Using the electronic program guide to synchronize interactivity with broadcast programs

A computer implemented method of controlling a broadcast and reception of an interactive application, comprising:

• determining, using an electronic program guide, an interactive application associated with a broadcast program;
• controlling the interactive application to maintain synchrony with a display of the broadcast program;
• determining timing offsets associated with the broadcast program;
• and where
• controlling the interactive application to maintain synchrony with the display of the broadcast program is done in accordance with the timing offsets,
• wherein the broadcast program is a television show, and wherein controlling the interactive application further comprises:
• responsive to determining from the timing offsets that there is a break in the television show, generating a command to suspend execution of the interactive application associated with the television show;
• and
• responsive to determining from the timing offsets that the break in the television show has ended, generating a command to resume execution of the interactive application associated with the television show.

A computer implemented method of controlling a broadcast and reception of an interactive application, comprising:

• determining, using an electronic program guide, an interactive application associated with a broadcast program;
• controlling the interactive application to maintain synchrony with a display of the broadcast program;
• determining timing offsets associated with the broadcast program;
• and where
• controlling the interactive application to maintain synchrony with the display of the broadcast program is done in accordance with the timing offsets,
• wherein the broadcast program is a first television show, and wherein controlling the interactive application further comprises:
• responsive to determining from the timing offsets that there is a break in the first television show, generating a command to suspend execution of a first interactive application associated with the first television show;
• responsive to determining from the timing offsets that the first television shown is being broadcast after the break has ended, generating a command to restart execution of the first interactive application;
• and
• responsive to determining from the timing offsets that a second television show is being broadcast, generating commands to terminate the first interactive application and to begin execution of a second interactive application associated with the second television show.