream or current.

Of or relating to the broadcasting of audio or video content over communication networks, as in television or radio.

To pour forth or give off a stream; flow

Widely known.

To move or arrive in large numbers; pour

Scattered over a wide area.

To extend, wave, or float outward

In a scattered manner.

To leave a continuous trail of light.

Cast or scattered widely in all directions; cast abroad.

To give forth a continuous stream of light rays or beams; shine.

Communicated, signalled, or transmitted through radio waves or electronic means.

To emit, discharge, or exude (a body fluid, for example).

Relating to transmissions of messages or signals through radio waves or electronic means.

(Computers) To transmit or receive (audio or video content), especially over the internet, in small, sequential packets that permit the content to be played continuously as it is being received and without saving it to a hard disk.

Widely in all directions; abroad.

Flowing or moving in continuous succession, like fluid in a stream.

By having its seeds sown over a wide area.

Present participle of stream

A transmission of a radio or television programme intended to be received by anyone with a receiver.

Movement as a stream.

A programme (bulletin, documentary, show, etc.) so transmitted.

(computing) The transmission of digital audio or video, or the reception or playback of such data without first storing it.

The act of scattering seed; a crop grown from such seed.

Division of classes into academic streams.

(transitive) To transmit a message or signal through radio waves or electronic means.

The working of alluvial deposits to get ore.

(transitive) To transmit a message over a wide area; specifically, to send an email in a single transmission to a (typically large) number of people.

Sending forth streams.

(intransitive) To appear as a performer, presenter, or speaker in a broadcast programme.

The act or operation of that which streams; the act of that which sends forth, or which runs in, streams.

To sow seeds over a wide area.

The reduction of stream tin; also, the search for stream tin.

A casting or throwing seed in all directions, as from the hand in sowing.

The rapid flow of cytoplasm within a cell; - called also protoplasmic streaming.

An act of broadcasting; specifically, a program in which sounds or images are transmitted in all directions from a radio or television station; - usually referring to a scheduled program on a commercial or public service radio or television station, using the normal radio frequencies for those media, in contrast to a radiotelephone conversation, which may also be transmitted in all directions, but is intended for receipt by a base station in the telephone network.

The circulation of cytoplasm within a cell

Cast or dispersed in all directions, as seed from the hand in sowing; widely diffused.

Exuding a bodily fluid in profuse amounts;

Scattering in all directions (as a method of sowing); - opposed to planting in hills, or rows.

Moving smoothly and continuously;

So as to scatter or be scattered in all directions; so as to spread widely, as seed from the hand in sowing, or news from the press.

(of liquids) moving freely;

To cast or disperse in all directions, as seed from the hand in sowing; to diffuse widely.

To transmit (sounds, images, or other signals) in all directions from a radio or television station.

To disseminate (information, a speech, an advertisement, etc.) from a radio or television station.

To spread (information, news, gossip) widely by any means.

Message that is transmitted by radio or television

A radio or television show;

Broadcast over the airwaves, as in radio or television;

Sow over a wide area, especially by hand;

Cause to become widely known;

Streaming is a technology used to deliver content like movies, TV shows, and music to computers and mobile devices over the internet, allowing users to access media on-demand.

You need a device capable of connecting to the internet, such as a smart TV, smartphone, or computer.

Broadcasting can reach a broader audience, especially in areas with limited internet access, and is often live, making it ideal for real-time content such as news and sports.

Generally, live broadcasting cannot be paused or rewound, unlike streaming content.

Yes, traditional broadcast TV and radio are often available for free, requiring only the appropriate receiving equipment.

Broadcasting faces stricter regulations concerning content and advertising standards, while streaming is relatively less regulated but still subject to laws depending on the country.

Broadcasting is the transmission of radio waves or TV signals to a broad public audience, typically scheduled and at set times.

Streaming delivers content on-demand via the internet with interactive capabilities, while broadcasting sends content through radio waves or cable at fixed times without interaction.

Many streaming services require a subscription, although there are some ad-supported options that are free.

"On-demand" means that users can choose what and when to watch, with the ability to start, stop, and resume viewing as they choose.