A content providing system that includes a content distribution system and a plurality of content playback devices (3, 4), the content distribution system and each of the content playback devices (3, 4) being connected with each other via a network, the content distribution system distributing a video content in a streaming format, the content playback devices (3, 4) each playing back the video content while receiving the video content in the streaming format from the content distribution system, the content playback devices (3, 4) each comprising: a reception unit operable to receive, from the content distribution system, control information indicating a plurality of view modes selectable for viewing the video content; a presentation unit (86, 88) operable to present, to a user of the content playback device (3, 4), the view modes as options of a view mode for viewing the video content; an input reception unit operable to receive an input selecting one view mode among the view modes from the user; and a request unit operable to request the content distribution system to distribute the video content in the streaming format, by transmitting information indicating the selected view mode to the content distribution system; characterized in that in the case where, before the playback of the video content on a content playback device (3, 4), the video content has been viewed by the user in any other one of the content playback devices (3, 4) up to a certain point, the content distribution system stores therein a view mode used for viewing the video content on the other content playback device (3, 4), the reception unit further receives, from the content distribution system, information indicating the view mode that has been used for viewing the video content in the other content playback device (3, 4), and the presentation unit (86, 88) presents the view modes such that the view mode that has been used in the other content playback device (3, 4) is distinguishable from any other of the view modes. a reception unit operable to receive, from the content distribution system, control information indicating a plurality of view modes selectable for viewing the video content; a presentation unit (86, 88) operable to present, to a user of the content playback device (3, 4), the view modes as options of a view mode for viewing the video content; an input reception unit operable to receive an input selecting one view mode among the view modes from the user; and a request unit operable to request the content distribution system to distribute the video content in the streaming format, by transmitting information indicating the selected view mode to the content distribution system; characterized in that in the case where, before the playback of the video content on a content playback device (3, 4), the video content has been viewed by the user in any other one of the content playback devices (3, 4) up to a certain point, the content distribution system stores therein a view mode used for viewing the video content on the other content playback device (3, 4), the reception unit further receives, from the content distribution system, information indicating the view mode that has been used for viewing the video content in the other content playback device (3, 4), and the presentation unit (86, 88) presents the view modes such that the view mode that has been used in the other content playback device (3, 4) is distinguishable from any other of the view modes.