A program distribution system is disclosed. The system includes: a broadcast station; a recording and reproduction device that is capable of recording and reproducing data of program contents coming from the broadcast station by cable or by radio; and a content server that is capable of distributing, over a network, the data of the program contents to the recording and reproduction device through connection thereto over the network. In the system, the recording and reproduction device includes a storage section, a recording and reproduction control section, and a higher-quality data acquisition control section.