A system and method are provided for delivering data including graphical
components to user terminals through a communications network, e.g., a
cable TV network. In one embodiment, multiple versions of a graphical
component of a program guide, each formatted for a respective aspect
ratio of a user's TV, are generated. On the other hand, a single version
of non-graphical program guide data may also be generated. A data stream
containing the non-graphical data and the multiple versions of the
graphical component is transmitted to set-top terminals in the network
via a transmission channel. If a graphical component is desired, the
set-top terminal retrieves from the data stream a selected version of the
graphical component that is compatible with the aspect ratio of the TV to
which it is connected.