Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a central recorder in an interactive broadcast television network environment are disclosed. A broadcast center records and stores incoming content as it is received from local, regional and/or national broadcasters to facilitate time shifting of content for clients, and to provide an efficient mechanism for the distribution and/or redistribution of content. Content may be distributed or redistributed to one or more of client terminals, to the originating broadcaster, to a parent network, to an interactive television service, or to other third parties with an interest in receiving the content.

Abstract: Localized content and corresponding applications can be provided to thin-client interactive television terminals. Localization may be performed on general data feeds by applying, at a portal that receives the data feeds, localization parameters specified in a plurality of channel configuration records. The local content is then provided to their corresponding head-ends. From the head-ends, the local content and its application are carousel broadcasted to thin-client terminals via different data pipes. A viewer can tune to a synthetic channel having the local content and application via familiar television metaphors, such as from a remote control or from an electronic program guide. The viewer's interaction with the local content can be limited to a walled garden.