A server structure (101) includes one or more multicast servers (106). An analytics engine (207) determines one or more channel maps (217) identifying a group of channels that will be delivered by the multicast servers across a network (104). The analytics engine determines the one or more channel maps as a function of both historical data corresponding to one or more client groups (204,205,206) operating in one or more zones (201,202,203), and optionally from near real time data such as electronic program guide metadata provided by an electronic program guide metadata manager (213). A flap detector (210) can determine one or more flapping thresholds (405,406,407) identifying channels in the group of channels delivered by the multicast servers, as well as whether channels having flapping frequencies greater than the flapping threshold should remain in the group of channels delivered by the multicast servers.