System and method for managing abr bitrate delivery responsive to video buffer characteristics of a client

An apparatus configured to operate as an adaptive bitrate (ABR) delivery server for managing delivery of segmented media content in an ABR network, the apparatus comprising:

• at least one processor;
• a client buffer database for storing video buffer characteristics of one or more client devices operative to receive segmented media content in respective streaming sessions;
• and
• a persistent memory module coupled to the at least one processor, wherein the persistent memory module includes program instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, are configured to perform:
• learning video buffer characteristics of a client device's media player in a streaming session pursuant to a media request therefor;
• storing the learned video buffer characteristics in the client buffer database;
• modifying manifest files of the segmented media content requested by the client device to include metadata information of media segments encoded at a particular single bitrate and removing metadata information pertaining to media segments encoded at other bitrates, wherein the particular single bitrate is selected based at least in part upon the video buffer characteristics of the client device's media player;
• and
• providing the modified manifest files to the client device responsive to monitoring the video buffer characteristics of the media player during the streaming session.