Methods and systems for hybrid push-based media streaming of encoded video (or media) content grouped into video segment (or chunk) files to one or more user devices are described, where push notices are provided from a manifest server to subscribing user devices over a persistent low bandwidth connection when the video segment files are ready to be viewed. The video segment files may be downloaded by the user devices from segment servers to the user devices via a separate HTTP high bandwidth streaming connection, or other form of separate connection. In addition, unique, personalized, or additional content may be inserted in the push notices and viewed by the user devices without impacting video playback performance.