A Java television receiver (10) includes a Java television platform (12) that has a bidirectional Internet connection (14) capable of sending Internet data to the Java television platform (12) and transmitting data from the Java television platform (12) to an Internet provider. Additionally, a tuner/decoder (24) connected to the Java television platform (12) is provided which can receive, tune and decode television signals. An audio/video overlay (32) connected to the Java television platform is provided to combine displays from the Java television platform (12) and television signals from the tuner/decoder (24). Finally, a video output (36) and an audio output (38) sends the combined Internet data and television signals to a television (40).