top of page

Understand Streaming: Channels & Streams Explained

Unlock the World of Streaming: Channels vs. Streams

Learn the difference between channels and streams in online video and audio, and how they work together.

Understand Streaming: Channels & Streams Explained

Streaming Services Explained

A channel is the platform (like YouTube, Netflix, Spotify), and a stream is the specific content (video, song, etc.) you watch or listen to on that platform. Think of it like a road (channel) and a car (stream). The road provides the path; the car uses it to reach its destination. Channels provide the way to access and transmit streams to users.

Channels: The Platforms

These are the services you subscribe to or use to access content. Examples: YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, Twitch.

Streams: The Content

This is the actual audio or video you consume. Each video on YouTube, song on Spotify, or live broadcast on Twitch is a separate stream.

What is a Stream?

A stream is the actual data being transmitted, such as a video or audio file.

The Relationship

Channels deliver streams to users. You use a channel (platform) to access and watch or listen to a stream (content).

bottom of page