The Real-Time Messaging Protocol (RTMP) is a communication protocol primarily used for streaming audio, video, and data over the internet. Developed by Adobe, RTMP enables low-latency transmission, making it ideal for live broadcasts and interactive applications. It works by establishing a persistent connection between the client and server, allowing for continuous data flow. RTMP supports various codecs and can transmit content in different formats, including H.264 for video and AAC for audio. While it was widely used for streaming to platforms like YouTube and Twitch, its usage has declined with the rise of newer protocols like HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) and Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (DASH).