Digital distribution (also called
content delivery,
online distribution, or
electronic software distribution (
ESD), among others) is the delivery or distribution of
media content such as
audio,
video,
software and
video games. The term is generally used to describe distribution over an online delivery medium, such as the
Internet, thus bypassing physical distribution methods, such as
paper,
compact discs, and
DVDs. The term online distribution is typically applied to freestanding products; downloadable add-ons for other products are more commonly known as
downloadable content. With the advancement of network bandwidth capabilities, online distribution became prominent in the 2000s.