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September 2026#

Low Latency Live Streaming: WebRTC vs. HLS and DASH (Part 1)

A split-screen graphic comparing a near-instant video call with a delayed live broadcast A split-screen graphic comparing a near-instant video call with a delayed live broadcast

When Spain was playing the World Cup, we noticed something annoying. We celebrated each of Spain's scores by shouting "GOOOOOL", 15 seconds before our neighbors saw the goal on their TV. Obviously, we ruined their experience watching the game, so much that they asked us where we were watching it from to avoid the gap. Now picture that same 15-second gap on a live shopping stream where you're typing "does it come in blue?", or in a video call where you keep talking over the other person because their audio hasn't reached you yet. That's the difference between "live" and low latency live streaming.