A method and apparatus for streaming media content to a client device includes a server providing, for the client device, a variant playlist file that identifies a plurality of variant streams having different encoded bitrates; tracking sequence numbers of a first set of media segments downloaded by the client device from a first playlist file that corresponds to the first variant stream encoded at a first bitrate; receiving, from the client device, a request for a second playlist file that identifies a second set of media segments from a second variant stream encoded at a second bitrate; determining whether to identify, in the second playlist file, at least one media segment in the second set of media segments that has a same sequence number as any of the media segments, from the first variant stream, downloaded by the client device; and providing, to the client device, the second playlist file.