You can stream TV live or on demand. Either way, the video you’re watching is transmitted over your internet connection while you watch it. In other words, it is streaming.

That’s what live and on-demand streaming have in common. But what makes them different?

Basically, on-demand streaming lets you watch individual TV series and movies whenever you want, while live TV works more like cable or satellite by offering local broadcast networks and other live programming.

Think of an on-demand streaming service as a large library of videos you can browse and watch when you want. These services tend to have more movies and older shows, plus exclusive originals produced by the streaming provider. Examples include Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and Max.

On the other hand, live streaming feels more like traditional TV with news, sports, current shows, and broadcast networks. You tune in to watch a show when it’s scheduled in the TV guide. Live streaming can be a good cable TV replacement. Examples include YouTube TV, Hulu+Live, and DirecTV via Internet.

Whether live or on-demand streaming is a better fit for you depends on your watching preferences. Since streaming is flexible, you can pick, combine, or switch your services easily. When you stream, you choose!

What You Can Watch

If sports, news, and local channels are important to you, consider a live streaming service. Most live streaming providers will have at least some access to live sports, including local sports channels, plus your local news networks.

However, if you’re a movie buff who wants your home to feel like the cinema, on-demand streaming is where you’ll find a greater variety of films. Many video streaming services offer a large library and high-quality audio and visuals.

Both live and on-demand streaming services carry television series, but their availability will differ. Current shows aired by networks like CBS or ABC are usually aired first on live television, then moved to on-demand streaming. But on-demand providers also have their own exclusive shows (and movies) you can only watch on their platforms.

When You Can Watch

Most live streaming services offer unlimited cloud digital video recording (DVR) so you can record live programming to watch later. On-demand streaming is available any time, so there’s no need for a DVR.

Let SRT Help

SRT can walk you through and help you find exactly what you want based on your preferences. We can also offer you a free in-home setup of the TV streaming service you’d like. We’d do all the work and all you have to do is enjoy watching your favorites.

To get started, click Find Your Streaming Service with SRT Communications or call us at 701-858-1200 for a free streaming checkup.

NEXT UP: We’ll talk more about how to choose your streaming services in our next streaming blog post.

Streaming is designed to be portable and flexible so you can watch exactly what you want, when you want. You only need three things to start streaming your favorite movies, shows, and sports, and you might already have one or two of them.

First, get a high-speed internet connection. You need a home internet connection before you can stream, which you likely already have. But make sure your speed is fast enough to ensure smooth streaming. You’ll want to consider a few things about your home, such as how many people are in your household and how many devices you have online at one time. Keep in mind that if everyone in your home is streaming, you might need a faster Internet connection. SRT has high-speed fiber packages to fit your budget and lifestyle, and we can help you determine the best speed for you.

Next, pick a device to stream on such as a Roku, or a smart TV. Most new TVs are smart and streaming-ready, so you might already have streaming apps built-in. But you don’t have to buy a new TV if your current set isn’t “smart.” You can use a device like a Roku, Amazon Fire TV, or Apple TV to connect to your TV and access streaming apps. These devices are relatively inexpensive and are a one-time cost rather than a monthly rental fee. Another option is to use a game console. PlayStation and Xbox, for example, can also function as streaming devices.

Finally, select your streaming services that offer what you want to watch. Services include on-demand options such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, or Max (formerly HBO Max). You also have live stream options such as HULU + Live TV, YouTube TV, or DirectTV Stream, that function more like traditional cable but with more options like searching, creating your own watch list, and sorting your channel lineup. More to come on the difference between live and on-demand streaming in our next blog post.

Remember, you don’t have to purchase TV and internet from the same provider. Streaming lets you start with your Internet connection and then select the streaming you want. There is no need for a traditional TV package that locks you into a bunch of channels you don’t watch. You have more control!

SRT can walk you through your options and help you get exactly what you want based on your preferences. We can also offer you a free in-home setup of the TV streaming service you’d like. We’d do all the work and all you have to do is enjoy watching your favorite programming.

To get started, click Find Your Streaming Service with SRT Communications or call us at 701-858-1200 for a free streaming checkup.

NEXT UP: We’ll talk more about live vs. on-demand streaming.

You can drop the set top box and oversized TV package next time you settle in to watch your favorite show. Streaming through your TV offers a great experience without the hassles of traditional cable.

In the past few years streaming has become more and more popular. The latest research shows that 56 million (46%) of U.S. households with internet are “cord cutters” who have left traditional cable, which points to the popularity of streaming video services. In addition, 12% of U.S. households with internet are “cord nevers” who have never subscribed to any sort of traditional pay TV.

But why?

Streaming offers more choice: No more being forced into a pre-determined channel package filled with many you don’t even watch. With streaming, you can choose the services that offer the channels and programs you actually want to watch! In addition to live TV, you can access low-cost or free services that offer movies, shows, and documentaries that match your interests. Plus, you can record programming in your own personalized library to watch later, and access movies and shows on demand (when you want).

Streaming is portable: Stream whatever you want, whenever you want. You can take streaming with you instead of being tied to your living room. Feel free to watch on your TV, but you can also stream from your computer, smartphone, tablet, or gaming console, giving you the freedom to watch on the go or curled up on the couch.

Streaming is flexible: Streaming offers variety, including live sports and news, without the need for a long-term commitment. The vast majority of streaming services have no contracts. You can sign up for one month and cancel the next if you don’t like it anymore, if your favorite show ends, or if something new comes along. If you watch less TV in the summer, you can drop the service and pick it back up in the winter.

Streaming is simple: You can leave behind the set-top box and equipment rental fees. All you need is your Internet connection and a simple device (which we’ll review in our next streaming blog post) to enjoy all your favorite programming, live or on demand. Streaming devices are relatively cheap and you don’t have to pay the cable company every month to rent one!

In short, while traditional TV offers restrictions, streaming offers freedom and control. You can enjoy the same programming and channels you’re used to without equipment rentals, a bunch of channels you don’t watch (but do pay for), and the limitation of only at home.

SRT can walk you through your options and help you get exactly what you want based on your preferences. We can also offer you a free in-home setup of the TV streaming service you’d like. We’d do all the work and all you have to do is enjoy watching your favorite programming.

To get started, click Find Your Streaming Service with SRT Communications or call us at 701-858-1200 for a free streaming checkup.

NEXT UP: We’ll explain how to stream in our next streaming blog post.

Streaming may sound mysterious or complicated, but at its heart, it’s simply a new, improved way to enjoy one of our favorite past-times: watching TV. As technology often does, it adds to your experience with a familiar activity.

Look at cell phones, for example. They have evolved from big boxy things with a coiled car charger, to a rad flip phone, to the smart phones we use today. Essentially a little computer in your hand that can do just about anything. But you can still count on it for a good old-fashioned phone call (or text!) to mom. You can just do a lot of other stuff, too.

The same is true for TV. The old cable box is giving way to online streaming, but you’re still breaking out the popcorn to enjoy a fun movie with your family. Watching TV is still watching TV. You can just do a lot of other stuff, too – such as searching, creating your own watch list, sorting your channel lineup, and more.

Today you have more options and more control over your viewing experience, all thanks to streaming.

Streaming in a Nutshell

Put simply, streaming is when you watch or listen to media content over your internet connection instead of through a cable box or satellite dish. If you watch a movie on Netflix, or listen to music or a podcast on Spotify, you are streaming.

Streaming can be “live” like what you might be accustomed to with cable TV – when you tune in to watch a show scheduled in the TV guide. An example of a live streaming service would be YouTube TV. Or streaming can be “on demand” – when you select any movie or show you want to watch now from a service like Netflix.

No Need to Download

With streaming, the media file you’re watching or listening to is stored remotely (not on your own device) and is transmitted a little at a time over your SRT Internet connection. Streaming happens in real-time, while you’re watching your program, and is more efficient than downloading media files.

When you download a video, a copy of the whole file is saved locally on your device. You can’t play the video until the download is complete. That takes time and storage space. However, when you stream, you can play the video without saving it to your device.

The Nuts and Bolts (and Packets) of Streaming

Video data travels over the Internet as little “packets.” Each packet contains a small piece of the video, which your device receives continuously. Once the packets reach your device, your media player turns them back into video.  

What do these tiny packets add up to? When you sit down to watch the latest Stranger Things season or a true crime documentary, it will play instantly without interruption. And you’ll be too busy enjoying your show to be thinking about data packets!

It’s All About Your Experience

The key to streaming is having a good Internet connection and solid Whole Home WiFi. From there, it’s pure entertainment! With your reliable SRT Internet, you can stream your favorite TV channels, shows, movies, documentaries, and more – live or on demand. You won’t need a set top box anymore to watch endless content from services such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, or Max.

SRT can walk you through your options and help you get exactly what you want based on your preferences. We can also offer you a free in-home setup of the TV streaming service you’d like. We’d do all the work and all you have to do is enjoy watching your favorite programming.

To get started, click Find Your Streaming Service with SRT Communications or call us at 701-858-1200 for a free streaming checkup.

NEXT UP: We’ll share the benefits of streaming in our next streaming blog post.