Patent ID: 7457582

Claim:
A broadcast program scene notification method directed to a terminal device having data communication capability and broadcast receiving/reproducing capability, the method comprising the steps of: registering desired scene information specifying a desired scene within a broadcast program, the scene being desired by a user at said terminal device, together with communication address information of the terminal device; classifying and managing scene information as to a real scene appearing in the broadcast program; checking whether or not said real scene corresponds to said desired scene; transmitting to the terminal device of the user, scene information indicating for the user that broadcast of the desired scene is going to start or has started, when said real scene corresponds to said desired scene; wherein, a start of the broadcast program scene is notified substantially in real time; receiving from each terminal device, audience information including at least an information item indicating that broadcast receiving/reproducing capability has been turned on, in response to the notification of said broadcast program scene; and checking a status of audience.