Techniques and mechanisms described herein facilitate the delivery of prioritized side channel data to a client machine. According to various embodiments, base layer data may be transmitted to the client machine. The base layer data may include a plurality of base layer data segments. The base layer data segments may be capable of being used to present a media content item at a first quality level. Side channel data may be transmitted to the client machine. The side channel data may include a plurality of side channel data segments. Each side channel data segment may correspond with a base layer data segment. The side channel data segments may be capable of being combined with the corresponding base layer data segments to present the media content item at second quality level. The second quality level may be being greater than the first quality level.