A technology that is operable to authenticate content access for dynamic adaptive streaming over hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) (DASH) is disclosed. In one embodiment, a client device is configured with circuitry to communicate, to a content server, a request for a media presentation description (MPD). An MPD message is received from the content server indicating one or more content authorization elements to access content at the content server. A request for authorization of the client device to access content at the content server is communicated to an authorization server, when the client device is configured to perform the content authorization elements in the MPD message. An authorization message is received from the authorization server. A content request message requesting one or more DASH segments is communicated to the content server.