A method, system and software for broadcasting, receiving, providing
and/or configuring an electronic program guide (EPG). A broadcast station
broadcasts a template to a system where program information is inserted
into the broadcasted template, thereby creating a station specific EPG.
The template accesses program information, service information, event
information, user interface information, etc., for configuration and
presentation of the EPG to the user. User interface assets and other
associated information such as program information, tuning information,
etc., may be accessed through a local data base or even through a
broadcast signal containing the desired information. Event handling
instructions are provided for selecting programs and events and accessing
service information, tuning information, etc., for selected programs and
events. Additionally, application program interfaces are accessible for
execution, tuning, program, and scheduling information, etc. Templates
are provided through a propagated signal wherein the signal may contain
further information relating to channel information, user preference
information, application information, return channel information, etc.