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September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
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How It Works • Streaming

Livestream

Livestreaming is the real-time transmission of audio or video over the internet, allowing audiences to watch an event as it happens.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

Livestreaming is the real-time transmission of audio or video over the internet, allowing audiences to watch an event as it happens. It is used for entertainment, news, sports, gaming, conferences, and other live events, often with interactive features such as chat.

What it is

Livestreaming is a form of internet broadcasting where audio or video is transmitted as it happens. Unlike video-on-demand, the content is not prerecorded for later playback before transmission. It allows viewers to watch events in real time.

Why it matters

Livestreaming is widely used for professional sports, concerts, conferences, webinars, gaming, and social media events. It enables real-time audience interaction through live chat or other messaging tools, making it distinct from prerecorded video. In Canada, it is especially important for connecting geographically dispersed audiences.

Key details

The term 'livestream' can be used as a noun, verb, or adjective. Common variants include live stream, live-stream, and live streaming. Livestreaming relies on streaming media technology to deliver content in real time.

In short

  • Livestreaming is real-time media transmission over the internet.
  • It differs from video-on-demand because it is not prerecorded.
  • Common uses include sports, concerts, gaming, conferences, and webinars.
  • Livestreams often include audience interaction via chat.
Canadian angle

Livestreaming is widely used in Canada for news coverage, sports, education, government communications, concerts, and community events, especially where audiences are geographically dispersed.

Quick questions

What is a livestream?
A livestream is a real-time online broadcast of audio or video that people can watch while it is happening.
How is livestreaming different from video-on-demand?
Livestreaming is transmitted as the event occurs, while video-on-demand is prerecorded and stored for later viewing.
What is livestreaming used for?
It is commonly used for sports, concerts, conferences, webinars, gaming, news, and social media events.

Sources

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannicahttps://www.britannica.com/technology/livestreaming
    Supports: Definition of livestreaming as real-time internet transmission and common uses such as sports, conferences, and gaming.
  2. Merriam-Websterhttps://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/live%20stream
    Supports: Dictionary definition of live stream as a broadcast over the internet for live viewing and as a verb meaning to broadcast live online.
  3. Cambridge Dictionaryhttps://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/livestream
    Supports: Definition of livestream as broadcasting video and sound of an event over the internet as it happens.
  4. Dictionary.comhttps://www.dictionary.com/browse/livestream
    Supports: Definitions of livestream as a verb and noun, plus note on live-stream spelling.
  5. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Live_streaming
    Supports: General overview of live streaming, common distinctions from prerecorded streaming, and examples of uses.