Understanding Streaming TV: What It Is and How It Works

Video streaming is the best way to enjoy content on your PC or smartphone. Instant access to your favorite shows, movies, and other media is fun and flexible – and it’s available on your TV, too.

Streaming TV is now one of the most popular ways to catch new movies, binge-watch amazing television, and enjoy a tailored media experience just for you. But what is streaming TV, and is it really better than what cable offers? Today, we’ll break down exactly how streaming TV works and how you can get it for your home. Let’s begin!

What is streaming TV?

For decades, you turned on your TV and watched whatever the local station was currently broadcasting. Similar to listening to live radio, your media schedule wasn’t really your own; it was the same schedule as everyone else’s. To get access to TV, you paid a cable or satellite subscription.

Streaming TV is different in several significant ways. Put simply, streaming TV is watching TV channels, movies, or programs online without a subscription and without necessarily having to watch live broadcasts. It’s freedom in entertainment choice brought to your home by your internet connection. You’re already familiar with streaming TV if you’ve used services like Hulu, Max, or Disney+.

How does streaming TV work?

Like other online streaming, TV streaming doesn't require you to download content before you can view your media of choice. Instead, your internet connection continually streams content to your TV, usually streaming a few seconds to a few minutes of video ahead of time for buffering (so you don't experience any lag or stuttering, even if your internet connection fluctuates here and there).

Here's how the TV streaming process works step by step:

• You connect your home to the internet with an internet service provider (ISP).
• Using either a smart TV or TV streaming device that connects to a standard TV, you access the internet on your TV with your remote control.
• Through an app like Prime Video, Apple TV, Netflix, or Tubi, you then access a library of TV content and/or channels, depending on what the app offers.
• After selecting what you want to watch, the app streams media through your internet connection to your TV moment by moment. No cable connection is needed!

The TV streaming process is very similar to watching media on YouTube or other internet sites. The only real difference? You’re experiencing the media on your TV instead of your computer or smartphone.

TV streaming service types

TV streaming is a popular pick in part due to its variety. There are many different accessible types of TV streaming services and apps you can enjoy, including:

• Live TV streaming services, which gives you access to live TV channels. This is the most similar TV streaming service to cable TV, but it's still all through your internet connection instead of a separate cable subscription.
• On-demand TV streaming, which allows you to watch whatever you want as soon as the mood strikes you. For instance, you can watch a new movie on demand through Hulu or a similar app or check out a new show on another streaming app, picking new episodes to go through on demand.
• Free streaming, which includes any TV streaming services that provide you with media for free. Note that free TV streaming usually includes advertisements and may only offer a limited selection of programming.

Is streaming TV the same thing as streaming video on your PC?

Essentially, yes!

Your PC or smartphone streams content by connecting to the internet, and then requesting media from a website or other online media provider. When you watch a YouTube video, you connect to the YouTube website, click on the video you want to watch, and YouTube actively sends you the content until you’re done. You never download or save the content to your computer at any step of the process.

Streaming TV does the exact same thing. Even if you buy a movie or TV show through your streaming service, you don't save that media content on your TV or streaming device. Instead, you purchase a license to view that media forever.

What internet speed is needed for streaming TV?

Because streaming media takes up a lot of data, you need a fairly fast internet connection with plenty of bandwidth to stream consistently and smoothly – especially if you want to stream in high definition!

So, how fast is fast enough? On average, you'll need an internet download speed of 5 Megabits per second (Mbps) to stream movies or shows in standard definition. HDTV streaming typically requires a download speed of 25 Mbps, and 4k streaming needs even more. The higher the definition, the higher the internet speed you should have to avoid buffering or image downscaling in the middle of streaming.

Not sure if your internet is fast enough for streaming TV? Hop on your smartphone or computer and look up an online speed test. That should tell you the average speed for your home's internet connection no matter what device you’re using.

Internet type and TV streaming

Some types of internet connections are much better for TV streaming than others. Generally, internet that's great for easy surfing, fast downloads, and lag-free gaming is also great for streaming TV (and streaming media on your PC or smartphone, for that matter).

Fiber internet is the top choice for most homeowners for several reasons:

• Fiber internet is generally faster than cable internet, which uses coaxial copper cables to send information from place to place. Underground fiber cables facilitate faster data transfers and are more resilient to weather-related internet outages.
• Fiber is also great for ensuring smooth internet experiences for everyone in your home, even if everyone is online simultaneously. That's because many fiber plans come with ample bandwidth, leaving enough room in the connection for everyone’s data needs.

While cable or DSL internet might work in a pinch, fiber is a much better option in the long run for TV streaming, hardcore gaming, and everything in between.

Streaming TV vs. cable TV

Cable TV might have been the default option years ago, but that’s no longer the case. Compared to streaming TV, cable TV has several major downsides:

• You don’t choose what's being broadcast with cable TV, and you can only watch whatever is being broadcast at that moment.
• Accessing cable TV requires a coax cable connection that limits where you can physically place your TV within your home.
• Different content often requires changing input sources or devices, compared to the convenience of an all-in-one option from streaming TV.

Since most homes already need fast internet, extending that internet to your TV so you can watch what you want, when you want is a no-brainer. The only thing left to choose is where you’ll get your internet from.

Switch to lightspeed fiber TV today

There’s TV streaming, and then there’s TV streaming, complete with hundreds of instant-access channels, top-notch service, and other big benefits. At Glo Fiber, our TV plans offer an unparalleled Fiber TV streaming experience that includes features like:

• An intuitive, single-screen guide
• Over 300 channels
• Advanced parental controls
• Cloud DVR
• And more!

When you switch to fiber internet and pair Fiber TV with our best-in-class fiber internet service, you’ll enjoy seamless streaming, fast downloads, and reliable connectivity. Check out our offers today!