Systems and methods for combining streaming media content items for
streaming to a client computer across a network are described. In one
aspect, a playlist is maintained on a server computer. The playlist
includes at least one reference to a streaming media content item and at
least one placeholder. A request for a requested streaming media content
item is received at the server computer from a client computer over a
network. The server computer modifies the playlist to create a modified
playlist by replacing at least one placeholder with a reference to a
streaming media content item. This is accomplished such that the modified
playlist includes at least one reference to the requested streaming media
content item and at least one reference to at least one further streaming
media content item. The streaming media content items referenced by the
modified playlist are provided to the client computer over the network.