Abstract: In response to a customer pressing a specifically-designated button, the customer is placed in communication with a customer support center associated with the content currently being displayed by the customer's interactive television system. The interactive television system receives the request for customer support, identifies a support center associated with the content, and establishes a two-way communication channel between the support center and the customer. The two-way communication channel may support audio, video, text, and other data exchanges. The two-way communication channel may be used to transmit a copy of the currently displayed content to the support center. The two-way communication channel may also be used to allow receive commands, such as key presses, mouse events, etc., from a support technician. The commands may be performed by the interactive television system as though they were initiated by the user.

Abstract: A system and method to provide a display for a client terminal for a television communicatively coupled to an interactive video casting network are provided. The display can present indicia related to events available through the client terminal. Operational features of a client terminal can also be displayed. User preferences can play a role in the appearance and/or content of the displayed indicia. Indicia can appear in the form of text, graphics, or sound and be related to any events such as, but not limited to, news headlines, e-mail and voicemail announcements, miscellaneous reminders, program alerts, and emergency alerts. With the use of the display, information may be displayed therein at least alternatively to being displayed on a screen of the television, thereby reducing crowding on the screen of the television.