An apparatus for securely communicating streaming media over a power line communications, PLC, network, comprising: a first streaming media device configured for connecting to a power line for the receipt of operating power; a power line communications circuit, within said first streaming media device, configured for communicating data over said power line operating as a PLC network, between said first streaming media device and at least a second streaming media device coupled to said power line; a scrambling circuit within said communications circuit which is operable to encrypt or decrypt data using a network key value; means within said communications circuit for detecting a physical connection between said first streaming media device and said second streaming media device; and means for securely sharing and storing said network key value between said first and second streaming media devices, in response to said detection of said physical connection between said first streaming media device and said second streaming media device, wherein said physical connection comprises a direct power line connection and said means for securely sharing and storing comprises a key-sharing circuit configured for establishing said direct power line connection; a memory for storing said network key value shared over said direct power line connection; a selective PLC data filter configured for filtering out PLC data so that it is not communicated beyond said direct power line connection over the PLC network, said network key being shared over the direct power line connection without being distributed over the PLC network; and means to disconnect said direct power line connection after the network key has been shared.. a first streaming media device configured for connecting to a power line for the receipt of operating power; a power line communications circuit, within said first streaming media device, configured for communicating data over said power line operating as a PLC network, between said first streaming media device and at least a second streaming media device coupled to said power line; a scrambling circuit within said communications circuit which is operable to encrypt or decrypt data using a network key value; means within said communications circuit for detecting a physical connection between said first streaming media device and said second streaming media device; and means for securely sharing and storing said network key value between said first and second streaming media devices, in response to said detection of said physical connection between said first streaming media device and said second streaming media device, wherein said physical connection comprises a direct power line connection and said means for securely sharing and storing comprises a key-sharing circuit configured for establishing said direct power line connection; a memory for storing said network key value shared over said direct power line connection; a selective PLC data filter configured for filtering out PLC data so that it is not communicated beyond said direct power line connection over the PLC network, said network key being shared over the direct power line connection without being distributed over the PLC network; and means to disconnect said direct power line connection after the network key has been shared..