there is disclosed an apparatus for updating a viewer profile stored in a digital television device . the apparatus comprises : 1 ) receiver circuitry for receiving audio - video data packets associated with a plurality of incoming television signals and extracting therefrom at least one data request data packet containing a first data request operable to retrieve a first requested profile datum from the stored viewer profile ; and 2 ) an update controller for receiving the at least one data request data packet from the receiver circuitry and determining if the first requested profile datum is present in the viewer profile , wherein the update controller , in response to a determination that the first requested profile datum is not present in the stored viewer profile , displays on an associated television screen information related to the first requested profile datum .