Method and apparatus for displaying branded video tags

An apparatus for displaying branded video tags on a digital video recorder (DVR), comprising:

• a module for displaying a content stream to a user on a display screen;
• a module for monitoring the content stream for command tags inserted in the content stream;
• a module for interpreting command tags encountered in the content stream;
• a module for displaying an icon on a display screen in response to a command tag;
• a module for displaying an advertiser's branding graphic in the vicinity of the displayed icon;
• and
• wherein the displayed icon requests input by the user.

A computer-readable medium carrying one or more sequences of instructions for displaying branded video tags on a digital video recorder (DVR), which instructions, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to carry out the steps of:

• displaying a content stream to a user on a display screen;
• monitoring the content stream for command tags inserted in the content stream;
• interpreting command tags encountered in the content stream;
• displaying an icon on a display screen in response to a command tag;
• displaying an advertiser's branding graphic in the vicinity of the displayed icon;
• and
• wherein the displayed icon requests input by the user.

A method for displaying branded video tags to a user, comprising:

• receiving an advertiser's branding graphic at a service provider;
• distributing the advertiser's branding graphic to a plurality of digital video recorders (DVRs);
• and
• charging a fee to the advertiser for the service provider's distribution of the advertiser's branding graphic.