Streaming media delivers multimedia content over a network for real-time playback, fundamentally differing from traditional file downloading where the entire file must be acquired before consumption. Initially popularized by companies like RealNetworks and Microsoft in the 1990s, this method has evolved to become the globally dominant way to consume music and videos, with numerous competing subscription services emerging since the 2010s. Beyond common uses like video-on-demand and music services, streaming also encompasses live content delivery, offline media sharing between devices, and even "streaming text" such as closed captions.

While commonplace today, the underlying concept boasts intriguing precursors dating back to the late 19th century. Notable examples include the Théâtrophone (1881-1932), which transmitted live opera and theatre performances over telephone lines, and the "Telephone Music Service" (1929-1997), a unique live jukebox system where operators played requested records over phone lines to businesses.