Systems and methods are provided that allow a user to register for selective notifications of one or more events that may occur on a channel in a media stream. When a registered event occurs, the system and method generates an event notification, which is delivered to the remotely-located media player. In response to the event notification, the media player can be automatically enabled and/or switched to the appropriate channel. Alternatively, the system and method may notify the user of the event, and give the user the option of enabling and/or switching the media player to the channel corresponding to the event. The system and method can be implemented to facilitate monitoring for a variety of different types. In each of these various types the user is able to select the events for which monitoring and notification will be provided.