In a broadband communications system, e.g., a cable system, a broadcast
program stream is transmitted to broadcast programming content, and the
broadcast program stream is recorded in a headend of the system to enable
a user to perform network private video recorder (NPVR) functions (e.g.,
rewinding, pausing, and fast-forwarding) on the programming content in
the recorded program stream. In accordance with the invention, a delay is
introduced into the transmission of the broadcast program stream to
reduce the unsynchronization between its transmission and that of the
recorded program stream. In an illustrative embodiment, the amount of the
delay is a function of the time required for recording the broadcast
program stream and processing a user request for a recorded program
stream. In another embodiment, the amount of the delay is predetermined.