A media distribution system and method with sample variants for normalized encryption involves encrypting a main track of a media content asset using a first encryption scheme and encrypting a sample variant track of the media content asset using a second encryption scheme, and performing at least one of: storing the encrypted main track and encrypted sample variant track of the media content asset packaged in a storage format, and transmitting the encrypted main track and the encrypted sample variant track in a distribution container format to an edge media router (EMR) device configured to repackage the media content asset into a delivery container format without reencrypting the media content asset.