A method for producing and for subsequently decrypting a protected stream of compressed video content is described herein. The method includes receiving an input stream of compressed video content containing a sequence of frames. A set of encrypted frames are created by encrypting selected frames of the sequence of frames in accordance with a frame encryption function. The method further includes generating frame decryption information necessary to decrypt the set of encrypted frames. In a particular implementation the protected stream is assembled using the set of encrypted frames, unencrypted frames from the input stream, and the frame decryption information. The decryption process is initiated by receiving the protected stream of compressed video content and the corresponding frame decryption information. In this regard the frame decryption information includes data distinguishing the encrypted frames from the unencrypted frames of the compressed video content within the protected stream. The encrypted frames are then decrypted in accordance with the frame decryption information.