Abstract: A system for implementing a content-centered chat room operates to display messages received from one or more invitees of a subscriber on the subscriber's TV as program content is displayed on the subscriber's TV. The subscriber and the invitees all watch television, either a common TV program or different TV programs. Participants may be located in the same or in several different locations, and if the invitee-participants are also subscribers, the chat room may also appear on their TV screens. A subscriber invites friends to participate in the chat session for a specific TV program using the set top box (STB) of his television to send invitations, and a dedicated subscriber server coordinates notification of the invitees and directs their message-comments to a chat session displayed with the program content.

Abstract: A system for implementing a content-centered chat room operates to display messages received from one or more invitees of a subscriber on the subscriber's TV as program content is displayed on the subscriber's TV. The subscriber and the invitees all watch television, either a common TV program or different TV programs. Participants may be located in the same or in several different locations, and if the invitee-participants are also subscribers, the chat room may also appear on their TV screens. A subscriber invites friends to participate in the chat session for a specific TV program using the set top box (STB) of his television to send invitations, and a dedicated subscriber server coordinates notification of the invitees and directs their message-comments to a chat session displayed with the program content.