System and method for broadcast-synchronized interactive content interrelated to broadcast content

A method for providing interactive content to a user, said method comprising:

• programming a processor to provide interactive content, the interactive content being interrelated to pre-determined broadcast content;
• inserting an event within the broadcast content, the event being inserted in the broadcast content at a pre-determined segment, the pre-determined segment being interrelated to pre-determined interactive content;
• receiving a broadcast signal, the broadcast signal comprising the broadcast content;
• decoding the event as it is encountered in the broadcast content, the decoded event activating a segment of the interactive content;
• and
• displaying both the broadcast content and the activated segment of the interactive content to the user on a video display;
• wherein the event activates a segment of the interactive content that is interrelated to the segment of the broadcast content in which the event is inserted.

A method for selling advertising time during a broadcast program by associating advertised products and services with broadcast content, the method comprising:

• providing advertising content, the advertising content being interrelated to pre-determined broadcast content;
• inserting an event within the broadcast content, the event being inserted in a pre-determined segment of the broadcast content, the pre-determined segment of the broadcast content being interrelated to pre-determined advertising content;
• decoding the event as it is encountered in the broadcast content, the decoded event activating the pre-determined advertising content;
• displaying both the broadcast content and the activated pre-determined advertising content to a user on a video display;
• receiving a fee for displaying the activated pre-determined advertising content to the user on the video display.

A system for providing to a user interactive enabling system interactive content that is synchronized to broadcast content, the system comprising:

• an insertion device for inserting events into broadcast content;
• a transmission device for transmitting the broadcast content to the user interactive enabling system;
• a server network device communicating with the user interactive enabling system;
• and
• a memory system communicating with the server network device, the memory system storing the interactive content;
• wherein the inserted events are synchronized to particular segments of the broadcast content and activate particular segments of the interactive content interrelated to the particular segments of the broadcast content such that both the broadcast content and the interrelated interactive content are displayed on the user interactive enabling system.

A user interactive enabling system for receiving interactive content that is synchronized to broadcast content, the system comprising:

• a user reception device for receiving broadcast signals, the broadcast signals comprising broadcast content;
• a video display associated with the user reception device for displaying a user-perceptible form of the broadcast content to the user;
• and
• a decoding device communicating with the user reception device, the decoding device being programmed to decode events inserted in particular segments of the broadcast content;
• wherein the inserted events are synchronized to particular segments of the broadcast content and activate particular segments of the interactive content interrelated to the particular segments of the broadcast content such that both the broadcast content and the interrelated interactive content are displayed on the video display.