Processing and distribution of video-on-demand content items

A method includes encrypting, at a server, a media content item to form encrypted content. The method includes determining, at the server, a group of media devices associated with users that are likely to request the media content item. The method includes multicasting, without receiving a related request for the media content item from a media device of the group, the encrypted content and information from the server to the group of media devices. The information includes a usage period of the encrypted content. The method includes, receiving, at the server during the usage period, an acceptance notice of an offer for the media content item from a media device of the group of media devices. The method also includes sending, from the server to the media device, a decryption key for the encrypted content responsive to the acceptance notice.