Transmission Control Protocol supplies applications with an ordered, reliable byte stream between endpoints. It detects missing data and uses retransmission and flow-control mechanisms as part of delivery. Many web-based streaming requests use TCP, but the application above it still decides what content to request and how much media to buffer.
A practical example
When a media download loses a piece of data, TCP can arrange for missing bytes to be sent again before the application receives the complete ordered stream. Playback may continue from buffered content while that recovery happens.
A common misunderstanding
Reliable delivery does not guarantee uninterrupted viewing. Recovery takes time, and a small playback buffer can empty when network delays or repeated losses prevent media arriving quickly enough.
Related terms
Further reading
Stable technical definition. Editorial approach