Combining network and client based adaptive streaming approaches enable a distributed and adaptive resource management system for carrier quality video transmission over cable Wi-Fi systems. The adaptive resource management over cable Wi-Fi heterogeneous networks includes a network based approach using client based feedback. The resource management of a video stream is performed on a service providers network, for example in a cable modem termination system, by evaluating a margin and a fairness index. In embodiments, the rate of a video stream to a requesting client is adjusted and, in embodiments, the rate of a video stream for non-requesting clients is adjusted. Embodiments include mechanisms for call admission control and adaptive streaming based on adjustable resource margins and fairness indices for DOCSIS and Wi-Fi hetnet systems.