What Is Streaming in Fantasy Sports?Beginner Guide + Examples
LeBron James celebrates during a Lakers game. Photo: Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times.
Fantasy Streaming
Streaming in fantasy sports means adding and dropping players frequently to maximize games played, matchups, or specific stats, usually using the waiver wire. Instead of holding the same bench players all season, you stream short-term players for a few days (or even one night) to gain an edge. For a step-by-step weekly plan, read how to stream effectively.
It is most common in fantasy basketball and fantasy hockey, where players have multiple games per week and schedules vary a lot.
Why Streaming Works
Fantasy leagues usually limit how many players you can start each day, how many adds and drops you can make per week, and sometimes how many games count for each position. Because of those limits, the goal is to use your moves in the smartest way possible. Streaming works because it helps you get more games played than your opponent, target specific categories like shots, hits, blocks, threes, and steals, take advantage of light nights when your lineup is not full, and cover injuries quickly without wasting a long-term roster spot.
Streaming vs. Holding: What is the Difference?
Holding means you keep a player long-term because you believe their season value is strong. Streaming means you pick up a player for short-term value because:
- they have a great schedule (more games, off-night games)
- they have a good matchup
- they are hot or moved into a better role (line 1, power play 1, etc.)
- your team needs specific stats this week
Hold for talent. Stream for schedule and role.
What Are Streamers?
A streamer is the short-term pickup you add specifically for streaming.
A good streamer usually checks at least one of these boxes:
- plays on light nights
- has a back-to-back
- has 4 games in the week (or 3 games with good off-night coverage)
- is getting more ice time/minutes lately
- contributes in categories that are hard to find on waivers
Utilizing Light Nights (The Secret to Streaming)
Streaming is easiest when your lineup is not full.
In basketball and hockey, some nights have a ton of games (your roster is packed), and some nights have fewer games.
- Heavy night: your starters are already playing - adding a player does not help much because you cannot start them.
- Off-night/light night: fewer games - you have empty lineup spots, so a streamer can actually get into your lineup.
That is why fantasy managers talk about off-night streamers: players who play on nights where you have room to start them.
Streaming in Points Leagues vs Category Leagues
Streaming in Points Leagues
- maximizing games played
- finding players with strong minutes/role
- targeting schedules (4-game weeks, back-to-backs)
Your goal is usually more total points.
Streaming in Category Leagues
- If you are down in hits, stream hitters.
- If you need blocks, stream shot blockers.
- If you need PPP, stream players on PP1/PP2.
- If you need SOG, target volume shooters.
Your goal is to win enough categories, not necessarily total stats.