A method and a system for selecting and ordering broadcast programs uses
an electronic program guide that may be broadcast to subscribers or
posted on an Internet web site. The system allows national broadcasters
to provide one or more channels of pay-per-view or subscription
programming and to establish a mechanism for billing subscribers who
access the programs. Subscribers may access the Internet and send a
program request to a web site. An authorization is then forwarded to a
billing center and to a local broadcaster. The billing center debits the
subscriber's account, or prepares a bill. The local broadcaster sends the
authorization to the subscriber. The authorization includes a program
code and a terminal identifier that permit the subscriber's television or
set top terminal to decrypt and display the program.