An access control method for use with a broadcast communication network is described. The access control method includes the steps of receiving an encoded program at a subscriber unit via the broadcast communication network, and preventing decoding of the encoded program at the subscriber unit for at least one preselected time period, preselected in accordance with a preference of a user of the subscriber unit. Alternatively, the encoded program received at the subscriber unit may be decoded for at least one preselected time period, preselected in accordance with a preference of the user of the subscriber unit. Related methods and apparatus are also described.