Why is HTTP, good for requesting a file, insufficient for demanding ongoing streaming management?

HTTP is designed for one-shot actions (requesting a file), lacking ongoing management features like pause and seek.

HTTP excels at the fundamental task of requesting a resource—a definitive, one-time action to retrieve a file. However, streaming requires continuous interaction that goes beyond simple retrieval. The foundational insight mentioned is the necessity for a 'remote control' for the data pipe. HTTP lacks the native capability to reliably manage ongoing stream states such as pausing playback instantly, resuming precisely where left off, or seeking across large segments with immediate client feedback. This demand for session control—the ability to send persistent commands like play, pause, or seek—is why a specialized signaling protocol layer, rather than just HTTP itself, was necessitated to govern the continuous data flow.