timeshifting

Timeshifting is the storage and later playback of television content that has been broadcast live or near live, allowing viewers to watch it at a different time. It is commonly enabled by digital video recorders (DVRs) or personal video recorders (PVRs), set-top boxes with hard drives, or cloud‑based services, as well as by streaming platforms that offer catch-up TV or on-demand libraries. In traditional broadcasting, timeshifting has also been implemented through dedicated time-shifted channels that rebroadcast the same content with a fixed delay, such as a +1 channel.

How it works: The device records an ongoing program to storage; the viewer can pause, rewind, or resume later. In some cases, time-shifted viewing is server-side, where the platform stores a copy of the program and streams it on demand, with users controlling playback.

Advantages and limitations: Timeshifting offers convenience, control, and the ability to resume viewing after interruptions. It can also enable ad-skipping or reordering of commercials on some platforms, depending on licensing and broadcast models. Licensing and rights restrictions may limit timeshifted viewing in certain regions or for certain programs, and some broadcasters require real-time ad viewing. Cloud-based timeshifting raises privacy and data-use considerations.

See also: DVR, PVR, catch-up TV, time-shifted channels.