diff --git a/lib/pages/player/player_view.dart b/lib/pages/player/player_view.dart
index 2bbdb2d..96c5af8 100644
--- a/lib/pages/player/player_view.dart
+++ b/lib/pages/player/player_view.dart
@@ -319,7 +319,6 @@ class _PlayerPageState extends State<PlayerPage>
           ),
         PlayerVideoSurface(
           controller: videoPort?.controller,
-          posterUrl: drama.posterUrl,
           videoUrl: videoPort?.controller.dataSource ?? episode.videoUrl,
           theater: theater,
           onTap: () =>
diff --git a/lib/pages/player/widgets/home_feed_overlay.dart b/lib/pages/player/widgets/home_feed_overlay.dart
index 35a3374..a4f2d75 100644
--- a/lib/pages/player/widgets/home_feed_overlay.dart
+++ b/lib/pages/player/widgets/home_feed_overlay.dart
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import '../../../core/formatting/localized_content.dart';
 import '../../../core/theme/app_colors.dart';
 import '../../../l10n/app_localizations.dart';
 import 'interaction_rail.dart';
+import 'loading_progress_track.dart';
 
 part 'home_feed_overlay_parts.dart';
 
diff --git a/lib/pages/player/widgets/home_feed_overlay_parts.dart b/lib/pages/player/widgets/home_feed_overlay_parts.dart
index c5cc0fe..c7b8709 100644
--- a/lib/pages/player/widgets/home_feed_overlay_parts.dart
+++ b/lib/pages/player/widgets/home_feed_overlay_parts.dart
@@ -37,10 +37,13 @@ class _FeedProgressBarState extends State<_FeedProgressBar> {
         final width = constraints.maxWidth;
         final source = widget.controller;
         final track = source == null
-            ? _track(0, width)
+            ? _loadingTrack()
             : ValueListenableBuilder<VideoPlayerValue>(
                 valueListenable: source,
                 builder: (context, value, _) {
+                  if (!value.isInitialized || value.isBuffering) {
+                    return _loadingTrack();
+                  }
                   final total = value.duration.inMilliseconds;
                   final played = total <= 0
                       ? 0.0
@@ -67,6 +70,23 @@ class _FeedProgressBarState extends State<_FeedProgressBar> {
     );
   }
 
+  Widget _loadingTrack() {
+    final bottom = _lineCenterFromBottom - widget.height / 2;
+    return SizedBox(
+      height: widget.hitHeight,
+      child: Stack(
+        children: [
+          Positioned(
+            left: 0,
+            right: 0,
+            bottom: bottom,
+            child: LoadingProgressTrack(height: widget.height),
+          ),
+        ],
+      ),
+    );
+  }
+
   void _update(double fraction) {
     setState(() => _preview = fraction.clamp(0.0, 1.0).toDouble());
   }
diff --git a/lib/pages/player/widgets/loading_progress_track.dart b/lib/pages/player/widgets/loading_progress_track.dart
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5d48d51
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/pages/player/widgets/loading_progress_track.dart
@@ -0,0 +1,102 @@
+// Author: fruit.com.cn
+
+import 'package:flutter/material.dart';
+
+import '../../../core/theme/app_colors.dart';
+
+/// 播放未就绪时沿进度轨道循环移动的加载高光。
+class LoadingProgressTrack extends StatefulWidget {
+  const LoadingProgressTrack({
+    super.key = const Key('progress-loading'),
+    required this.height,
+    this.trackColor = Colors.white24,
+    this.highlightColor = AppColors.blue,
+  });
+
+  final double height;
+  final Color trackColor;
+  final Color highlightColor;
+
+  @override
+  State<LoadingProgressTrack> createState() => _LoadingProgressTrackState();
+}
+
+class _LoadingProgressTrackState extends State<LoadingProgressTrack>
+    with SingleTickerProviderStateMixin, WidgetsBindingObserver {
+  late final AnimationController _controller;
+  late final Animation<double> _position;
+
+  @override
+  void initState() {
+    super.initState();
+    _controller = AnimationController(
+      vsync: this,
+      duration: const Duration(milliseconds: 1200),
+    );
+    _position = CurvedAnimation(parent: _controller, curve: Curves.easeInOut);
+    WidgetsBinding.instance.addObserver(this);
+    _syncAnimation();
+  }
+
+  @override
+  void didChangeAppLifecycleState(AppLifecycleState state) {
+    super.didChangeAppLifecycleState(state);
+    _syncAnimation();
+  }
+
+  @override
+  void dispose() {
+    WidgetsBinding.instance.removeObserver(this);
+    _controller.dispose();
+    super.dispose();
+  }
+
+  void _syncAnimation() {
+    if (WidgetsBinding.instance.lifecycleState == AppLifecycleState.resumed) {
+      if (!_controller.isAnimating) _controller.repeat();
+    } else {
+      _controller.stop();
+    }
+  }
+
+  @override
+  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
+    return SizedBox(
+      height: widget.height,
+      child: ClipRRect(
+        borderRadius: BorderRadius.circular(widget.height / 2),
+        child: LayoutBuilder(
+          builder: (context, constraints) {
+            final highlightWidth = constraints.maxWidth * 0.28;
+            final travel = constraints.maxWidth + highlightWidth;
+            return AnimatedBuilder(
+              animation: _position,
+              builder: (context, _) {
+                final left = -highlightWidth + travel * _position.value;
+                return Stack(
+                  fit: StackFit.expand,
+                  children: [
+                    ColoredBox(
+                      key: const Key('progress-loading-track'),
+                      color: widget.trackColor,
+                    ),
+                    Positioned(
+                      left: left,
+                      top: 0,
+                      bottom: 0,
+                      width: highlightWidth,
+                      child: ColoredBox(
+                        key: const Key('progress-loading-highlight'),
+                        color: widget.highlightColor,
+                      ),
+                    ),
+                  ],
+                );
+              },
+            );
+          },
+        ),
+      ),
+    );
+  }
+}
diff --git a/lib/pages/player/widgets/player_video_surface.dart b/lib/pages/player/widgets/player_video_surface.dart
index cdd66c3..1226e3f 100644
--- a/lib/pages/player/widgets/player_video_surface.dart
+++ b/lib/pages/player/widgets/player_video_surface.dart
@@ -4,25 +4,21 @@ import 'package:flutter/foundation.dart';
 import 'package:flutter/material.dart';
 import 'package:video_player/video_player.dart';
 
-import '../../../core/widgets/remote_image.dart';
-
 const Duration _videoFadeDuration = Duration(milliseconds: 200);
 const double _errorHorizontal = 32;
 const int _errorMaxLines = 3;
 
-/// 封面底层与视频层共用同一控制器，视频首帧就绪后再淡入。
+/// 黑色底层与视频层共用同一控制器，视频首帧就绪后再淡入。
 class PlayerVideoSurface extends StatefulWidget {
   const PlayerVideoSurface({
     super.key,
     required this.controller,
-    required this.posterUrl,
     required this.videoUrl,
     required this.theater,
     required this.onTap,
   });
 
   final VideoPlayerController? controller;
-  final String posterUrl;
   final String videoUrl;
   final bool theater;
   final VoidCallback onTap;
@@ -57,7 +53,10 @@ class _PlayerVideoSurfaceState extends State<PlayerVideoSurface> {
     return Stack(
       fit: StackFit.expand,
       children: [
-        _FallbackBackground(posterUrl: widget.posterUrl),
+        const ColoredBox(
+          key: Key('player-fallback-background'),
+          color: Colors.black,
+        ),
         AnimatedOpacity(
           key: const Key('player-video-opacity'),
           opacity: reveal ? 1 : 0,
@@ -164,35 +163,3 @@ class _VideoLayer extends StatelessWidget {
     );
   }
 }
-
-class _FallbackBackground extends StatelessWidget {
-  const _FallbackBackground({required this.posterUrl});
-
-  final String posterUrl;
-
-  @override
-  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
-    if (posterUrl.trim().isEmpty) {
-      return const ColoredBox(
-        key: Key('player-fallback-background'),
-        color: Colors.black,
-      );
-    }
-    return Stack(
-      key: const Key('player-fallback-background'),
-      fit: StackFit.expand,
-      children: [
-        RemoteImage(
-          posterUrl,
-          key: const Key('player-fallback-cover'),
-          fit: BoxFit.cover,
-          fallbackColor: Colors.black,
-        ),
-        const ColoredBox(
-          key: Key('player-fallback-scrim'),
-          color: Color(0x4D000000),
-        ),
-      ],
-    );
-  }
-}
diff --git a/lib/pages/player/widgets/seek_progress_bar.dart b/lib/pages/player/widgets/seek_progress_bar.dart
index faa2e85..fa7e8bd 100644
--- a/lib/pages/player/widgets/seek_progress_bar.dart
+++ b/lib/pages/player/widgets/seek_progress_bar.dart
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import 'package:flutter/material.dart';
 import 'package:video_player/video_player.dart';
 
 import '../../../core/theme/app_colors.dart';
+import 'loading_progress_track.dart';
 
 /// Keeps seeks within the playable range so dragging to the edge does not
 /// trigger the player's completion callback before playback resumes.
@@ -92,6 +93,7 @@ class _SeekProgressBarState extends State<SeekProgressBar> {
 
   Widget _buildTrack(BuildContext context, VideoPlayerValue video) {
     final total = video.duration.inMilliseconds;
+    final loading = !video.isInitialized || video.isBuffering;
     final enabled = video.isInitialized && total > 0 && widget.onSeek != null;
     final played = total > 0
         ? (video.position.inMilliseconds / total).clamp(0.0, 1.0)
@@ -100,7 +102,15 @@ class _SeekProgressBarState extends State<SeekProgressBar> {
     final previewPosition = _previewFraction.value == null
         ? video.position
         : seekPositionForFraction(fraction, video.duration);
-    final scrubbing = _previewFraction.value != null;
+    final scrubbing = !loading && _previewFraction.value != null;
+    final trackHeight = widget.compact
+        ? (scrubbing ? 3.0 : 1.5)
+        : (scrubbing ? 4.0 : 3.0);
+    final trackAreaHeight = loading
+        ? (widget.compact ? 20.0 : 44.0)
+        : widget.compact
+        ? (scrubbing ? 32.0 : 20.0)
+        : (scrubbing ? 48.0 : 44.0);
 
     return Column(
       mainAxisSize: MainAxisSize.min,
@@ -120,47 +130,50 @@ class _SeekProgressBarState extends State<SeekProgressBar> {
             ),
           ),
         SizedBox(
-          height: widget.compact
-              ? (scrubbing ? 32 : 20)
-              : (scrubbing ? 48 : 44),
-          child: SliderTheme(
-            data: SliderTheme.of(context).copyWith(
-              trackHeight: widget.compact
-                  ? (scrubbing ? 3 : 1.5)
-                  : (scrubbing ? 4 : 3),
-              activeTrackColor: AppColors.blue,
-              inactiveTrackColor: widget.inactiveTrackColor,
-              thumbColor: AppColors.onPrimary,
-              thumbShape: RoundSliderThumbShape(
-                enabledThumbRadius: widget.compact
-                    ? (scrubbing ? 6 : 4)
-                    : (scrubbing ? 8 : 6),
-              ),
-              overlayShape: RoundSliderOverlayShape(
-                overlayRadius: widget.compact ? 12 : 18,
-              ),
-            ),
-            child: Semantics(
-              label: widget.semanticsLabel,
-              child: Slider(
-                value: fraction,
-                // 轨道与上方文案共用同一层水平内边距，避免 Slider 默认内缩。
-                padding: EdgeInsets.zero,
-                onChangeStart: enabled
-                    ? (value) {
-                        _previewFraction.value = value;
-                        widget.onScrubStart?.call();
-                      }
-                    : null,
-                onChanged: enabled
-                    ? (value) => _previewFraction.value = value
-                    : null,
-                onChangeEnd: enabled
-                    ? (value) => unawaited(_finish(value, video.duration))
-                    : null,
-              ),
-            ),
-          ),
+          height: trackAreaHeight,
+          child: loading
+              ? Center(
+                  child: LoadingProgressTrack(
+                    height: trackHeight,
+                    trackColor: widget.inactiveTrackColor,
+                  ),
+                )
+              : SliderTheme(
+                  data: SliderTheme.of(context).copyWith(
+                    trackHeight: trackHeight,
+                    activeTrackColor: AppColors.blue,
+                    inactiveTrackColor: widget.inactiveTrackColor,
+                    thumbColor: AppColors.onPrimary,
+                    thumbShape: RoundSliderThumbShape(
+                      enabledThumbRadius: widget.compact
+                          ? (scrubbing ? 6 : 4)
+                          : (scrubbing ? 8 : 6),
+                    ),
+                    overlayShape: RoundSliderOverlayShape(
+                      overlayRadius: widget.compact ? 12 : 18,
+                    ),
+                  ),
+                  child: Semantics(
+                    label: widget.semanticsLabel,
+                    child: Slider(
+                      value: fraction,
+                      // 轨道与上方文案共用同一层水平内边距，避免 Slider 默认内缩。
+                      padding: EdgeInsets.zero,
+                      onChangeStart: enabled
+                          ? (value) {
+                              _previewFraction.value = value;
+                              widget.onScrubStart?.call();
+                            }
+                          : null,
+                      onChanged: enabled
+                          ? (value) => _previewFraction.value = value
+                          : null,
+                      onChangeEnd: enabled
+                          ? (value) => unawaited(_finish(value, video.duration))
+                          : null,
+                    ),
+                  ),
+                ),
         ),
       ],
     );
diff --git a/test/home/home_preview_layout_test.dart b/test/home/home_preview_layout_test.dart
index 17224fc..704dc0d 100644
--- a/test/home/home_preview_layout_test.dart
+++ b/test/home/home_preview_layout_test.dart
@@ -150,6 +150,8 @@ void main() {
       tester.widget<Text>(find.byKey(const Key('rail-comments-count'))).data,
       '12',
     );
+    expect(find.byKey(const Key('progress-loading')), findsOneWidget);
+    expect(find.byKey(const Key('home-feed-progress-thumb')), findsNothing);
   });
 
   testWidgets('should_seek_and_open_player_from_feed_actions', (tester) async {
diff --git a/test/playback/seek_progress_bar_test.dart b/test/playback/seek_progress_bar_test.dart
index 53ad74b..eb8524f 100644
--- a/test/playback/seek_progress_bar_test.dart
+++ b/test/playback/seek_progress_bar_test.dart
@@ -16,55 +16,111 @@ void main() {
     expect(seekPositionForFraction(1, duration), lessThan(duration));
   });
 
-  testWidgets('should_preview_while_dragging_and_seek_on_release_when_slider_is_horizontal', (
+  testWidgets('should_show_loading_track_when_controller_is_missing', (
     tester,
   ) async {
-    final video = ValueNotifier<VideoPlayerValue>(
-      const VideoPlayerValue(
-        duration: Duration(seconds: 12),
-        position: Duration(seconds: 3),
-        isInitialized: true,
-      ),
-    );
-    addTearDown(video.dispose);
-    var started = 0;
-    Duration? target;
     await tester.pumpWidget(
       MaterialApp(
         home: Scaffold(
-          body: Center(
-            child: SizedBox(
-              width: 300,
-              child: SeekProgressBar(
-                valueListenable: video,
-                semanticsLabel: 'Seek video',
-                onScrubStart: () => started++,
-                onSeek: (position) async {
-                  target = position;
-                },
-              ),
-            ),
+          body: SeekProgressBar(
+            valueListenable: null,
+            semanticsLabel: 'Seek video',
           ),
         ),
       ),
     );
 
-    final gesture = await tester.startGesture(
-      tester.getCenter(find.byType(Slider)),
-    );
-    await gesture.moveBy(const Offset(120, 0));
-    await tester.pump();
-    expect(started, 1);
-    expect(target, isNull);
-    expect(find.textContaining('/ 00:12'), findsOneWidget);
-    await gesture.up();
-    await tester.pumpAndSettle();
-    expect(target, isNotNull);
-    expect(target!, greaterThan(const Duration(seconds: 3)));
-    expect(target!, lessThan(const Duration(seconds: 12)));
-    expect(find.textContaining('/ 00:12'), findsNothing);
+    expect(find.byKey(const Key('progress-loading')), findsOneWidget);
+    expect(find.byType(Slider), findsNothing);
   });
 
+  testWidgets('should_switch_between_loading_track_and_slider', (tester) async {
+    final video = ValueNotifier<VideoPlayerValue>(
+      const VideoPlayerValue(
+        duration: Duration(seconds: 12),
+        position: Duration(seconds: 3),
+        isInitialized: true,
+        isBuffering: true,
+      ),
+    );
+    addTearDown(video.dispose);
+    await tester.pumpWidget(
+      MaterialApp(
+        home: Scaffold(
+          body: SeekProgressBar(
+            valueListenable: video,
+            semanticsLabel: 'Seek video',
+            onSeek: (_) async {},
+          ),
+        ),
+      ),
+    );
+
+    expect(find.byKey(const Key('progress-loading')), findsOneWidget);
+    expect(find.byType(Slider), findsNothing);
+    expect(find.textContaining('00:12'), findsNothing);
+
+    video.value = const VideoPlayerValue(
+      duration: Duration(seconds: 12),
+      position: Duration(seconds: 3),
+      isInitialized: true,
+    );
+    await tester.pump();
+
+    expect(find.byKey(const Key('progress-loading')), findsNothing);
+    expect(find.byType(Slider), findsOneWidget);
+  });
+
+  testWidgets(
+    'should_preview_while_dragging_and_seek_on_release_when_slider_is_horizontal',
+    (tester) async {
+      final video = ValueNotifier<VideoPlayerValue>(
+        const VideoPlayerValue(
+          duration: Duration(seconds: 12),
+          position: Duration(seconds: 3),
+          isInitialized: true,
+        ),
+      );
+      addTearDown(video.dispose);
+      var started = 0;
+      Duration? target;
+      await tester.pumpWidget(
+        MaterialApp(
+          home: Scaffold(
+            body: Center(
+              child: SizedBox(
+                width: 300,
+                child: SeekProgressBar(
+                  valueListenable: video,
+                  semanticsLabel: 'Seek video',
+                  onScrubStart: () => started++,
+                  onSeek: (position) async {
+                    target = position;
+                  },
+                ),
+              ),
+            ),
+          ),
+        ),
+      );
+
+      final gesture = await tester.startGesture(
+        tester.getCenter(find.byType(Slider)),
+      );
+      await gesture.moveBy(const Offset(120, 0));
+      await tester.pump();
+      expect(started, 1);
+      expect(target, isNull);
+      expect(find.textContaining('/ 00:12'), findsOneWidget);
+      await gesture.up();
+      await tester.pumpAndSettle();
+      expect(target, isNotNull);
+      expect(target!, greaterThan(const Duration(seconds: 3)));
+      expect(target!, lessThan(const Duration(seconds: 12)));
+      expect(find.textContaining('/ 00:12'), findsNothing);
+    },
+  );
+
   testWidgets('should_show_time_only_while_dragging_when_seek_bar_is_compact', (
     tester,
   ) async {
diff --git a/test/player/loading_progress_track_test.dart b/test/player/loading_progress_track_test.dart
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cacf042
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/player/loading_progress_track_test.dart
@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+// Author: fruit.com.cn
+
+import 'package:flutter/material.dart';
+import 'package:flutter_test/flutter_test.dart';
+
+import 'package:fruitshorts/core/theme/app_colors.dart';
+import 'package:fruitshorts/pages/player/widgets/loading_progress_track.dart';
+
+void main() {
+  testWidgets('should_move_highlight_while_loading', (tester) async {
+    tester.binding.handleAppLifecycleStateChanged(AppLifecycleState.resumed);
+    addTearDown(
+      () => tester.binding.handleAppLifecycleStateChanged(
+        AppLifecycleState.paused,
+      ),
+    );
+    await tester.pumpWidget(
+      const MaterialApp(
+        home: Scaffold(
+          body: Center(
+            child: SizedBox(width: 240, child: LoadingProgressTrack(height: 4)),
+          ),
+        ),
+      ),
+    );
+
+    expect(find.byKey(const Key('progress-loading')), findsOneWidget);
+    expect(
+      tester
+          .widget<ColoredBox>(find.byKey(const Key('progress-loading-track')))
+          .color,
+      Colors.white24,
+    );
+    expect(
+      tester
+          .widget<ColoredBox>(
+            find.byKey(const Key('progress-loading-highlight')),
+          )
+          .color,
+      AppColors.blue,
+    );
+
+    final initialLeft = tester
+        .getTopLeft(find.byKey(const Key('progress-loading-highlight')))
+        .dx;
+    await tester.pump(const Duration(milliseconds: 300));
+    final movedLeft = tester
+        .getTopLeft(find.byKey(const Key('progress-loading-highlight')))
+        .dx;
+    expect(movedLeft, greaterThan(initialLeft));
+    expect(tester.getSize(find.byKey(const Key('progress-loading'))).height, 4);
+  });
+}
diff --git a/test/player/player_fullscreen_test.dart b/test/player/player_fullscreen_test.dart
index 29f26f2..d8a7b6b 100644
--- a/test/player/player_fullscreen_test.dart
+++ b/test/player/player_fullscreen_test.dart
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@ import 'package:fruitshorts/core/data/repositories/playback_repository.dart';
 import 'package:fruitshorts/core/data/repositories/watch_history_repository.dart';
 import 'package:fruitshorts/core/data/services/playback_session.dart';
 import 'package:fruitshorts/core/theme/app_colors.dart';
-import 'package:fruitshorts/core/widgets/remote_image.dart';
 import 'package:fruitshorts/pages/auth/auth_view.dart';
 import 'package:fruitshorts/pages/player/widgets/player_center_toggle.dart';
 import 'package:fruitshorts/pages/player/widgets/seek_progress_bar.dart';
@@ -132,15 +131,9 @@ void main() {
     expect(player.playing, isTrue);
   });
 
-  testWidgets('should_fall_back_to_black_when_poster_is_empty', (tester) async {
-    await _pumpApp(
-      tester,
-      catalog: FakeCatalogRepository(dramas: const [_noCoverDrama]),
-    );
-    await _openSeriesPlayer(
-      tester,
-      cardKey: const Key('home-drama-card-no-cover-demo'),
-    );
+  testWidgets('should_keep_video_surface_background_black', (tester) async {
+    await _pumpApp(tester);
+    await _openSeriesPlayer(tester);
 
     expect(
       tester
@@ -150,6 +143,8 @@ void main() {
           .color,
       Colors.black,
     );
+    expect(find.byKey(const Key('player-fallback-cover')), findsNothing);
+    expect(find.byKey(const Key('player-fallback-scrim')), findsNothing);
   });
 
   testWidgets('should_gate_comments_before_opening_sheet_when_signed_out', (
@@ -415,19 +410,9 @@ void main() {
     expect(find.byKey(const Key('player-background')), findsNothing);
     final fallback = find.byKey(const Key('player-fallback-background'));
     expect(fallback, findsOneWidget);
-    expect(find.byKey(const Key('player-fallback-cover')), findsOneWidget);
-    expect(
-      tester
-          .widget<RemoteImage>(find.byKey(const Key('player-fallback-cover')))
-          .fallbackColor,
-      Colors.black,
-    );
-    expect(
-      tester
-          .widget<ColoredBox>(find.byKey(const Key('player-fallback-scrim')))
-          .color,
-      const Color(0x4D000000),
-    );
+    expect(tester.widget<ColoredBox>(fallback).color, Colors.black);
+    expect(find.byKey(const Key('player-fallback-cover')), findsNothing);
+    expect(find.byKey(const Key('player-fallback-scrim')), findsNothing);
     expect(
       tester
           .widget<Scaffold>(find.byKey(const Key('player-scaffold')))
@@ -476,7 +461,8 @@ void main() {
       tester.getSize(find.byKey(const Key('player-bottom-clear-screen'))),
       const Size(40, 40),
     );
-    expect(tester.widget<Slider>(find.byType(Slider)).padding, EdgeInsets.zero);
+    expect(find.byKey(const Key('progress-loading')), findsOneWidget);
+    expect(find.byType(Slider), findsNothing);
 
     expect(bottom.height, lessThanOrEqualTo(200));
     expect(bottom.top, greaterThanOrEqualTo(screenHeight * 0.78));
@@ -1092,7 +1078,8 @@ void _expectFullscreenOverlay(WidgetTester tester) {
   expect(find.byKey(const Key('player-pip')), findsNothing);
   expect(find.byKey(const Key('player-rail-comments')), findsOneWidget);
   expect(find.byKey(const Key('player-fullscreen-toggle')), findsNothing);
-  expect(find.byType(Slider), findsOneWidget);
+  expect(find.byKey(const Key('progress-loading')), findsOneWidget);
+  expect(find.byType(Slider), findsNothing);
   expect(find.byKey(const Key('player-title')), findsNothing);
   expect(find.byKey(const Key('player-subtitle')), findsNothing);
   expect(find.byKey(const Key('player-genre-chip')), findsNothing);
@@ -1211,20 +1198,3 @@ const _lockedDrama = Drama(
     ),
   ],
 );
-
-const _noCoverDrama = Drama(
-  id: 'no-cover-demo',
-  title: 'No Cover Demo',
-  synopsis: 'No cover synopsis',
-  posterUrl: '',
-  detailLoaded: true,
-  episodes: [
-    Episode(
-      id: 'no-cover-demo-1',
-      number: 1,
-      title: 'No Cover Episode',
-      isFree: true,
-      videoUrl: 'https://example.test/no-cover-demo-1.mp4',
-    ),
-  ],
-);
diff --git a/test/player/player_video_surface_test.dart b/test/player/player_video_surface_test.dart
index 3cc3194..7ab4f3c 100644
--- a/test/player/player_video_surface_test.dart
+++ b/test/player/player_video_surface_test.dart
@@ -12,8 +12,9 @@ void main() {
   ) async {
     await _pumpSurface(tester);
 
-    expect(find.byKey(const Key('player-fallback-background')), findsOneWidget);
-    expect(find.byKey(const Key('player-fallback-cover')), findsOneWidget);
+    expect(_fallbackColor(tester), Colors.black);
+    expect(find.byKey(const Key('player-fallback-cover')), findsNothing);
+    expect(find.byKey(const Key('player-fallback-scrim')), findsNothing);
     expect(_opacity(tester), 0);
     expect(find.byKey(const Key('player-debug-video')), findsNothing);
   });
@@ -48,7 +49,8 @@ void main() {
     expect(halfway, lessThan(1));
     await tester.pump(const Duration(milliseconds: 100));
     expect(_fadeValue(tester), 1);
-    expect(find.byKey(const Key('player-fallback-background')), findsOneWidget);
+    expect(_fallbackColor(tester), Colors.black);
+    expect(find.byKey(const Key('player-fallback-cover')), findsNothing);
     expect(find.byKey(const Key('player-debug-video')), findsNothing);
   });
 
@@ -62,7 +64,8 @@ void main() {
 
     expect(find.byKey(const Key('player-video-error')), findsOneWidget);
     expect(find.text('No route to host'), findsOneWidget);
-    expect(find.byKey(const Key('player-fallback-background')), findsOneWidget);
+    expect(_fallbackColor(tester), Colors.black);
+    expect(find.byKey(const Key('player-fallback-cover')), findsNothing);
     expect(_opacity(tester), 0);
     expect(find.byKey(const Key('player-debug-video')), findsNothing);
   });
@@ -82,7 +85,6 @@ Future<VideoPlayerController> _pumpSurface(
       home: Scaffold(
         body: PlayerVideoSurface(
           controller: controller,
-          posterUrl: '/files/poster.jpg',
           videoUrl: controller.dataSource,
           theater: false,
           onTap: () {},
@@ -94,6 +96,12 @@ Future<VideoPlayerController> _pumpSurface(
   return controller;
 }
 
+Color _fallbackColor(WidgetTester tester) {
+  return tester
+      .widget<ColoredBox>(find.byKey(const Key('player-fallback-background')))
+      .color;
+}
+
 double _opacity(WidgetTester tester) {
   return tester
       .widget<AnimatedOpacity>(find.byKey(const Key('player-video-opacity')))
diff --git a/test/widget_test.dart b/test/widget_test.dart
index 5b910bc..27b9260 100644
--- a/test/widget_test.dart
+++ b/test/widget_test.dart
@@ -185,7 +185,8 @@ void main() {
     await tester.pumpAndSettle();
     await _openTheaterPlayer(tester);
 
-    expect(find.byType(Slider), findsOneWidget);
+    expect(find.byKey(const Key('progress-loading')), findsOneWidget);
+    expect(find.byType(Slider), findsNothing);
     await tester.drag(find.byType(PageView), const Offset(0, -500));
     await tester.pumpAndSettle();
     expect(