A method to perform dynamic source selection within an IP multicast network is performed at a designated router of an IP multicast network. At the designated router within the IP multicast network, a first source of a multicast group is selected to be forwarded to a receiving host or multiple receiving hosts. The first source is monitored to automatically detect when the first source exhibits a predetermined characteristic. At the designated router, responsive to the detection that the first source exhibits the predetermined characteristic, a second source of the multicast group is automatically selected to be forwarded to the receiving host or hosts. The method also supports automatic selection of all normally operating sources and forwarding of the traffic of such sources or channels to the receiving hosts or hosts.