Patent ID: 6990678

Claim:
In a system including a set top box that is capable of receiving content and television programming, a method for displaying content associated with a program included in the television programming, the method comprising acts of: receiving electronic program guide (EPG) data from a server, wherein the EPG data includes batch links associated with the television programming; prior to display of the program, pre-fetching content associated with one or more of the batch links; during display of the program, extracting real-time links from the television programming, wherein the real-time links are embedded in the television programming; identifying a program link from a list of links, the list of links including the real time links and the batch links; notifying a viewer that the program link, through which content associated with the program may be accessed, is available; receiving input from the viewer such that the program link is selected; and displaying the content associated with the link concurrently with the program.