A broadband data broadcast system that allows rich multimedia content to
be delivered to a plurality of subscribers is disclosed. The broadband
data broadcast system operates by multiplexing a plurality of rich
multimedia digital information streams together at a centralized data
broadcast center. The data broadcast center then broadcasts the
multiplexed digital information stream on a broadcast medium such as
satellite broadcasts, radio frequency broadcasts, or digital television
broadcasts. A large number of receiver systems receive the broadcast
signal and demodulate the broadcast signal to retrieve the multiplexed
digital stream. The receiver system extracts a subset of digital
information streams that the particular receiver system's owner has
designated are of interest. The receiver system caches the interesting
digital information stream for later access. The receiver system outputs
the interesting digital information streams to a client system upon
demand. The receiver system may also stream an incoming digital
information stream to a client as the stream is received.