Visual object present within live programming as an actionable event for user selection of alternate programming wherein the actionable event is selected by human operator at a head end for distributed data and programming

A system for distributing audiovisual programming, comprising:

• a signal source providing live programming, displayed to a human operator located at the head end of a distribution system while distributed at substantially the same time to a plurality of remotely located users;
• a processing unit located at the head end, coupled to the signal source, which is programmed to:
• i) detect one of a plurality of pre-selected visual objects present within the live programming as an actionable event, during which a user selection may be accepted;
• and
• ii) add data for distribution with the live programming in response to the detection of the visual object and in response to an operator selection of another actionable event made by the human operator, the added data including
• a) synchronization data delineating a time period within the live programming display during which a user selection may be accepted,
• b) overlay function data controlling the distribution of alternate programming to be displayed in response to an individual user making a user selection in response to the actionable event, and
• c) interface data providing indication to each of the plurality of users of the opportunity to make a user selection;
• transmission equipment distributing the live programming for display to the plurality of users;
• a set-top box recognizing a user selection in response to the selected actionable event;
• and
• a transaction processor distributing the alternate programming to the user in response to the user selection.