A satellite-based digital audio radio (SDAR) receiver buffers an audio or video data stream and obtains metadata relating to the content of the data stream either during or after the transmission of the data stream in SDAR services in which a priori information is unavailable. Based on the metadata and on a selection criterion, the receiver selectively stores portions of the data stream for subsequent use. Thus, the SDAR receiver may provide a user with functionality approximating "content on demand" capabilities of other streamed data services without the use of a priori information that is unavailable in some SDAR services.