broadcastswhile

Broadcastswhile is a term used in live broadcasting and streaming to describe a workflow pattern in which multiple outputs are produced and transmitted concurrently from a single source. The term combines broadcast with a programming-style control construct, implying continuous operation as long as input is available. There is no formal standard for broadcastswhile, but it appears in vendor documentation and practitioner discussions as a way to describe parallel distribution logic.

In practical terms, a broadcastswhile workflow orchestrates a set of output streams (for example, to different protocols or platforms) and feeds them from a single input. Implementations often use a loop or event-driven loop that, for each available frame or segment, forwards content to multiple destinations and monitors quality. The approach emphasizes synchronization and consistent timing across outputs, while allowing runtime adjustments to bitrate or resolution.

Applications include live events and sports, multi-platform streaming, and broadcasting workflows that must reach several endpoints simultaneously, such as internal CDN simulcast, social media, and partner channels.

Benefits include reduced latency between sources and outputs, cohesive multi-destination distribution, and simpler orchestration in complex pipelines. Drawbacks include increased resource usage, potential drift between streams, and debugging complexity when one destination diverges from others.

Related topics include multicast, live streaming, broadcasting pipelines, and common protocols such as RTMP, HLS, and DASH. The term remains informal and primarily encountered in practical guides rather than formal standards.