I'm using "static file" to mean something pre-recorded that even if users will view in order, they will likely start at different times, so different users will be viewing different parts of it.

In contrast to a live stream where everyone is viewing the same part at the same time, and once that part passes nobody is likely to view the old part ever again.

This makes a big difference in terms of network design.

yes so makes no difference if it is file "without end" (pipe essentially) or bunch of TS files.