Layered multicast provides a method of optimizing the reception data rate
for a plurality of networked push media receivers having heterogeneous reception
bandwidth. To reduce the latency of a pull medium element during multimedia event,
the data rates for push media layers are reduced during transmission of the pull
medium. Further, a recently added layer of the push medium is dropped when the
transmission of the push medium is initiated and attempts of the receiver to subscribe
to a higher push medium layer are suppressed during pull medium reception.