Streaming
Streaming means playing audio over the internet as it arrives, without downloading the whole file first.
Streaming is playing sound over the internet while it arrives. The device receives a continuous flow of data, plays it at once and keeps only a short buffer.
Live radio streams work this way. The public broadcasters offer their stations as streams, and a phone, a computer or a network radio can play them. Podcasts and on-demand programmes are often streamed too.
Streaming needs a working connection and uses data, so mobile listening can add to a mobile plan. A DAB+ radio uses no data at all. If the internet drops, a stream stops, while DAB+ continues as long as the signal reaches the radio.