A media distribution system that includes a media content provider, a relay device, a data communications network, and multiple media playback devices that each have distinct device-dependent media playback capabilities. The relay device receives a media content from the media content provider over a remote portion of the data communications network, and in response to a received instruction from either the media content provider or a local media playback device, the relay device determines whether or not to reformat the received media content to be compatible with one or more media playback devices. After the reformatting determination and instruction processing, the relay device transfers the media content to designated media playback devices over a local portion of the data communications network.