In one embodiment, a system is described, having a processor to receive a request for download of a high priority adaptive bitrate (ABR) content item which is available for download at a higher bit rate and a lower bit rate, and a request for a download of a low priority ABR content item, which is also available for download at a higher bit rate and a lower bit rate. A byte acquisition scheduler determines a required bandwidth to download the high priority ABR content item without adapting to the lower bit rate, and determines a remaining bandwidth to download the low priority ABR content item. A download interface interfaces with an ABR server, downloads the high priority ABR content item and the low priority ABR content item, and allocates at least the required bandwidth and up to the remaining bandwidth. Related systems, apparatuses and methods are also described.