High bandwidth broadcast system having localized multicast access to broadcast content

A method of transmitting digital video or audio content to independent and distal users accessing the Internet via an Internet backbone, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) predetermining a schedule for streaming transmission of streaming digital content from a head-end;
• and
• b) stream transmitting the streaming digital content, in a relatively time-sensitive manner, from the head-end, generally according to the schedule, through a one-way dedicated transmission channel substantially separate from the Internet backbone for receipt by at least one remote Internet service gateway providing relatively time-insensitive data transmission to a plurality of distal Internet users via two-way Internet connections through the Internet backbone,
• c) whereby the plurality of distal Internet users can receive and play the streaming digital content from the Internet service gateway generally according to the predetermined schedule while maintaining the two-way Internet connection of data for the Internet users,
• wherein the dedicated transmission channel includes a one-way satellite transmission system with a satellite down link for delivering the streaming digital content to the Internet service gateway.