Timeshift describes viewing a programme at a different time from its current live position. Depending on the system, this can involve pausing buffered live content, a local recording or a server-provided archive. These arrangements have different limits, so a player's pause button does not establish a universal ability to rewind every live stream.
A practical example
A player may let a viewer pause for a short break using content already buffered or stored. Returning after a long interruption can exceed that available material, requiring a jump forward or a separate replay facility if one exists.
A common misunderstanding
Pause, rewind, recording and catch-up are not interchangeable promises. Find out which mechanism the actual player and source support before relying on it for a programme you cannot miss.
Related terms
Stable technical definition. Editorial approach