Script-based method for unattended control and feature extensions of a TV or settop box device

A method for extending unattended control capabilities for a video receiver comprising:

• executing, using a shell within the video receiver, scripts controlling demodulation of broadcast programming;
• and
• storing, within a memory in the video receiver, at least one script including a sequence of commands for demodulating selected broadcast programming, wherein the at least one script is executable by the shell to select broadcast programming for demodulation from among one or more concurrently airing programs each matching at least one of a plurality of user-specified descriptive criteria, wherein said at least one script employs associated previously-defined user priorities or conditions to select between conflicting matches or routing options.

A datastream for use with a video receiver comprising:

• a broadcast programming stream including selected broadcast programming;
• and
• at least one script including a sequence of commands for causing the video receiver to demodulate the selected broadcast programming for display or recording, wherein the at least one script is executable by a shell running within the video receiver.