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.

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).