HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) is an HTTP-based adaptive bitrate streaming protocol developed by Apple Inc. It allows for the delivery of live and on-demand content by breaking the media into small segments and serving them over HTTP. HLS supports encryption and secure key distribution, providing a simple DRM system. It is widely supported across various devices and platforms, making it a popular choice for streaming media content. HLS enables adaptive bitrate streaming, adjusting the quality of the stream based on network conditions and device capabilities to provide a seamless viewing experience.