The disclosed computer-implemented method includes determining that incoming media item requests are to be skewed from a random distribution among server nodes, using a random distribution algorithm, to a directed distribution among the server nodes. The method then includes identifying, in a loading assignment, which media items are to be loaded onto specific server nodes to produce the directed distribution of media item requests. The method next includes preloading the identified media items onto the server nodes according to the loading assignment and receiving media item requests for the preloaded media items. The method then includes routing the received media item requests to the server nodes using the random distribution algorithm, where the random distribution algorithm is skewed to the directed distribution based on the preloading of the media items according to the identified loading assignment. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.