A user on a cable network can request and receive a digital license for viewing certain requested content provided to the user at a set top box on the cable network. The set top box generates a request for a license to the Cable Service Provider, which screens the request, and if allowed, ascertains a Content Provider for fulfilling the request. The cables services provider forwards the request to the Content Provider, and receives a response thereto, which includes a license for viewing the previously requested content. The cable services provided forwards the license to the set top box, which processes the license allowing the user to view the requested content. Both the Cable Service Provider and the Content Provider screen and analyze the request against various criteria and record the information for future processing.