What term describes receiving programming through the internet?

The term that describes receiving programming through the internet is streaming. Streaming refers to the process of transmitting or receiving data (typically audio or video) continuously over the internet, allowing users to watch or listen to content in real-time without needing to download the entire file first. This method has become increasingly popular with the advent of services like Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube, facilitating instant access to a wide range of media.

In contrast, downloading involves saving a file to your device so that you can access it later, which differs from the immediate consumption characteristic of streaming. Broadcasting usually refers to traditional radio or television signals transmitted over the airwaves rather than the internet. Caching is a technique used to store certain data temporarily for faster access but does not specifically pertain to the immediate consumption of programming online. Therefore, streaming accurately captures the essence of receiving programming directly over the internet.