Many cable television and satellite channels now broadcast continuous sports coverage and many other live sporting events from around the globe. To supplement regulated streaming broadcasts by legitimate providers, individuals are utilizing their own broadband connection to the Internet to re-broadcast television network programming and pay-per-view programming.
Web sites such as JustinTV (www.justin.tv) provide a web based means to view streaming programming via your web browser and the Macromedia (Adobe) Flash plugin. However, the streams are frequently shut down by authorities regulating the re-broadcast of licensed televised events. Pay-per-view and sporting events are typically blocked from this and most other high profile web sites offering streaming television over the Internet.
Certain software has been developed to allow the reception of streamed television content over the Internet. Some of the software utilizes a P2P (peer-to-peer) networking technology which makes it much more difficult for copyright holders to block content. Via these applications individuals are able to receive and view televised events, often for free.