A video transmitter can adaptively alter its transmission rate to plural receivers which receive video via multicast transmission. While the transmitter is initially in the “no tuning state”, the need for a video tune-up state change can be determined. If so, then the state can be set to “tuning up” and the retransmission rate can be increased. However, if “tuning-up” is no longer required, the state returns to the “no tuning” state” Likewise, the need for a video tune down slate change can be determined and the retransmission rate can be decreased. However, if the state is set to “tuning down” and “tuning down” is no longer required, the state is set such that “tuning down” is no longer true and the state returns to the “no tuning” state.