A system and method for permitting users to receive desired/user-specific data or information, e.g., electronic mail or other user-subscribed services, e.g., for textual information, over the airwaves via a receiver, e.g., a digital receiver. In one embodiment, an authorization process is provided wherein the receiver includes a hard-coded user ID stored thereon for comparison with an input user ID encoded with user-specific data signals. A splitter permits simultaneous processing of e.g., radio frequency signals including user-specific information via an authorization path, as well as radio frequency signals having standard audio and/or audio/video information. The authorization path includes an out-of-band tuner and an authorizing means for authorizing user-specific data transmissions for retrieval by an authorized receiver.