List of streaming media services

A <a href="/facts/Streaming_media/4rPhSq0Y">streaming media</a> service (also simply called a streaming service) is an online platform that allows users to watch or listen to content, such as <a href="/facts/Film/wM3b9Kk3">movies</a>, <a href="/facts/Television_show/eooTEhwW">TV shows</a>, <a href="/facts/Music/wvCBQYQ3">music</a>, or <a href="/facts/Podcast/arkeh0YV">podcasts</a>, over the <a href="/facts/Internet/Xw1rVvJU">internet</a>. Instead of <a href="/facts/Downloading/qN7fWmyI">downloading</a> the content to their device, users can stream it in real-time, which means they can start watching or listening immediately without having to wait for the entire file to download. Popular examples of streaming services include <a href="/facts/Netflix/TKtlFVY9">Netflix</a>, <a href="/facts/Spotify/wsTSvDD8">Spotify</a>, <a href="/facts/YouTube/db276jst">YouTube</a>, and <a href="/facts/Disney%252B/oKWuzTvQ">Disney+</a>. Streaming services offer instant access to content, allowing users to watch or listen on-demand without the need for downloads or physical media.
An <a href="/facts/Over-the-top_media_service/pVfcCWfe">over-the-top media service</a> (OTT) is a <a href="/facts/Streaming_media/4rPhSq0Y">streaming media</a> service offered directly to viewers via the Internet. OTT bypasses <a href="/facts/Cable_television/GzXa4pbW">cable</a>, <a href="/facts/Broadcast_television/BT0FfFcy">broadcast</a>, and <a href="/facts/Satellite_television/UxytxnPW">satellite television</a> platforms, the companies that traditionally act as controllers or distributors of such content. Most of these services are owned by a <a href="/facts/Major_film_studios/PzIn05EM">major film studio</a>. Some streaming services started as an add-on to <a href="/facts/Blu-ray/zyPalhfG">Blu-ray</a> offerings, which are supplements to the programs watched.
Digital streaming acts in a similar way to <a href="/facts/On_demand_television/jWQq1o80">on-demand television</a> in that the program to watch is selected. But the program is not recorded or stored like it might be on <a href="/facts/TiVo/V4u1w66d">TiVo</a>, etc. <a href="/facts/Digital_video/xsn9omqG">Digital video</a> purchases grant a user indefinite access to a show or film, but the terms and conditions vary as to whether the file can be downloaded or must be streamed.
A client end-user can use a <a href="/facts/Media_player_software/AwtCuWfG">media player</a>, computer, <a href="/facts/Smartphone/cSIrBMWG">smartphone</a>, or <a href="/facts/Smart_TV/JE3CHk0y">smart TV</a> to start and continue playing digital video content before the entire file has been transmitted. Users will need an <a href="/facts/Internet_access/EMbwSrnK">Internet connection</a> to stream or download video content. Users lacking compatible hardware or software systems may be unable to stream or download certain content.

List of streaming media services open-in-new

List of streaming media services