Synchronizing buffer map offset in peer-to-peer live media streaming systems

A method performed by a new joining peer device in a peer-to-peer (P2P) network comprises receiving a plurality of buffer maps, each of the received buffer maps associated with a respective other peer device in the P2P network. The method also includes discerning playback positions associated with the received buffer maps, generating a starting offset for the new joining peer using one or more of the discerned playback positions. Requests for portions of a media stream are scheduled in accordance with the starting offset, and the scheduler will build a buffer map from this offset and begin to request the media buffer.