Method and apparatus for internet-based interactive programming

Abstract

A method and system for the creation of interactive programming incorporating viewer interactions. An interactive program includes moderator content generated by the moderator and edited participant commentary, such as interactive messages, and is served by a moderator server. Moderators create and manage interactive programs using a Web site. Viewers register to be participants in interactive programs using the Web site. The interactive programs can be distributed as electronic documents written in a markup language such as HTML or XML over a communications network such as the Internet. The interactive programs can also be converted to conventional interactive television content for distribution over an interactive television network. The interactive programs can also be distributed over a virtual private network for use as a collaboration tool by an enterprise such as a business concern. The interactive programs can be embedded within other Web processes such as electronic commerce and television commerce transactions.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for creating and transmitting interactive programming content comprising an audience portion and a stage portion, hosted by a moderator Web browser on a stage, to an audience comprising a plurality of viewer Web browsers over a wide area network, comprising:
 providing an interactive program creation tool, the interactive program creation tool including a moderator interface for the moderator Web browser;  
 operably coupling a moderator server to the wide area network; 
 operably coupling a content server to the moderator server; 
 operably coupling the moderator Web browser to the moderator server via the wide area network; 
 operably coupling the plurality of viewer Web browsers to the moderator server via the wide area network; 
 providing the moderator interface at the moderator Web browser, the moderator interface including one or more interactive elements to enable a user of the modulator Web browser to create a look for the interactive programming content by establishing at least one of graphics, a background, a layout, and an interactive area;  
 receiving by the moderator server from the content server a first set of content signals; 
 receiving by the moderator server via the wide area network from the moderator Web browser a first set of moderator comments comment signals; 
 generating by the moderator server a first interactive electronic document using including content generated from the first set of content signals and moderator comments generated from the first set of moderator comments comment signals; 
 transmitting by the moderator server via the wide area network to the plurality of viewer Web browsers the first interactive electronic document; 
 receiving viewer comment messages responsive to the first interactive electronic document and directed to the stage from any and all of the plurality of viewer Web browsers by the moderator server via the wide area network; 
 receiving viewer interactive messages responsive to the first interactive electronic document and directed to the audience from any of the plurality of viewer Web browsers by the moderator server via the wide area network; 
 transmitting by the moderator server via the wide area network to the moderator Web browser the viewer comment messages directed to the stage; 
 receiving edited said viewer comment messages and a second set of moderator comments by the moderator server via the wide area network from the moderator Web browser; 
 receiving by the moderator server from the content server a second set of content signals; 
 generating by the moderator server a second interactive electronic document using including content generated from the second set of content signals, the edited viewer comment messages, the viewer interactive messages directed to the audience, and the second set of moderator comments; and 
 transmitting by the moderator server via the wide area network to the plurality of viewer Web browsers the second interactive electronic document, 
 wherein the viewer interactive messages directed to the audience are transmitted displayed via the audience portion and not via the stage portion, and the edited viewer comment messages and the second set of moderator comments are transmitted displayed via the stage portion, to provide the interactive program at the viewer clients with the look such that the second interactive electronic document, the viewer interactive messages, the edited viewer comment messages, and the second set of moderator comments are displayed in accordance with the at least one of the established graphics, background, layout, and interactive area. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the viewer comment messages directed to displayed via the stage portion further include an interactive program rating signal corresponding to a viewer web Browser subjective rating of the interactive programming content. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein further comprising: 
 the moderator comments further includereceiving by the moderator server a viewer exclusion signal corresponding to a specific viewer Web browser fromone of the plurality of viewer Web browsers,; and 
 the generating by the moderator server of the second interactive electronic document further includes usingin response to the viewer exclusion signal to exclude the, preventing viewer comment messages received from the specific one of the plurality of viewer Web browserbrowsers from being displayed. 
 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein further comprising: 
 the second set of moderator comments further includereceiving by the moderator server a viewer invitation signal corresponding to a specific viewer Web browser fromone of the plurality of viewer Web browsers, and,  
 the generating by the moderator server of the second interactive electronic document further includes using the viewer invitation signal, wherein in response to the viewer invitation signal, inviting the specific one of the plurality of viewer Web browser is invitedbrowsers to join the stage with the moderator Web browserby the viewer invitation signal,; and   corresponding ones of thedisplaying viewer interactive messages directed to the audience offrom the specific one of the plurality of viewer Web browser are transmittedbrowsers via the stage portion when the specific one of the plurality of viewer Web browserbrowsers is on the stage.   
 
     
     
       5. A method for creating and transmitting an interactive program comprising an audience portion and a stage portion, hosted by a moderator client on a stage, to an audience comprising a plurality of viewer clients over a communications network, comprising:
 providing an interactive program creation tool, the interactive program creation tool including a moderator interface for the moderator client;  
 operably coupling the moderator client to a moderator server via the communications network; 
 operably coupling the plurality of viewer clients to the moderator server via the communications network; 
 providing the moderator interface at the moderator client, the moderator interface including one or more interactive elements to enable a user of the moderator client to create a look for the interactive program by establishing at least one of graphics, a background, a layout, and an interactive area;  
 receiving participant comment signals corresponding to participant comments directed to the stage from any and all of the plurality of viewer clients by the moderator server via the communications network; 
 receiving audience interactive signals corresponding to audience interactive messages directed to the audience from any of the plurality of viewer clients by the moderator server via the communications network; 
 transmitting by the moderator server via the communications network to the moderator client the participant comment signals directed to the stage; 
 receiving edited participant comment signals and moderator signals by the moderator server via the communications network from the moderator client; 
 generating interactive program signals by the moderator server using the edited participant comment signals, the audience interactive signals directed to the audience, and the moderator signals; and 
 transmitting by the moderator server via the communications network to the plurality of viewer clients the interactive program signals, 
 wherein the audience interactive messages corresponding to the audience interactive signals directed to the audience are transmitted displayed via the audience portion and not via the stage portion, and edited participant comment messages corresponding to the edited participant comment signals and moderator comments corresponding to the moderator signals are transmitted displayed via the stage portion, to provide the interactive program at the viewer clients with the look such that the audience interactive messages corresponding to the audience interactive signals, the edited participant comment messages corresponding to the edited participant comment signals, and the moderator comments corresponding to the moderator signals are displayed in accordance with the at least one of the established graphics, background, layout, and interactive area. 
 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the generating of the interactive program signals further includes:
 receiving content signals by the moderator server from a content server; and 
 generating by the moderator server the interactive program signals using the content signals, the edited participant comment signals, the audience interactive signals directed to the audience, and the moderator signals. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the participant comment signals directed to the stage further include an interactive program rating signal corresponding to a viewer client subjective rating of the interactive program. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 5 , wherein
 the moderator signals further include a viewer exclusion signal corresponding to a specific viewer client from one of the plurality of viewer clients, and 
 the generating of the interactive program signals further includes using the viewer exclusion signal to exclude the participant comments received from the specific one of the plurality of viewer client clients. 
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 5 , wherein
 the moderator signals further include a viewer invitation signal corresponding to a specific viewer client from one of the plurality of viewer clients, and 
 the generating of the interactive program signals further includes using the viewer invitation signal, wherein
 the specific one of the plurality of viewer client clients is invited to join the stage with the moderator client by in response to the viewer invitation signal, and 
 audience interactive messages corresponding ones of the audience interactive signals directed to the audience of the specific viewer client are transmitted displayed via the stage portion when the specific one of the plurality of viewer client clients is on the stage. 
 
 
     
     
       10. A moderator server for creating and transmitting an interactive program comprising an audience portion and a stage portion, hosted by a moderator Web browser on a stage, to an audience comprising a plurality of viewer Web browsers, the plurality of viewer Web browsers, the moderator Web browser, and a content server being operably coupled to the moderator server via a wide area network, the moderator server comprising:
 a processor; and 
 a memory operably coupled to the processor and having program instructions stored therein, the processor being operable to execute the program instructions, the program instructions including:
 providing an interactive program creation tool, the interactive program creation tool including a moderator interface for the moderator Web browser; 
 providing the moderator interface at the moderator Web browser, the moderator interface including one or more interactive elements to enable a user of the moderator Web browser to create a look for the interactive program by establishing at least one of graphics, a background, a layout, and an interactive area;  
 receiving by the moderator server from the content server a first set of content signals; 
 receiving by the moderator server via the wide area network from the moderator Web browser a first set of moderator comments comment signals; 
 generating by the moderator server a first interactive electronic document using including content generated from the first set of content signals and moderator comments generated from the first set of moderator comments comment signals; 
 transmitting by the moderator server via the wide area network to the plurality of viewer Web browsers the first interactive electronic document; 
 receiving viewer comment messages responsive to the first interactive electronic document and directed to the stage from any and all of the plurality of viewer Web browsers by the moderator server via the wide area network; 
 receiving viewer interactive messages responsive to the first interactive electronic document and directed to the audience from any of the plurality of viewer Web browsers by the moderator server via the wide area network; 
 transmitting by the moderator server via the wide area network to the moderator Web browser the viewer comment messages directed to the stage; 
 
 receiving edited said viewer comment messages and a second set of moderator comments comment signals by the moderator server via the wide area network from the moderator Web browser;
 receiving by the moderator server from the content server a second set of content signals; 
 generating by the moderator server a second interactive electronic document using including content generated from the second set of content signals, the edited viewer comment messages, the viewer interactive messages directed to the audience, and the second set of moderator comments; and 
 transmitting by the moderator server via the wide area network to the plurality of viewer Web browsers the second interactive electronic document, 
 wherein the viewer interactive messages directed to the audience are transmitted displayed via the audience portion and not via the stage portion, and the edited viewer comment messages and the second set of moderator comments are transmitted displayed via the stage portion, to provide the interactive program at the viewer Web browsers with the look such that the second interactive electronic document, the viewer interactive messages, the edited viewer comment messages, and the second set of moderator comments are displayed in accordance with the at least one of the established graphics, background, layout, and interactive area. 
 
 
     
     
       11. The moderator server of  claim 10 , wherein the viewer comment messages directed to displayed via the stage portion further include an interactive program rating signal corresponding to a viewer web Browser subjective rating of the interactive program. 
     
     
       12. The moderator server of  claim 10 , wherein further comprising: 
 receiving by the moderator comments further includeserver a viewer exclusion signal corresponding to a specific viewer Web browser fromone of the plurality of viewer Web browsers,; and 
 the program instructions for the generating by the moderator server of the second interactive electronic document further include usingin response to the viewer exclusion signalto exclude, preventing the viewer comment messages received from the specific one of the plurality of viewer Web browserbrowsers from being displayed. 
 
     
     
       13. The moderator server of  claim 10 , wherein further comprising: 
 the second set of moderator comments further includereceiving by the moderator server a viewer invitation signal corresponding to a specific viewer Web browser fromone of the plurality of viewer Web browsers, and;  
 the program instructions for the generating by the moderator server of the second interactive electronic document further include using the viewer invitation signal, wherein in response to the viewer invitation signal, inviting, by the moderator server, the specific one of the plurality of viewer Web browser is invitedbrowsers to join the stage with the moderator Web browserby the viewer invitation signal,; and   corresponding ones ofdisplaying the viewer interactive messages directed to the audience offrom the specific one of the plurality of viewer Web browser are transmittedbrowsers via the stage portion when the specific one of the plurality of viewer Web browserbrowsers is on the stage.   
 
     
     
       14. A data processing system adapted for creating and transmitting an interactive program comprising an audience portion and a stage portion, hosted by a moderator client on a stage, to an audience comprising a plurality of viewer clients via a communications network, the data processing system comprising a moderator server, the moderator server comprising:
 a processor; and 
 a memory operably coupled to the processor and having program instructions stored therein, the processor being operable to execute the program instructions, the program instructions including:
 providing an interactive program creation tool, the interactive program creation tool including a moderator interface for the moderator client; 
 providing the moderator interface at the moderator client, the moderator interface including one or more interactive elements to enable a user of the moderator client to create a look for the interactive program by establishing at least one of graphics, a background, a layout, and an interactive area;  
 receiving participant comment signals corresponding to participant comments directed to the stage from any and all of the plurality of viewer clients by the moderator server via the communications network; 
 receiving audience interactive signals corresponding to audience interactive messages directed to the audience from any of the plurality of viewer clients by the moderator server via the communications network; 
 transmitting by the moderator server via the communications network to the moderator client the participant comment signalsdirected to the stage; 
 receiving edited participant comment signals and moderator signals by the moderator server via the communications network from the moderator client; 
 generating interactive program signals by the moderator server using the edited participant comment signals, the audience interactive signals directed to the audience, and the moderator signals; and 
 transmitting by the moderator server via the communications network to the plurality of viewer clients the interactive program signals, 
 wherein the audience interactive messages corresponding to the audience interactive signals directed to the audience are transmitted displayed via the audience portion and not via the stage portion, and edited participant comment messages corresponding to the edited participant comment signals and moderator comments corresponding to the moderator signals are transmitted displayed via the stage portion, to provide the interactive program at the viewer clients with the look such that the audience interactive messages corresponding to the audience interactive signals, the edited participant comments corresponding to the edited participant comment signals, and the moderator comments corresponding to the moderator signals are displayed in accordance with the at least one of the established graphics, background, layout, and interactive area. 
 
 
     
     
       15. The data processing system of  claim 14 , wherein the program instructions for the generating of the interactive program signals further include:
 receiving content signals by the moderator server from a content server; and 
 generating by the moderator server the interactive program signals using the content signals, the edited participant comment signals, the audience interactive signalsdirected to the audience, and the moderator signals. 
 
     
     
       16. The data processing system of  claim 14 , wherein the participant comment signals directed to the stage further include an interactive program rating signal corresponding to a viewer client subjective rating of the interactive program. 
     
     
       17. The data processing system of  claim 14 , wherein
 the moderator signals further include a viewer exclusion signal corresponding to a specific viewer client from one of the plurality of viewer clients, and 
 the program instructions for the generating of the interactive program signals further include using the viewer exclusion signal to exclude the participant comments received from the specific one of the plurality of viewer client clients. 
 
     
     
       18. The data processing system of  claim 14 , wherein
 the moderator signals further include a viewer invitation signal corresponding to a specific viewer client from one of the plurality of viewer clients, and 
 the program instructions for the generating of the interactive program signals further include using the viewer invitation signal, wherein
 the specific one of the plurality of viewer client clients is invited to join the stage with the moderator client by in response to the viewer invitation signal, and 
 audience interactive messages corresponding ones of theto audience interactive signals directed to the audience offrom the specific one of the plurality of viewer clientclients are transmitteddisplayed via the stage portion when the specific one of the plurality of viewer clientclients is on the stage. 
 
 
     
     
       19. A method for creating and transmitting interactive programming content comprising an audience portion and a stage portion, hosted by a moderator client on a stage, to an audience comprising a plurality of viewer clients over a communication network, comprising:
 providing an interactive program creation tool, the interactive program creation tool including a moderator interface for the moderator client;   operably coupling a moderator server to the communication network;   operably coupling a content server to the moderator server;   operably coupling the moderator client to the moderator server via the communication network;   providing the moderator interface at the moderator client, the moderator interface including one or more interactive elements to enable a user of the moderator client to create a look for the interactive programming content by establishing at least one of graphics, a background, a layout, and an interactive area;   receiving by the moderator server from the content server a first set of content signals;   receiving by the moderator server via the communication network from the moderator client a first set of moderator comment signals;   generating by the moderator server a first content including content generated from the first set of content signals and moderator comments generated from the first set of moderator comment signals;   transmitting by the moderator server via the communication network to the plurality of viewer clients the first content;   receiving viewer comment messages responsive to the first content and directed to the stage from any and all of the plurality of viewer clients by the moderator server via the communication network;   receiving viewer messages responsive to the first content and directed to the audience from any of the plurality of viewer clients by the moderator server via the communication network;   transmitting by the moderator server via the communication network to the moderator client the viewer comment messages directed to the stage;   receiving edited said viewer comment messages and a second set of moderator comments by the moderator server via the communication network from the moderator client;   receiving by the moderator server from the content server a second set of content signals;   generating by the moderator server a second content using the second set of content signals, the edited viewer comment messages, the viewer messages directed to the audience, and the second set of moderator comments; and   transmitting by the moderator server via the communication network to the plurality of viewer clients the second content,   wherein the viewer messages directed to the audience are displayed via the audience portion and not via the stage portion, and the edited viewer comment messages and the second set of moderator comments are displayed via the stage portion, to provide the interactive programming content at the viewer clients with the look such that the second content, the viewer messages, the edited viewer comment messages, and the second set of moderator comments are displayed in accordance with the at least one of the established graphics, background, layout, and interactive area.    
     
     
       20. The method of claim 19, wherein the viewer comment messages directed to the stage further include an interactive program rating corresponding to a viewer rating of the interactive programming content.  
     
     
       21. The method of claim 19, further comprising:
 receiving by the moderator server a viewer exclusion signal corresponding to a specific one of the plurality of viewer clients; and   in response to the viewer exclusion signal, preventing, by the moderator server, viewer comment messages received from the specific one of the plurality of viewer clients from being displayed.    
     
     
       22. The method of claim 19, further comprising:
 receiving by the moderator server a viewer invitation signal corresponding to a specific one of the plurality of viewer clients;   in response to the viewer invitation signal, inviting, by the moderator server, the specific one of the plurality of viewer clients to join the stage with the moderator client; and   displaying viewer messages from the specific one of the plurality of viewer clients via the stage portion when the specific one of the plurality of viewer clients is on the stage.    
     
     
       23. A method for creating and transmitting an interactive program comprising an audience portion and a stage portion, hosted by a moderator client on a stage, to an audience comprising a plurality of viewer clients over a communications network, comprising:
 providing an interactive program creation tool, the interactive program creation tool including a moderator interface for the moderator client;   operably coupling the moderator client to a moderator server via the communications network;   providing the moderator interface at the moderator client, the moderator interface including one or more interactive elements to enable a user of the moderator client to create a look for the interactive program by establishing at least one of graphics, a background, a layout, and an interactive area;   receiving participant comment signals corresponding to participant comments directed to the stage from any and all of the plurality of viewer clients by the moderator server via the communications network;   receiving audience interactive signals corresponding to audience interactive messages directed to the audience from any of the plurality of viewer clients by the moderator server via the communications network;   transmitting by the moderator server via the communications network to the moderator client the participant comment signals;   receiving edited participant comment signals and moderator signals by the moderator server via the communications network from the moderator client;   generating interactive program signals by the moderator server using the edited participant comment signals, the audience interactive signals, and the moderator signals; and   transmitting by the moderator server via the communications network to the plurality of viewer clients the interactive program signals,   wherein the audience interactive messages corresponding to the audience interactive signals are displayed via the audience portion and not via the stage portion, and edited participant comments corresponding to the edited participant comment signals and moderator comments corresponding to the moderator signals are displayed via the stage portion, to provide the interactive program at the viewer clients with the look such that the audience interactive messages corresponding to the audience interactive signals, the edited participant comments corresponding to the edited participant comment signals, and the moderator comments corresponding to the moderator signals are displayed in accordance with the at least one of the established graphics, background, layout, and interactive area.    
     
     
       24. The method of claim 23, wherein the generating of the interactive program signals further includes:
 receiving content signals by the moderator server from a content server; and   generating by the moderator server the interactive program signals using the content signals, the edited participant comment signals, the audience interactive signals, and the moderator signals.    
     
     
       25. The method of claim 23, wherein the participant comment signals further include an interactive program rating signal corresponding to a viewer rating of the interactive program.  
     
     
       26. The method of claim 23, wherein
 the moderator signals further include a viewer exclusion signal corresponding to a specific one of the plurality of viewer clients, and   the generating of the interactive program signals further includes using the viewer exclusion signal to exclude the participant comments received from the specific one of the plurality of viewer clients.    
     
     
       27. The method of claim 23, wherein
 the moderator signals further include a viewer invitation signal corresponding to a specific viewer client from the plurality of viewer clients, and   the generating of the interactive program signals further includes using the viewer invitation signal, wherein   the specific one of the plurality of viewer clients is invited to join the stage with the moderator client by the viewer invitation signal, and   viewer messages from the specific one of the plurality of viewer clients are displayed via the stage portion when the specific one of the plurality of viewer clients is on the stage.    
     
     
       28. A moderator server for creating and transmitting an interactive program comprising an audience portion and a stage portion, hosted by a moderator client on a stage, to an audience comprising a plurality of viewer clients, the plurality of viewer clients, the moderator client, and a content server being operably coupled to the moderator server via a communication network, the moderator server comprising:
 a processor; and   a memory operably coupled to the processor and having program instructions stored therein, the processor being operable to execute the program instructions, the program instructions including:   providing an interactive program creation tool, the interactive program creation tool including a moderator interface for the moderator client;   providing the moderator interface at the moderator client, the moderator interface including one or more interactive elements to enable a user of the moderator client to create a look for the interactive program by establishing a least one of graphics, a background, a layout, and an interactive area;   receiving by the moderator server from the content server a first set of content signals;   receiving by the moderator server via the communication network from the moderator client a first set of moderator comment signals;   generating by the moderator server a first content including content generated from the first set of content signals and moderator comments generated from the first set of moderator comment signals;   transmitting by the moderator server via the communication network to the plurality of viewer clients the first content;   receiving viewer comment messages responsive to the first content and directed to the stage from any and all of the plurality of viewer clients by the moderator server via the communication network;   receiving viewer messages responsive to the first content and directed to the audience from any of the plurality of viewer clients by the moderator server via the communication network;   transmitting by the moderator server via the communication network to the moderator client the viewer comment messages directed to the stage;   receiving edited said viewer comment messages and a second set of moderator comments by the moderator server via the communication network from the moderator client;   receiving by the moderator server from the content server a second set of content signals;   generating by the moderator server a second content using the second set of content signals, the edited viewer comment messages, the viewer messages directed to the audience, and the second set of moderator comments; and   transmitting by the moderator server via the communication network to the plurality of viewer clients the second content,   wherein the viewer messages directed to the audience are displayed via the audience portion and not via the stage portion, and the edited viewer comment messages and the second set of moderator comments are displayed via the stage portion, to provide the interactive program at the viewer clients with the look such that the second content, the viewer messages, the edited viewer comment messages, and the second set of moderator comments are displayed in accordance with the at least one of the established graphics, background, layout, and interactive area.    
     
     
       29. The moderator server of claim 28, wherein the viewer comment messages directed to the stage portion further include an interactive program rating corresponding to a viewer rating of the interactive program.  
     
     
       30. The moderator server of claim 28, wherein
 the moderator comment signals further include a viewer exclusion signal corresponding to a specific one of the plurality of viewer clients, and   the program instructions for the generating by the moderator server of the second content further include, in response to the viewer exclusion signal, preventing the viewer comment messages received from the specific one of the plurality of viewer clients from being displayed.    
     
     
       31. The moderator server of claim 28, wherein
 the second set of moderator comment signals further include a viewer invitation signal corresponding to a specific one of the plurality of viewer clients, and   the program instructions for the generating by the moderator server of the second content further include, in response to the viewer invitation signal,   inviting the specific one of the plurality of viewer clients is to join the stage with the moderator client, and   displaying viewer messages from the specific one of the plurality of viewer clients via the stage portion when the specific one of the plurality of viewer clients is on the stage.    
     
     
       32. A data processing system adapted for creating and transmitting an interactive program comprising an audience portion and a stage portion, hosted by a moderator client on a stage, to an audience comprising a plurality of viewer clients via a communications network, the data processing system comprising a moderator server, the moderator server comprising:
 a processor; and   a memory operably coupled to the processor and having program instructions stored therein, the processor being operable to execute the program instructions, the program instructions including:   providing an interactive program creation tool, the interactive program creation tool including a moderator interface for the moderator client;   providing the moderator interface at the moderator client, the moderator interface including one or more interactive elements to enable a user of the moderator client to create a look for the interactive program by establishing at least one of graphics, a background, a layout, and an interactive area;   receiving participant comment signals corresponding to participant comments directed to the stage from any and all of the plurality of viewer clients by the moderator server via the communications network;   receiving audience interactive signals corresponding to audience interactive messages directed to the audience from any of the plurality of viewer clients by the moderator server via the communications network;   transmitting by the moderator server via the communications network to the moderator client the participant comment signals;   receiving edited said participant comment signals and moderator signals by the moderator server via the communications network from the moderator client;   generating interactive program signals by the moderator server using the participant comment signals, the edited participant comment signals, the audience interactive signals directed to the audience, and the moderator signals; and   transmitting by the moderator server via the communications network to the plurality of viewer clients the interactive program signals,   wherein the audience interactive message corresponding to the audience interactive signals are displayed via the audience portion and not via the stage portion, and edited participant comments corresponding to the edited participant comment signals and moderator comments corresponding to the moderator signals are displayed via the stage portion, to provide the interactive program at the viewer clients with the look such that the audience interactive messages corresponding to the audience interactive signals, the edited participant comments corresponding to the edited participant comment signals, and the moderator comments corresponding to the moderator signals are displayed in accordance with the at least one of the established graphics, background, layout, and interactive area.    
     
     
       33. The data processing system of claim 32, wherein the program instructions for the generating of the interactive program signals further include:
 receiving content signals by the moderator server from a content server; and   generating by the moderator server the interactive program signals using the content signals, the edited participant comment signals, the audience interactive signals, and the moderator signals.    
     
     
       34. The data processing system of claim 32, wherein the participant comment signals further include an interactive program rating signal corresponding to a viewer rating of the interactive program.  
     
     
       35. The data processing system of claim 32, wherein
 the moderator signals further include a viewer exclusion signal corresponding to a specific one of the plurality of viewer clients, and   the program instructions for the generating of the interactive program signals further include using the viewer exclusion signal to exclude the participant comments received from the specific one of the plurality of viewer clients.    
     
     
       36. The data processing system of claim 32, wherein
 the moderator signals further include a viewer invitation signal corresponding to a specific viewer client from the plurality of viewer clients, and   the program instructions for the generating of the interactive program signals further include using the viewer invitation signal, wherein   the specific one of the plurality of viewer clients is invited to join the stage with the moderator client by the viewer invitation signal, and   viewer messages from the specific one of the plurality of viewer clients are transmitted via the stage portion when the specific one of the plurality of viewer clients is on the stage.    
     
     
       37. A method for creating and transmitting interactive programming content comprising an audience portion and a stage portion, hosted by a moderator client on a stage, to an audience comprising a plurality of viewer clients over a communication network, comprising:
 providing an interactive program creation tool, the interactive program creation tool including a moderator interface for the moderator client;   operably coupling a moderator server to the communication network;   operably coupling a content server to the moderator server;   operably coupling the moderator client to the moderator server via the communication network;   operably coupling the plurality of viewer clients to the moderator server via the communication network;   providing the moderator interface at the moderator client, the moderator interface including one or more interactive elements to enable a user of the moderator client to create a look for the interactive programming content by establishing at least one of graphics, a background, a layout, and an interactive area;   receiving by the moderator server from the content server a first set of content signals;   receiving by the moderator server via the communication network from the moderator client a first set of moderator comment signals;   generating by the moderator server a first content including content generated from the first set of content signals and moderator comments generated from the first set of moderator comment signals;   transmitting by the moderator server via the communication network to the plurality of viewer clients the first content;   receiving viewer comment messages responsive to the first content and directed to the stage from any and all of the plurality of viewer clients by the moderator server via the communication network;   receiving viewer messages responsive to the first content and directed to the audience from any of the plurality of viewer clients by the moderator server via the communication network;   transmitting by the moderator server via the communication network to the moderator client the viewer comment messages directed to the stage;   receiving edited said viewer comment messages and a second set of moderator comments by the moderator server via the communication network from the moderator client;   receiving by the moderator server from the content server a second set of content signals;   generating by the moderator server a second content using the second set of content signals, the edited viewer comment messages, the viewer messages directed to the audience, and the second set of moderator comments; and   transmitting by the moderator server via the communication network to the plurality of viewer clients the second content,   wherein the viewer messages directed to the audience are displayed via the audience portion and not via the stage portion, and the edited viewer comment messages and the second set of moderator comments are displayed via the stage portion, to provide the interactive programming content at the viewer clients with the look such that the second content, the viewer messages, and the edited viewer comment messages are displayed in accordance with the at least one of the established graphics, background, layout, and interactive area.    
     
     
       38. The method of claim 37, wherein the viewer comment messages directed to the stage further include an interactive program rating signal corresponding to a viewer rating of the interactive programming content.  
     
     
       39. The method of claim 37, further comprising:
 receiving by the moderator server a viewer exclusion signal corresponding to a specific one of the plurality of viewer clients; and   in response to the viewer exclusion signal, preventing, by the moderator server, viewer comment messages received from the specific one of the plurality of viewer clients from being displayed.    
     
     
       40. The method of claim 37, further comprising:
 receiving by the moderator server a viewer invitation signal corresponding to a specific one of the plurality of viewer clients;   in response to the viewer invitation signal, inviting, by the moderator server, the specific one of the plurality of viewer clients to join the stage with the moderator client; and   displaying viewer messages from the specific one of the plurality of viewer clients via the stage portion when the specific one of the plurality of viewer clients is on the stage.    
     
     
       41. A method for creating and transmitting an interactive program comprising an audience portion and a stage portion, hosted by a moderator client on a stage, to an audience comprising a plurality of viewer clients over a communications network, comprising:
 providing an interactive program creation tool, the interactive program creation tool including a moderator interface for the moderator client;   operably coupling the moderator client to a moderator server via the communications network;   operably coupling the plurality of viewer clients to the moderator server via the communications network;   providing the moderator interface to the moderator client, the moderator interface including one or more interactive elements to enable a user of the moderator client to create a look for the interactive program by establishing at least one of graphics, a background, a layout, and an interactive area;   receiving participant comment signals corresponding to participant comments directed to the stage from any and all of the plurality of viewer clients by the moderator server via the communications network;   receiving audience interactive signals corresponding to audience interactive messages directed to the audience from any of the plurality of viewer clients by the moderator server via the communications network;   transmitting by the moderator server via the communications network to the moderator client the participant comment signals directed to the stage;   receiving edited participant comment signals and moderator signals by the moderator server via the communications network from the moderator client;   generating interactive program signals by the moderator server using the edited participant comment signals, the audience interactive signals directed to the audience, and the moderator signals; and   transmitting by the moderator server via the communications network to the plurality of viewer clients the interactive program signals,   wherein the audience interactive messages corresponding to the audience interactive signals are displayed via the audience portion and not via the stage portion, and edited participant comments corresponding to the edited participant comment signals and moderator comments corresponding to the moderator signals are via the stage portion, to provide the interactive program at the viewer clients with the look such that the audience messages corresponding to the audience interactive signals and the edited participant comments corresponding to the edited participant comment signals are displayed in accordance with the at least one of the established graphics, background, layout, and interactive area.    
     
     
       42. The method of claim 41, wherein the generating of the interactive program signals further includes:
 receiving content signals by the moderator server from a content server; and   generating by the moderator server the interactive program signals using the content signals, the edited participant comment signals, the audience interactive signals, and the moderator signals.    
     
     
       43. The method of claim 41, wherein the participant comment signals further include an interactive program rating signal corresponding to a viewer rating of the interactive program.  
     
     
       44. The method of claim 41, wherein
 the moderator signals further include a viewer exclusion signal corresponding to a specific one of the plurality of viewer clients, and   the generating of the interactive program signals further includes using the viewer exclusion signal to exclude participant comments received from the specific one of the plurality of viewer clients.    
     
     
       45. The method of claim 41, wherein
 the moderator signals further include a viewer invitation signal corresponding to a specific one of the plurality of viewer clients, and   the generating of the interactive program signals further includes using the viewer invitation signal, wherein   the specific one of the plurality of viewer clients is invited to join the stage with the moderator client in response to the viewer invitation signal, and   viewer messages from the specific one of the plurality of viewer clients are displayed via the stage portion when the specific one of the plurality of viewer clients is on the stage.    
     
     
       46. A moderator server for creating and transmitting an interactive program comprising an audience portion and a stage portion, hosted by a moderator client on a stage, to an audience comprising a plurality of viewer clients, the plurality of viewer clients, the moderator client, and a content server being operably coupled to the moderator server via a communication network, the moderator server comprising:
 a processor; and   a memory operably coupled to the processor and having program instructions stored therein, the processor being operable to execute the program instructions, the program instructions including:   providing an interactive program creation tool, the interactive program creation tool including a moderator interface for the moderator client;   providing the moderator interface at the moderator client, the moderator interface including one or more interactive elements to enable the user of the moderator client to create a look for the interactive program by establishing at least one of graphics, a background, a layout, and an interactive area;   receiving by the moderator server from the content server a first set of content signals;   receiving by the moderator server via the communication network from the moderator client a first set of moderator comment signals;   generating by the moderator server a first content including content generated from the first set of content signals and moderator comments generated from the first set of moderator comment signals;   transmitting by the moderator server via the communication network to the plurality of viewer clients the first content;   receiving viewer comment messages responsive to the first content and directed to the stage from any and all of the plurality of viewer clients by the moderator server via the communication network;   receiving viewer messages responsive to the first content and directed to the audience from any of the plurality of viewer clients by the moderator server via the communication network;   transmitting by the moderator server via the communication network to the moderator client the viewer comment messages directed to the stage;   receiving edited said viewer comment messages and a second set of moderator comments by the moderator server via the communication network from the moderator client;   receiving by the moderator server from the content server a second set of content signals;   generating by the moderator server a second content using the second set of content signals, the edited viewer comment messages, the viewer messages directed to the audience, and the second set of moderator comments; and   transmitting by the moderator server via the communication network to the plurality of viewer clients the second content,   wherein the viewer messages directed to the audience are displayed via the audience portion and not via the stage portion, and the edited viewer comment messages and the second set of moderator comments are displayed via the stage portion, to provide the interactive program at the viewer clients with the look such that the second content, the viewer messages and the edited viewer comment messages are displayed in accordance with the at least one of the established graphics, background, layout, and interactive area.    
     
     
       47. The moderator server of claim 46, wherein the viewer comment messages directed to the stage further include an interactive program rating corresponding to a viewer rating of the interactive program.  
     
     
       48. The moderator server of claim 46, wherein
 the moderator comment signals further include a viewer exclusion signal corresponding to a specific one of the plurality of viewer clients, and   the program instructions for the generating by the moderator server of the second content further include, in response to the viewer exclusion signal, preventing viewer comment messages received from the specific one of the plurality of viewer clients from being displayed.    
     
     
       49. The moderator server of claim 46, wherein
 the second set of moderator comment signals further include a viewer invitation signal corresponding to a specific one of the plurality of viewer clients, and   the program instructions for the generating by the moderator server of the second content further include, in response to the viewer invitation signal,   inviting the specific one of the plurality of viewer clients to join the stage with the moderator client, and   displaying viewer messages from the specific one of the plurality of viewer client via the stage portion when the specific one of the plurality of viewer clients is on the stage.    
     
     
       50. A data processing system adapted for creating and transmitting an interactive program comprising an audience portion and a stage portion, hosted by a moderator client on a stage, to an audience comprising a plurality of viewer clients via a communications network, the data processing system comprising a moderator server, the moderator server comprising:
 a processor; and   a memory operably coupled to the processor and having program instructions stored therein, the processor being operable to execute the program instructions, the program instructions including:   providing an interactive program creation tool, the interactive program creation tool including a moderator interface for the moderator client;   providing the moderator interface at the moderator client, the moderator interface including one or more interactive elements to enable the user of the moderator client to customize a look for the interactive program by establishing at least one of graphics, a background, a layout, and an interactive area;   receiving participant comment signals corresponding to participant comments directed to the stage from any and all of the plurality of viewer clients by the moderator server via the communications network;   receiving audience interactive signals corresponding to audience interactive messages directed to the audience from any of the plurality of viewer clients by the moderator server via the communications network;   transmitting by the moderator server via the communications network to the moderator client the participant comment signals;   receiving edited participant comment signals and moderator signals by the moderator server via the communications network from the moderator client;   generating interactive program signals by the moderator server using the edited participant comment signals, the audience interactive signals directed to the audience, and the moderator signals; and   transmitting by the moderator server via the communications network to the plurality of viewer clients the interactive program signals,   wherein the audience interactive messages corresponding to the audience interactive signals are displayed via the audience portion and not via the stage portion, and edited participant comments corresponding to the edited participant comment signals and moderator comments corresponding to the moderator signals are displayed via the stage portion, to provide the interactive program at the viewer clients with the look such that the audience messages corresponding to the audience interactive signals and the edited participant comments corresponding to the edited participant comments signals are displayed in accordance with the at least one of the established graphics, background, layout, and interactive area.    
     
     
       51. The data processing system of claim 50, wherein the program instructions for the generating of the interactive program signals further include:
 receiving content signals by the moderator server from a content server; and   generating by the moderator server the interactive program signals using the content signals, the edited participant comment signals, the audience interactive signals, and the moderator signals.    
     
     
       52. The data processing system of claim 50, wherein the participant comment signals further include an interactive program rating signal corresponding to a viewer rating of the interactive program.  
     
     
       53. The data processing system of claim 50, wherein
 the moderator signals further include a viewer exclusion signal corresponding to a specific one of the plurality of viewer clients, and   the program instructions for the generating of the interactive program signals further include using the viewer exclusion signal to exclude the participant comments received from the specific one of the plurality of viewer clients.    
     
     
       54. The data processing system of claim 50, wherein
 the moderator signals further include a viewer invitation signal corresponding to a specific one of the plurality of viewer clients, and   the program instructions for the generating of the interactive program signals further include, in response to the viewer invitation signal,   inviting the specific one of the plurality of viewer clients to join the stage with the moderator client, and   displaying viewer messages from the specific one of the plurality of viewer clients via the stage portion when the specific one of the plurality of viewer clients is on the stage.    
     
     
       55. A system for providing an interactive program comprising an audience portion and a stage portion to a plurality of viewers via a communications network, the interactive program being hosted by a moderator operating a moderator client on a stage, the system comprising:
 a processor; and   a memory operably coupled to the processor and having program instructions stored therein, the processor being operable to execute the program instructions to cause the system to:   provide an interactive program creation tool, the interactive program creation tool including a moderator interface for the moderator client;   display the moderator interface at the moderator client, the moderator interface including one or more interactive elements to enable the moderator to create a look for the interactive program by establishing at least one of graphics, a background, a layout, and an interactive area;   receive via the communications network participant comment signals corresponding to participant comments directed to the stage from any and all of the plurality of viewers by a moderator server;   receive via the communications network audience interactive signals corresponding to audience interactive messages directed to the audience from any of the plurality of viewers by the moderator server;   receive via the communications network moderator signals from the moderator client;   transmitting via the communications network the participant comment signals directed to the moderator client;   receive via the communications network edited participant comment signals and moderator signals by the moderator server via the communications network from the moderator client;   generate interactive program signals using the edited participant comment signals, the audience interactive signals, and the moderator signals; and   transmit via the communications network to a plurality of viewer clients operated by the viewers the interactive program signals to cause the plurality of viewer clients to display the audience interactive messages corresponding to the audience interactive signals via an audience portion and not via a stage portion of the interactive program, and display edited participant comment messages corresponding to the edited participant comment signals and moderator comments corresponding to the moderator signals via the stage portion of the interactive program, to provide the interactive program at the viewers with the look such that the messages and the comments are displayed in accordance with the at least one of the established graphics, background, layout, and interactive area.    
     
     
       56. The system of claim 55, wherein the processor is further operable to execute the program instructions to cause the system to:
 receive content signals from a content server; and   generate the interactive program signals using the content signals, the edited comment signals, the message signals, and the moderator signals.    
     
     
       57. The system of claim 55, wherein the comments include a viewer opinion of the interactive program.  
     
     
       58. The system of claim 55, wherein the program instructions further include program instructions for causing the system to prevent one or more of the comments and messages from being displayed by the viewer clients.  
     
     
       59. The system of claim 55, wherein the program instructions further include program instructions for causing the system to invite one of plurality of viewers to join the stage portion of the interactive program with the moderator and for causing messages from the invited viewer to be displayed by the viewer clients via the stage portion of the interactive program when the invited viewer has joined the stage portion of the interactive program.  
     
     
       60. A system for providing an interactive program comprising an audience portion and a stage portion to a plurality of viewers via a communications network, the interactive program being hosted by a moderator using a moderator client on a stage and including an audience portion and a stage portion, the system comprising:
 a processor; and   a memory operably coupled to the processor and having program instructions stored therein, the processor being operable to execute the program instructions to cause the system to:   provide an interactive program creation tool, the interactive program creation tool including a moderator interface for the moderator client;   display the moderator interface at the moderator client, the moderator interface including one or more interactive elements to enable the moderator to create a look for the interactive program by establishing at least one of graphics, a background, a layout, and an interactive area;   receive via the communications network from a content server first content signals;   receive via the communications network from the moderator client first moderator comments, the moderator client being operated by the moderator;   receive via the communications network audience interactive signals corresponding to audience interactive messages directed to the audience from any of the plurality of viewers by a moderator server;   generate first content using the first content signals and the first moderator comments;   transmit by the moderator server via the communications network to a plurality of viewer clients the first content, each of the plurality viewer clients being operated by one or more of respective ones of the plurality of viewers;   receive via the communications network, from any and all of the plurality of viewer clients, viewer reactions to the first content directed at the stage;   receive via the communications network from any of the plurality of viewer clients viewer messages;   transmit via the communications network to the moderator client the viewer reactions to the first content;   receive via the communications network from the moderator client second moderator comments and edited viewer reactions;   receive from the content server second content signals;   generate by the moderator server second content using the second content signals, the edited viewer reactions to the first content, the viewer messages, and the second moderator comments; and   transmit via the communications network to the plurality of viewer clients signals to cause the plurality of viewer clients to display the second content via a stage portion of the interactive program, display the edited viewer comment messages via an audience portion of the interactive program and not via the stage portion, and display the viewer reactions to the first content and the second moderator comments via the stage portion of the interactive program, to provide the interactive program at the viewers with the look such that the second content, the viewer messages, the viewer reactions are displayed in accordance with the at least one of the established graphics, background, layout, and interactive area.    
     
     
       61. The system of claim 60, wherein the viewer reactions include a viewer opinion of the interactive program.  
     
     
       62. The system of claim 60, wherein the program instructions further include program instructions for causing the system to prevent one or more of the viewer reactions and viewer messages from being displayed by the viewer clients.  
     
     
       63. The system of claim 60, wherein the program instructions further include program instructions for causing the system to invite one of the plurality of viewers to join the stage portion of the interactive program with the moderator and for causing viewer messages from the invited viewer to be displayed by the viewer clients via the stage portion of the interactive program when the invited viewer has joined the stage portion of the interactive program.  
     
     
       64. The system of claim 60, wherein the program instructions further include program instructions for causing the system to generate synchronization signals for the interactive program and to transmit the interactive program with the synchronization signals to the plurality of viewer clients to cause the plurality of viewer clients to display the non-interactive content with the interactive program in a synchronous manner.