As mentioned above, some exemplary embodiments may relate to the HLS protocol. The HLS protocol for a VOD stream may require that the program content and the dynamic content (e.g., video advertisements, etc.) are known before playback of the VOD stream may begin at the user device. To provide an example within the context of the video stream 102, the streaming service may select dynamic content (e.g., video advertisements, etc.) for the DCIOs 110, 120, 130 and incorporate the dynamic content into the video stream 102 before playback of the video stream 102 may begin at the user device.

In contrast to the HLS protocol for the VOD stream, the HLS protocol for an event stream may grow incrementally. For instance, a first portion of the video stream 102 may be sent to the user device 210 at a first time. Subsequently, a second portion of the video stream 102 that includes more than the first portion of the video stream 102 may be sent at a second time. Further portions of the video stream 102 may be provided in this manner in accordance with the HLS protocol for the event stream. As will be described below, the exemplary embodiments may provide VOD content in accordance with both the HLS protocol for VOD streams and the HLS protocol for event streams. Since HLS protocol for event streams do not require more than a portion of the video stream to be known before playback can begin, the process of fetching and incorporating dynamic content (e.g., video advertisements, etc.) into the video stream may be performed after playback begins. Thus, by utilizing HLS protocol for event streams to provide at least a portion of VOD content, the streaming service 220 may provide fast video stream startup at the user device 210 and comply with HLS protocols.