A method is provided for enabling rapid media stream channel changes in conjunction with increasing network resource utilization efficiency. A media stream is multicast for reception by a plurality of requesting decoders. The media stream includes packets containing groups of pictures (GOPs), which are stored in a buffer of an access node. At least a portion of the packets are unicast from the access node for reception by a new requesting decoder in response to receiving from the new requesting decoder a request for reception designating a media stream identifier corresponding to the media stream. Thereafter, the media stream is multicast to the new decoder after bringing packet transmission of the unicast media stream into alignment with packet transmission of the multicast media stream.