Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, embodiments include obtaining a first estimated bandwidth capacity of a communication network and selecting a target buffer level to temporarily store media content. Further embodiments include requesting a first portion of the media content according to the first estimated bandwidth capacity and the target buffer level and receiving the first portion of the media content. Additional embodiments include determining a current buffer level and receiving a second estimated bandwidth capacity of the communication network. Also, embodiments include requesting a second portion of the media content according to the current buffer level and the second estimated bandwidth capacity. Other embodiments are disclosed.