Techniques are disclosed for synchronizing media rendering among a plurality of networked terminals. A first terminal may receive communication from another terminal that correlates a network time to a first portion of a media item to be rendered on the terminals. The terminals may identify, from the correlation of network time to the first portion of media and from a playback rate negotiated between the terminals, other portions of the media item to be rendered at other network times. The terminals each may render appropriate portions of the media item as network time progresses. The terminals also may exchange other data to alter playback modes during the course of a common rendering session.