Adaptive bit-rate methods for live broadcasting

A device for streaming live media content, the device comprising:

• a memory that includes instructions for maintaining continuity of a live media stream, wherein the instructions, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:
• obtain a live media stream including a first distribution layer, wherein the first distribution layer includes a first set of key frames and, for each of a plurality of key frames in the first set of key frames, a first set of delta frames succeeding the key frame until a next key frame in the first set of key frames;
• receive an indication to change a rendering of the live media stream by a client device;
• generate a second distribution layer of the live media stream to the client device, the second distribution layer including a second set of key frames and, for each of a plurality of key frames in the second set of key frames, a second set of delta frames succeeding the key frame, wherein the second set of key frames contains fewer key frames than the first set of key frames;
• and
• communicate the live media stream including the second distribution layer to the client device.

A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing computer program instructions, the computer program instructions when executed by a processor causing the processor to:

• obtain a live media stream including a first distribution layer, wherein the first distribution layer includes a first set of key frames and, for each of a plurality of key frames in the first set of key frames, a first set of delta frames succeeding the key frame until a next key frame in the first set of key frames;
• receive an indication to change a rendering of the live media stream by a client device;
• and
• responsive to receiving the indication, communicate a second distribution layer of the live media stream to the client device, the second distribution layer including a second set of key frames and, for each of a plurality of key frames in the second set of key frames, a second set of delta frames succeeding the key frame, wherein the second set of key frames contains fewer key frames than the first set of key frames, and wherein a selected key frame in the second set of key frames enables the client device to switch from rendering one of the first set of delta frames of the first distribution layer to rendering the second distribution layer beginning at the selected key frame.