OTT platform as an alternative continues winning viewers’ attention in comparison with traditional broadcast television. There are multiple reasons for that: convenience, flexibility, on-demand nature, and many other factors. Many streaming platforms adopt television programming functionality as well. For this reason, it is getting more difficult to differentiate streaming from TV broadcasting.
These terms are often used interchangeably, but they are still different concepts. Let’s explore them in detail.
What is Broadcasting?
Remember these evenings when the whole family gathered around a TV set to watch the news or shows? They could fight over a remote control because not everyone wanted to view the same program. If somebody couldn’t win the remote, they missed the show because it was scheduled. There was no opportunity to watch several programs simultaneously.
The technical working is that analog TV signals are transmitted from a terrestrial location to receivers simultaneously. All receivers around will get the same signal in continuous transmission. However, the reception could get worse if the receiver is located too far away from it. This is how radio and television operate.
Digital broadcasting signals replaced analog ones, which improved the quality of broadcasting.
What is Streaming?
While broadcasting operates on a one-to-many basis, live stream signals are about one-to-one delivery. With television, the same signals are sent to each viewer. In streaming, each receiver gets different signals: your friend will receive a distinct one from yours even if you both watch one show at the same time.
The signal adapts to the technical requirements of your device and network conditions. It allows content providers to ensure the best viewing experience for every user of their service.
Key Differences Between Broadcasting and Streaming
The nature of the signal is the key difference here. One signal sent to multiple devices is broadcast, while multiple signals sent to many devices refer to streaming. When streaming, a receiver and a sender build a connection. Broadcasting is just sending signals to people with the right equipment.
But is this distinction significant? Let’s explore.
Usage
Streaming services benefit from the multi-platform functionality. Viewers can access their content library on any internet-connected device, including mobile phones, tablets, TVs, and desktop computers. Everything necessary for streaming is an internet connection, preferably fiber internet for faster and more reliable speeds, a compatible device, and access to an online service.
On the other hand, traditional broadcasts might require a cable, a set-top box, or a satellite dish. Also, it is not available on mobile devices.
Picture quality
Many television providers offer HD and SD quality channels, allowing people to choose the one they like. Sometimes, they are automatically switched to a better quality.
Streaming, in turn, utilizes adaptive bitrate streaming (ABR), which allows the delivery of content at various bitrates. The quality of a picture adjusts to available bandwidth. ABR ensures the best possible quality of a video at a given moment.
Latency
Latency is the delay that occurs between capture and actual playback. While television has up to a 5-second lag, streaming often delays up to 45 seconds. However, it usually depends on the protocols used. For example, HLS or CMAF for DASH can provide latency that lasts a few seconds or less. Technology development is working on minimizing latency, and for this reason, many people invest in it.
Scalability
Traditional television is usually limited to regional broadcasting while streaming services can reach viewers globally. However, some governmental restrictions or simply a content owner’s decision can limit their reach to a number of locations as well. This ensures more freedom for streaming services.
Final Thoughts
Despite the fact that many people are switching to streaming services, broadcasting and streaming still work parallelly. Some content owners utilize both to reach different viewer segments. It is better to keep in mind their differences to make a more informed decision to achieve your goals.
