In this paper, we propose a design framework for achieving efficient multimedia multicast services in cognitive radio (CR) networks. The framework incorporates the characteristics of both heterogeneous network environment and the scalable video content. By adopting cooperative transmissions for the delivery of enhancement layer data, we can not only improve the achieved video quality but also protect the rights of subscribed secondary users. We also utilize network coding and superposition coding to achieve efficient multicast transmissions of the layered video packets in multi-channel CR networks. Numerical examples show the proposed framework can improve the average received data rate by up to 15%. When achieving the same video quality, the proposed framework can save 30% transmission time comparing with the scenario using direct transmission alone. © 2013 IEEE.