System and method for client-initiated playlist shuffle in a media content environment

A method for client-initiated playlist shuffle in a media content environment that provides a shuffle order for a plurality of media content items, comprising:

• associating each media content item with a placement interval within which the media content item can be placed, and a weight that determines the average position of the placement interval;
• associating each media content item with a random value that indicates a random offset or position within its placement interval;
• calculating an ordering score for each media content item based on its weight plus its random offset into its placement interval;
• collecting indications for the plurality of media content item that reflect their ordering scores;
• and
• placing the plurality of media content items into a shuffle order, for subsequent playback by a media device.

A non-transitory computer readable storage medium, including instructions stored thereon which when read and executed by a device that includes a processor, provide a shuffle order for a plurality of media content items, comprising:

• associating each media content item with a placement interval within which the media content item can be placed, and a weight that determines the average position of the placement interval;
• associating each media content item with a random value that indicates a random offset or position within its placement interval;
• calculating an ordering score for each media content item based on its weight plus its random offset into its placement interval;
• collecting indications for the plurality of media content item that reflect their ordering scores;
• and
• placing the plurality of media content items into a shuffle order, for subsequent playback by a media device.