Layered streaming media has become a popular alternative for the transmission of multimedia over IP networks. The characteristics of layered streams allow more flexibility than other multimedia types of transmission. However, the effects and the advantages that routing algorithms used on the Internet have on layered streams have not been addressed widely. In this paper, we present three different routing algorithms: shortest path, load balancing and intelligent routing; and their effect on layered streaming media in terms of loss, delay variation and network complexity. Simulations that implement the different algorithms support our results. Finally, we conclude that selective routing is beneficial for the transmission of layered streaming media.