---
title: Channels, streams & lists
slug: concepts
eyebrow: Core concepts
nav_group: Core concepts
nav_label: Channels, streams & lists
nav_order: 70
---

# Channels, streams & lists

Three object types organize the entire API.

## Channel {#channel}

A dedicated account on a streaming platform tied to a person or company — for example [xQc](https://streamscharts.com/channels/xqc), [ibai](https://streamscharts.com/channels/ibai), or [BLASTPremier](https://streamscharts.com/channels/blastpremier). Channel endpoints aggregate metrics over a time window. See [Channels](/api/docs/channels).

## Stream {#stream}

A single broadcast, also called a stream. Stream endpoints return metrics for one specific broadcast, optionally narrowed to a slice of its runtime. See [Streams](/api/docs/streams).

## Game / category {#game-category}

A game or category streamed on a platform — for example [League of Legends](https://streamscharts.com/channels?game=league-of-legends) or Just Chatting. Game endpoints aggregate viewership and channel counts over a time window, individually or as a ranked list. See [Games](/api/docs/games).

## Live snapshot {#live-snapshot}

A real-time list of every channel broadcasting right now across every platform in the API, refreshed every 5 minutes. Unlike aggregated lists, it reflects the current moment rather than a time window. See [Live](/api/docs/live).

## List of channels {#list-of-channels}

A ranked, filterable collection of channels — sorted by a metric (Hours Watched, Followers Gain, Subscribers, Bits…) and narrowed by filters (game, language, country, and more). Lists are how you discover creators rather than monitor a known one. See [Lists](/api/docs/lists).