A receiving apparatus includes circuitry configured to receive a digital broadcast signal which uses an internet protocol (IP) transfer method. Based on control information included in the digital broadcast signal, the circuitry acquires at least one of a broadcast component or a communication component, and controls an operation of each section which performs a predetermined process relating to the acquired at least one component. The broadcast component and the communication component are associated with a component hierarchy including a first hierarchy level, a second hierarchy level, and a third hierarchy level for each component category.