The number of video streams increased 80.7 percent in 2004, for a total of 14.2 billion streams, according to AccuStream iMedia Research. Broadband connections (defined as 100 Kbps or higher) accounted for 79.3 percent of that volume. Narrowband connections, for their part, accounted for the remaining 20.7 percent, the bulk of it over AOL, which continues to offer 40 percent of its streaming content at narrowband bit rates, said Paul Palumbo, AccuStream's research director.

Palumbo attributes this growth to four primary factors: continued growth in broadband penetration in the U.S. and worldwide; popularity of streaming media in office environments; more ad-supported broadband content; and media players that queue files for auto-play.

Robust growth is projected to continue in 2005, with a total of 21 billion streams (up 48 percent year over year) forecast for 2005. By 2007, the annual volume of video streams is projected to exceed 35 billion.

Music videos accounted for the largest share of streaming video usage in 2004, with 34 percent of total views. News and information was second, with 20 percent of total streams. Third was the sports category, accounting for approximately 15 percent of total views.