Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method in which a processing system of a media server determines a number of media content playout periods in a media program to be presented at a client device, obtains a media content item for presentation during a playout period, and transmits the media content item for storage in a client device cache prior to presentation of the media program. The method also includes transmitting to the client device a time stamp associated with the transmitting of the media content item, and transmitting an instruction to the client device to perform buffering of streaming media during the playout period. The client device also transmits a first message indicating that the transmitting of the media content item has been performed, and a second message indicating that the presenting of the media content item has been completed. Other embodiments are disclosed.