Method and system for implementing interactive broadcast programs and commercials

A receiver configured to receive a multiplexed stream of data packets which includes an interactive main program comprised of a plurality of main program segments including at least a first main program segment and a plurality of second main program segments each second main program segment having a content, the receiver comprising:

• a display device;
• means for informing a user of said content of said second main program segments by displaying multi-media hotspots included in the first main program segment;
• and
• means responsive to a user action for causing said display device to display a selected second main program segment of the plurality of second main program segments, said selected second main program segment being chosen by said user based upon said content.

A receiver configured to receive a multiplexed stream of data packets which includes an interactive main program comprised of a plurality of main program segments including at least a first main program segment and a plurality of second main program segments each second main program segment having a content, the receiver comprising:

• a display device;
• means for informing a user of said content of said second main program segments by displaying multi-media hotspots included in the first main program segment;
• and
• means responsive to a user action for causing said display device to branch to a selected second main program segment of the plurality of second main program segments at a branching point of the first main program segment, said selected second main program segment being chosen by said user based upon said content.

A system, comprising:

• a transmitter for transmitting a multiplexed stream of data packets which includes a main program and a plurality of commercials, said commercials each having a content;
• a receiver configured to receive said multiplexed data stream, said receiver including a display device and means for informing a user of said content of said commercials by displaying multi-media hotspots included in the main program;
• and
• said receiver further including means responsive to a user action for causing said display device to display a selected commercial of the plurality of commercials, said selected commercial being chosen by said user based upon said content.

A method for implementing an interactive program, comprising the steps of:

• receiving a multiplexed stream of data packets which includes a main program and a plurality of commercials, said commercials each having a content;
• informing a user of said content by displaying multi-media hotspots included in the main program;
• and
• displaying a selected commercial of the plurality of commercials, said selected commercial being chosen by said user based upon said content.

A method for implementing an interactive program, comprising the steps of:

• transmitting a multiplexed stream of data packets which includes a main program and a plurality of commercials, said commercials having a content;
• receiving said multiplexed data stream;
• informing a user of said content by displaying multi-media hotspots included in the main program;
• and,
• displaying a selected commercial of the plurality of commercials during a commercial interruption in the main program, said selected commercial being chosen by said user based upon said content.

A method for implementing an interactive program, comprising t he steps of:

• receiving a multiplexed stream of data packets which includes an interactive main program comprised of a plurality of main program segments including at least a first main program segment and a plurality of second main program segments, said second main program segments each having a content;
• informing a user of said content by displaying multi-media hotspots included in the first main program segment;
• and,
• branching to a selected second main program segment of the plurality of second main program segments at a branching point of the first main program segment, said selected second main program segment being chosen by said user based upon said content.

A method for implementing an interactive program, comprising the steps of:

• transmitting a multiplexed stream of data packets which includes an interactive main program comprised of a plurality of main program segments, said main program segments including at least a first main program segment and a plurality of second main program segments, said second main program segments each having a content;
• receiving said multiplexed data stream;
• informing a user of said content by displaying multi-media hotspots included in the first main program segment;
• and,
• branching to a selected segment of the plurality of second main program segments at a branching point of the first main program segment said selected segment being chosen by said user based upon said content.