| Most common streaming model | SVOD (Subscription Video on Demand) |
| Recommended internet speed for 4K streaming | 25 Mbps or higher (per FCC guidance) (FCC Broadband Speed Guide) |
| What causes buffering | Insufficient bandwidth or high latency between your device and the CDN |
| FAST segment growth | One of the fastest-growing streaming categories in the US as of the mid-2020s (Industry analysts, various 2023–2024 reports) |
| Typical HD bitrate requirement | Approximately 5–8 Mbps for 1080p streaming |
| Codec efficiency trend | Newer codecs like AV1 deliver comparable quality at roughly half the bitrate of H.264 (Alliance for Open Media) |
Why Streaming Terminology Matters
Streaming has quietly become the default way most Americans consume movies, TV, music, and live sports. But the industry that powers it runs on a dense layer of acronyms, technical shorthand, and business jargon that can leave even regular viewers feeling a step behind. Understanding these terms helps you make smarter decisions about the services you subscribe to, the devices you use, and the quality you expect.
This glossary is a quick-reference guide — the kind you can return to whenever a new term surfaces. Think of it as a companion to our deeper look at what video quality labels like 4K and HDR really mean, or the plain-English reference for audio and video settings on major platforms. If you enjoy glossaries in other areas, we've also covered the language of cinema and music industry terminology.
| Most common streaming model | SVOD (Subscription Video on Demand) |
| Recommended internet speed for 4K streaming | 25 Mbps or higher (per FCC guidance) (FCC Broadband Speed Guide) |
| What causes buffering | Insufficient bandwidth or high latency between your device and the CDN |
| FAST segment growth | One of the fastest-growing streaming categories in the US as of the mid-2020s (Industry analysts, various 2023–2024 reports) |
| Typical HD bitrate requirement | Approximately 5–8 Mbps for 1080p streaming |
| Codec efficiency trend | Newer codecs like AV1 deliver comparable quality at roughly half the bitrate of H.264 (Alliance for Open Media) |
Key Streaming Terms, Defined
Below are the most essential terms you'll encounter across streaming platforms, device menus, and entertainment headlines.
SVOD
Subscription Video on Demand. A model where viewers pay a recurring fee — usually monthly — to access an unlimited library of content. It's the most common streaming business model in the US.
AVOD
Advertising-based Video on Demand. Content is free or discounted, funded by ads inserted during playback. Many major platforms now offer ad-supported tiers alongside their subscription options.
FAST
Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV. Internet-delivered channels that require no subscription and are supported entirely by advertising, similar in concept to traditional broadcast TV.
Bitrate
The amount of data transmitted per second in a video or audio stream, measured in megabits per second (Mbps). Higher bitrates support sharper visuals and richer sound but require faster internet connections.
Latency
The time delay between a live event occurring and appearing on screen. Low latency is critical for sports and live broadcasts where real-time accuracy matters to the viewer.
Codec
Short for coder-decoder. Software that compresses video or audio for efficient transmission and then decompresses it for playback. Common examples include H.264 for video and AAC for audio.
CDN
Content Delivery Network. A distributed system of servers that delivers streaming content to viewers quickly by routing data through a server geographically close to them, reducing buffering.
Adaptive Bitrate Streaming (ABR)
A technique that automatically adjusts the quality of a video stream in real time based on the viewer's available internet bandwidth, preventing buffering at the cost of temporary quality reduction.
DRM
Digital Rights Management. Encryption and access control technology used by streaming platforms to prevent unauthorized copying or redistribution of licensed content.
TVOD
Transactional Video on Demand. A pay-per-view model where viewers pay individually to rent or purchase specific titles rather than subscribing to an ongoing library.
Originals
Content produced, co-produced, or exclusively licensed by a streaming platform. Originals are typically only available on that service and are a key driver of subscriber growth.
Simultaneous Streams
The number of devices that can play content from a single subscription at the same time. Plans with more simultaneous streams are typically priced higher.
Business and Subscription Models
SVOD (Subscription Video on Demand) is the model most people are familiar with — pay a monthly fee and watch as much as you like. Examples include major subscription-based streaming services. AVOD (Advertising-based Video on Demand) offers free or lower-cost content supported by ads. TVOD (Transactional Video on Demand) means paying per title — renting or buying a specific movie or episode rather than subscribing to a library.
FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV) is a growing segment of the market: channels delivered over the internet with no subscription required, funded entirely by advertising. Think of it as internet-delivered cable with no monthly bill.
Ad-Supported Tiers Are Expanding
Many streaming platforms that launched as pure SVOD services have introduced AVOD or hybrid ad-supported tiers in recent years. This shift reflects changing subscriber economics rather than a decline in content quality. Viewers choosing a lower-cost tier should expect periodic ad breaks, similar to traditional television, and may find certain titles unavailable without an upgrade.
Technical Terms
Bitrate refers to how much data is delivered per second of video or audio. Higher bitrates generally mean better picture and sound quality — but they also demand more from your internet connection. Latency is the delay between a signal being sent and received, which matters most during live streams: high latency means events appear on your screen seconds after they actually happen.
Codec is short for coder-decoder — the software that compresses and decompresses video or audio. Common video codecs include H.264 and the newer, more efficient AV1. Audio codecs work similarly; for a breakdown of audio-specific codec names, see our Bluetooth codec explainer. CDN (Content Delivery Network) is the behind-the-scenes infrastructure that routes video from a platform's servers to your device efficiently, reducing buffering.
Adaptive Bitrate Streaming (ABR) is the technology that automatically adjusts video quality in real time based on your available bandwidth — the reason a stream sometimes dips in sharpness during a slow connection and then recovers.
25 Mbps
Minimum speed for smooth 4K streaming
The FCC recommends at least 25 Mbps download speed per device for Ultra HD streaming content.
~50%
Bitrate reduction with modern codecs
Next-generation codecs like AV1, developed by the Alliance for Open Media, can reduce file size by roughly half compared to older H.264 encoding at equivalent quality.
Viewer Experience Terms
Buffering is the pause that occurs when your device downloads ahead of playback to create a smooth stream — and the frustrating freeze when that buffer runs dry. DRM (Digital Rights Management) is the encryption technology platforms use to control how content is accessed and copied. Simultaneous streams refers to how many devices a subscription plan allows to play content at the same time.
Originals describes content produced or exclusively licensed by a platform — the shows and films you can only watch on that service. Understanding this term helps clarify why certain beloved titles stay exclusive to specific platforms even as others rotate between services.