On-screen stripe and other methods for delivering information that facilitate convergence of audio/visual programming and advertisements with internet and other media usage

A method for providing information to a television viewer, comprising steps of:

• transmitting a television signal such that a first area of a television monitor screen displays programs and advertisements, and a second area of the television monitor screen displays other information;
• and
• during a time that the first area of the television monitor screen is displaying an advertisement for an advertiser, displaying in said second area the other information for specifying a URL of the advertiser for enabling a viewer to contact the advertiser through the Internet.

A method for displaying a commercial to a television viewer, comprising steps of:

• transmitting a television signal such that a first area of a television monitor screen displays a commercial and such that a visually distinct stripe runs horizontally across the bottom of the television monitor screen, the stripe displaying information that is descriptive at least of an Internet address of a site that is related to goods or services depicted in the commercial;
• and
• operating a device that provides Internet access to reach the site using the displayed information.