Systems and methods for distributing network traffic during streaming are hereby provided. A server can provide a first content pod to a client device for insertion in a content break separating a first portion and a second portion of the streaming content. The server can receive, from the client device during playback of the first content pod, a request for content to insert into the content break for playback subsequent to playback of the first content pod. The request for content can be generated at a first elapsed time from initiation of playback of the first content pod via a request generation policy. The server can select a second content pod. The server can provide the second content pod to the client device during the playback of the first content pod for playback subsequent to completion of the playback of the first content pod.