Distributed non-real-time content

A method of a reception apparatus for accessing non-real-time (NRT) content, the method comprising:

• receiving, by a processor of the reception apparatus, a selection of the NRT content included in a digital television broadcast signal broadcast by a content source;
• determining whether the selected NRT content is stored in a memory of the reception apparatus;
• when the selected NRT content is determined not to be stored in the memory, determining whether the selected NRT content can be downloaded from an external device that is accessible via a communication network;
• and
• when the selected NRT content is determined to be downloadable from an external device that is accessible via the communication network, downloading the selected NRT content from the external device.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having embedded therein instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform a method for accessing non-real-time (NRT) content, the method comprising:

• receiving, by a processor of a reception apparatus, a selection of the NRT content included in a digital television broadcast signal broadcast by a content source;
• determining whether the selected NRT content is stored in a memory of the reception apparatus;
• when the selected NRT content is determined not to be stored in the memory, determining whether the selected NRT content can be downloaded from an external device that is accessible via a communication network;
• and
• when the selected NRT content is determined to be downloadable from an external device that is accessible via the communication network, downloading the selected NRT content from the external device.