Streaming media | Definition, History, & Facts
Streaming media, multimedia transferred, or “streamed,” over the Internet for instant consumption by an end user. Just as when files are downloaded, streamed media is broken down into numerous data packets. These data packets are then reconstructed into the original file by the application the user employs as a streaming media player. Streaming media is more efficient than downloading media because a copy of the entire file does not need to be saved onto the viewer’s device before playback can begin. Instead, only a small portion of the file is copied, and that portion is deleted to ...
Source: britannica.com