Method and apparatus for streaming media content to client devices

A system for providing media segments from multiple variant streams, the system comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by the processor to perform steps of:
• providing, to a client device, a variant playlist file that identifies a plurality of variant streams each corresponding to a different encoding of a same media presentation;
• tracking a first set of media segments that correspond to a first playlist file for a first variant stream associated with the variant playlist file, the first set of media segments being encoded at a first encoded bitrate;
• responsive to a second encoded bitrate associated with a second set of media segments that correspond to a second variant stream being higher than the first encoded bitrate:
• determining, based on an amount of network bandwidth available for a client device, a number of media segments to include in a plurality of media segments from the second set of media segments that correspond to the first set of media segments;
• and
• providing, to the client device, a second playlist file that identifies a plurality of media segments from the second set of media segments that correspond to respective ones of the first set of media segments.