Auxiliary audio transmission for preserving synchronized playout with paced-down video

A method implemented at a downstream network device, comprising:

• receiving at the network device a multiplex of compressed versions of a first video stream and a first audio stream, each corresponding to an audiovisual (A/V) program, the first video stream and the first audio stream each received at a first playout rate;
• receiving a compressed version of a second audio stream, the second audio stream received at a pitch-preserving, second playout rate different than the first playout rate;
• simultaneously presenting decoded versions of the first video stream and the second audio stream at the second playout rate for a first interval of time;
• and
• simultaneously presenting decoded versions of the first video stream and the first audio stream at the first playout rate for a second interval of time, the second interval of time immediately following the first interval of time.