By the time InterStream enters into Phase II of its implementation, SMCs will have started being deployed throughout the Internet, enabling ISPs to establish coordinated mediation policies across their networks. Distributed Media Grid Engines (MGE) collectively optimize into a Media Grid to ensure sufficient bandwidth for the expedited delivery of “premium” content across the backbone is garnered. Once optimized, the MGEs can then begin streaming in high quality straight through “last-mile”, edge-deployed SMCs. The Media Grid Manager (MGM) works in conjunction with the MGEs and its interlocking elements, including SMCs, to securely deliver prioritized content and ensure expected levels of bandwidth—on a per-application, per instance basis—are being delivered end-to-end across the Media Grid.