In one embodiment, a device in a network identifies an upcoming network formation event. The device instructs one or more nodes in the network to use a network formation broadcast schedule during the event. The device determines that a degree of functionality in the network during the event exceeds a threshold amount. The device instructs the one or more nodes to use a normal broadcast schedule, in response to determining that the degree of functionality in the network during the event exceeds the threshold amount. Channels of the network formation broadcast schedule are active more frequently than channels of the normal broadcast schedule when in use.