Streaming TV glossary: 40 terms in plain English

ABR (adaptive bitrate): the stream automatically lowers or raises quality to match your connection speed. Bitrate: the amount of data per second; higher usually means a better picture.

Buffering: the pause while your device waits for more data. Latency or stream delay: how far behind a live broadcast your stream runs.

Carriage fee: what a distributor pays networks to carry their channels. Cord cutter: someone who cancelled cable or satellite. Cord never: someone who never had it.

DRM (digital rights management): the copy protection that limits where streams can play. EPG: electronic program guide, the channel grid.

FAST: free ad-supported streaming TV. HDR: high dynamic range, a wider range of brightness and colour. M3U: a playlist file format often associated with unlicensed IPTV.

OTA: over-the-air antenna broadcasts. RSN: regional sports network. SVOD/AVOD: subscription or ad-supported video on demand. vMVPD: an internet-delivered live TV bundle. Zap time: how long it takes to switch channels.