Abstract: The invention networks a conventional and unmodified television receiver, television monitor, stereo amplifier, VCR's, video disc player, etc. and communicates via telephone lines with any remote central computer. The viewer provides channel selection commands or other programming commands to a microprocessor through an infrared channel selection unit. A motion detector detects entry or exit of viewers from the viewing location to monitor viewing behavior during a program. The microprocessor interactively communicates with the viewer through speech input and output modules and alphanumeric displays which are combined with the video signal and displayed on the television or monitor screen. A VCR tuner and TV tuner within the system provide audio and video signals for the conventional television monitor or television receiver. An AM and FM radio tuner may also be included. Each tuner is tunable by the microprocessor.