Stramming

Stramming is a neologism used in online media discourse to describe the practice of broadcasting a single live stream across multiple platforms at roughly the same time, creating a unified viewing experience across services. Proponents describe stramming as a form of simulcasting tailored to audiences who use different platforms, while critics warn of potential policy and copyright risks.

The term emerged in creator communities in the 2010s and 2020s, with usage concentrated in live-streaming contexts. Its etymology is not fixed; it is commonly interpreted as a blend of stream and the English gerund suffix, and is often discussed alongside related terms such as simulcasting and restreaming.

Practically, stramming relies on software or services that ingest a stream and redistribute it to multiple destinations while attempting to synchronize timing, titles, and chat. Creators may adapt chat, overlays, and metadata to suit all platforms, and may manage revenue considerations across platforms, sponsor requirements, and audience interaction.

Reception ranges from pragmatic acceptance among multi-platform creators to concerns about platform terms of service, copyright restrictions, audience fragmentation, and potential brand inconsistency. Some platforms discourage simultaneous streams to avoid traffic cannibalization or policy violations, while others explicitly permit restreaming with proper attribution.

Related concepts include simulcasting, restreaming, cross-posting, and multi-platform streaming. Stramming is regarded as a niche practice with varying definitions and evolving norms depending on platform policy and creator goals.