A programmable multicast switch may include a first set of optical ports and a second set of optical ports. The programmable multicast switch may include a plurality of groups of optical devices optically connected in a cascading arrangement. At least one optical device in each of the plurality of groups may be a tunable optical device. Each group may be connected to an optical port of the first set of optical ports. The programmable multicast switch may include a plurality of controllers to tune each corresponding tunable optical devices. The programmable multicast switch may include a processor to control the plurality of controllers. The programmable multicast switch may include a plurality of optical switches connected to each of the groups of optical devices. Each optical switch of the plurality of optical switches may be connected to an optical port of the second set of optical ports.