Media processing system communicating activity information to support user interaction during media broadcasts

A method of communicating activity information to support user interaction in a communication network, the method comprising:

• notifying a first user, via a communication network, of consumption of requested media of the first user directly requested by a second user, if a pre-defined set of characteristics for the requested media matches at least one user-selected media characteristic;
• and
• refraining from notifying the first user, via the communication network, of the consumption of the requested media by the second user, if the pre-defined set of characteristics for the requested media does not match the at least one user-selected media characteristic.

A system supporting the communication of activity information to support user interaction in a communication network, the system comprising:

• a first set top box circuitry at a first location configured to support consumption of media by a first user;
• and
• software that notifies a second user at a second location, via a communication network, of the consumption of media of the second user directly requested and consumed by the first user if a pre-defined set of media characteristics for requested media match at least one user-selected media characteristic associated with the first user, and that refrains from notifying the second user at the second location, via the communication network, of the consumption of media of the second user by the first user of the pre-defined set of media characteristics for the requested media does not match the at least one user-selected media characteristic associated with the first user.