Abstract: A server and method allocates access to a digital video movie to clients for viewing upon demand. The server receives requests to view the movie and in response, compares a number of requests to concurrently view the movie to a threshold. If the number is less than the threshold, the server allocates access for a current request to an existing copy of the movie stored on one or more disks, using bandwidth previously reserved from the one or more disks for the movie. However, if the number exceeds the threshold, the server automatically reserves additional bandwidth for future viewers if available from the one or more disks for the movie. But, if the number exceeds the threshold but such additional bandwidth is not available, the server makes another copy of the movie on another disk provided the copy can be made before the most advanced viewer completes its viewing.