Partial activation of a media channel on channel holder-based optical links

An Optical Add/Drop Multiplexing (OADM) device forming a degree in an optical network, the OADM device comprising:

• one or more traffic switch ports configured to interface with occupied traffic signals;
• and
• a channel holder port configured to interface with one or more channel holder sources for unoccupied spectrum or traffic signals;
• wherein the OADM device is configured to receive a bandwidth intent for a media channel on the degree and the media channel is a contiguous portion of optical spectrum that includes any of the occupied traffic signals, one or more spectral deadbands adjacent to the occupied traffic signals to avoid filter roll-off penalties, and the unoccupied spectrum or traffic signals, and to switch the one or more traffic switch ports and the channel holder port for spectrum in the bandwidth intent accordingly, wherein the OADM device opens optical filter bandwidth to the traffic switch ports only for the occupied traffic signals and adjacent deadbands, and switches remaining spectrum within the bandwidth intent to the channel holder port, such that, when the media channel is partially activated by including the unoccupied spectrum or traffic signals, the media channel is at full-fill spectrum power.