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How has streaming changed when and where people watch television programs and films?

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The first-generation Apple iPhone — media convergence In addition to functioning as a cell phone, Apple's touchscreen iPhone, released in 2007, has a built-in Web browser for viewing Internet content over wireless telephone networks and Wi-Fi connections. The iPhone also can be used as a multimedia playback device for listening to music or viewing videos.

In the context of media convergence, streaming has fundamentally transformed television and film consumption by uncoupling content from specific devices and rigid broadcast schedules.12

Changes in When People Watch

Streaming has shifted viewing from schedule-driven models to video-on-demand (VOD), allowing users to access content at any time. This flexibility enabled the rise of "binge-watching," where viewers consume multiple episodes of a series in a single sitting, a behavior popularized by services like Netflix. While some services have recently returned to weekly releases—a practice sometimes called "stinge-watching"—the overall trend remains centered on user-controlled timing.3456

Changes in Where People Watch

Streaming technology has made media portable and accessible across various platforms, including personal computers, mobile devices, and television sets. By utilizing adaptive bitrate streaming, services can deliver high-quality content even as users move between different network environments. This shift has empowered viewers to "cut the cord," rejecting traditional cable television in favor of Internet-based delivery, effectively turning the home into a personalized exhibition venue.3478