Technique for delivering network personal video recorder service and broadcast programming service over communications network

A method for use in an apparatus for receiving programming content, the method comprising:

• realizing a first programming service by providing first programming content from a first programming source to a display device in accordance with a broadcast schedule, via a first software application;
• receiving a change request to change from the first program source to a second program source afforded a second programming service to provide second programming content after broadcast thereof;
• accessing the second program source via the first software application, in response to the change request;
• wherein a second software application becomes receptive to a second request for obtaining a selected portion of the second programming content from the second program source, in response to the change request, to realize the second programming service.

An apparatus for receiving programming content, comprising:

• a memory storing a first software application and a software application;
• and
• a processor configured to:
• realize a first programming service to provide first programming content in accordance with a broadcast schedule to a display device, via the first software application;
• realize a second programming service to provide second programming content to the display device after broadcast thereof, via the second software application;
• and
• receive a change request to change from a first program source afforded the first programming service to a second program source afforded the second programming service;
• wherein in response to the change request, the second software application self-activates to become receptive to a second request for obtaining a selected portion of the second programming content.

An apparatus for receiving program content, the apparatus comprising:

• memory storing a first software application and a second software application;
• and
• at least one processor configured to:
• realize a first programming service to provide first programming content in accordance with a broadcast schedule to a display device, under the control of the first software application;
• realize a second programming service to provide second programming content to the display device after broadcast thereof, under the control of the second software application;
• receive a change request to change from a first program source afforded the first programming service to a second program source afforded the second programming service;
• and
• access the second program source via the first software application, in response to the change;
• wherein the second software application becomes receptive to a request for obtaining a selected portion of the second programming content from the second program source, in response to the change.