Latency
technologyThe delay between a request and the streaming service responding with content.
Explanation
In streaming, latency refers to the delay between a viewer action (like pressing play or seeking to a new time) and the content starting to play. High latency causes frustrating delays. For live streaming, latency measures the delay between a real event and when viewers see it. CDNs and adaptive bitrate help minimize latency.
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Last updated: March 2026